Andre Harrell Joints

By Jean Petit Jean

“My goal is to bring real black America — just as it is, not watered down — to people everywhere through music, through films, through everything we do,” Andre Harrell told The Los Angeles Times in 1992 after signing a $50 million deal with MCA for a new company, Uptown Entertainment. Harrell— who was also one half of the successful rap duo Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde— was interested in more than just music. He wanted to shape culture. That was the drive behind setting up Uptown Records. Harrell wasn’t satisfied with just making music as a rapper, he wanted to shape the culture of cool around the world. The success of juggernauts like Mary J. Blige and Sean Combs are clear markers of Harrell’s vision, and he can also be credited with paving the way for Jodeci and Heavy D, and Biggie who left Uptown for Bad Boy entertainment at the same time Puffy Daddy was leaving. 

Here are some of his classic performances and productions:

1. Genius Rap - Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
2. Genius of Love - Tom Tom club
3. Doing the Do - Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
4. You Remind me - Mary J. Blige
5. You Remind me (Remix) - Mary J. Blige
6. Strictly Business - LL Cool J
7. Let the People sing - Heavy D & the boyz
8. Let’s fly - Jodeci
9. A rapper’s love song -  Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
10. Magic - Robin Thicke 
11. Yellow Panties - Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde 
12.  Freshest Rhymes in the World - Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde