Quick Scoop

How Andre Harrell Died

Andre Harrell, the legendary music executive who founded Uptown Records and mentored Sean "Diddy" Combs, passed away from heart failure on May 7, 2020, at his home in West Hollywood, California. He was 59 years old when he died, and his ex-wife Wendy Credle confirmed that the cause of death was heart failure, noting that Harrell had been struggling with heart problems for some time.

The Circumstances of His Passing

The details surrounding Andre Harrell's death emerged gradually through family sources and close confidants. According to reports, Harrell was in the middle of a phone conversation when the call suddenly dropped. The person on the other end initially didn't think much of it, but when Harrell became unreachable by phone throughout the day, his inner circle grew concerned. His cousin eventually went to his home the following morning, used a spare key, and tragically discovered him dead.

The news of his passing was first announced publicly by DJ D-Nice during one of his popular "Club Quarantine" Instagram Live sets on May 8, 2020. The announcement sent shockwaves through the music industry, prompting an outpouring of tributes from artists, executives, and fans who recognized Harrell's monumental impact on hip-hop and R&B culture.

His Health History

  • Harrell had a documented history of heart problems leading up to his death
  • His ex-wife Wendy Credle publicly shared that he had been dealing with heart issues for an extended period
  • The official cause was confirmed as heart failure by family members
  • Despite his health challenges, his death came suddenly and unexpectedly to those close to him

His Legacy and Final Projects

At the time of his death, Andre Harrell was actively working on several exciting projects that would have further cemented his legendary status. In December 2019, BET Networks had ordered a miniseries about Uptown Records, which would chronicle the rise of the iconic label that launched the careers of Heavy D, Mary J. Blige, Sean "Diddy" Combs, and Jodeci. Harrell expressed tremendous enthusiasm about the project, stating he was "thrilled to partner with BET Networks and Jesse Collins Entertainment to share my story, the rise of Uptown Records and successful black entrepreneurship".

His funeral service was held on May 23, 2020, and was attended by music industry luminaries including Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, and L.A. Reid, reflecting the deep respect and love the entertainment community had for him. Andre left behind his son, Gianni.

Industry Response

The music world mourned the loss of one of its most visionary leaders. Universal Music Group, which confirmed his death, released a statement saying, "UMG and the entire music industry have lost a truly visionary member of our community and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones". John Legend paid tribute on social media, writing, "RIP Andre Harrell. Whether we knew it or not, he had such a huge influence on the R&B/hip-hop my generation grew up on".

TL;DR: Andre Harrell died from heart failure on May 7, 2020, at age 59 at his West Hollywood home. He had a history of heart problems and was found dead by his cousin after dropping off a phone call. The music industry lost a true visionary who shaped hip-hop and R&B culture through Uptown Records.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.