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Andre Harrell, the music executive who launched Uptown Records and helped usher in a new era of hip-hop flavored soul and R&b, was laid to rest on Saturday (May 23) at George Washington Cemetery in Paramus, NJ. The funeral followed a celebration of his life at Vander Plaat-Caggiano Funeral Home in Fair Lawn, NJ. Harrell died on May 7 from heart disease-related issues.

Among the attendees were artists Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige, comedian Chris Rock and executives L.A. Reid and Lyor Cohen, according to local reports.

Participants included musical performers Jodeci and gospel icons BeBe and CeCe Winans. Remarks were made by Tracy Maitland, Cohen, Mark Siegel, Rock, Blige and the Rev. Al Sharpton in addition to Harrell’s son Gianni Credle-Harrell.

Harrell played a key role in launching the careers of P. Diddy, Blige, Teddy Riley, Heavy D, Jodeci and many others, which made a television tribute on Bet,...

Andre Harrell, whose Uptown Records is considered one of the key bridges between hip-hop and R&b, died of heart failure Thursday night at his West Hollywood home. He was 59 and his death was confirmed by his former wife.

Harrell was a key to the careers of Sean Combs, Mary J. Blige, Heavy D & The Boyz, and Jodeci, among many others. His label, Uptown Records, is remembered as one of the R&b giants of the 1990s, finding a niche as a home for artists who were sophisticated and smooth, yet retaining its street edge.

Andre O’Neal Harrell was born in the Bronx on Sep. 26, 1960. He graduated from Charles Evans Hughes High School in 1978, and attended Baruch College and Lehman College.

Harrell’s career started on the performing side. He was Dr. Jeckyll, half of the rap duo Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde, with high school friend Alonzo Brown. They had several hits,...