Memorable by Kevin Lyce of Andre Harrell 300 – Variety Var

Andre Harrell, a veteran music executive who died of a heart attack in May at the age of 59, played a major role in creating a changing culture around the world today, including hip-hop today – and all R&B, city and pop music through extensions. During her 30-plus year career, and especially the golden age of her uptown records, Harrell helped bring hip-hop to ward-up dynamics, launching careers like Mary J. Blize, Judy and New Jack Swing titled Guy, and Heavy D, but Shawn ( “Daddy” and “DD”) Combs, with whom he worked for many years, recently joined the Revolution Network and political activist Hee. Abe, both President Obama’s campaign and more recently, ২0২0 take part in the elections. (DD paid tribute to Harrell on Monday, and public figures from Mariah Carey to Orange Harris did so on the weekend.)

Kevin Liles, co-founder and CEO of 300 Entertainment (where he helped launch the careers of Young Thug, Megan Thee Stallion, Migos and many more) has been close to Harrell for more than three decades. Harrell had him as a mentor and a role model – both of whom began their careers as rappers – and although they never actually worked for the same company, they were professional allies throughout the years of Warner Music in Deal Jam and as an artist director and now at 300 , But more importantly as friends and mutual fans. “He was a few years older and achieved a lot before me,” Lyce says. “But he always said, ‘This is your show – I’m here.'”

Liles thinks of his friend below (as Jem Aswad has been told).

We have a lot of great directors in our culture, but Martin Scorsese was great. He was very passionate about the cold – “Oh, no, you Nara Paint the color without any compliments “- and what” ghetto fiction “means and how it needs to be presented to the world so that the average person can understand it. If he just sits here and you say,” explain ghetto fiction, “he Would say, “Well, I told you whatever in 1920” –Funny). “I’m not saying he made any of it, but he probably made the word and he made it as a way of life.” It’s okay to be in Harlem, but you did. Got it Stay in St. Barts too! “Dre’s strength lies in hip-hop and R&B records dating back to the ’80s.

Andre had this feature – you didn’t just see him, you did Felt Him. He’s not just conversing with you, he’s telling a story; He wasn’t just at home, he was Was The house. I had a lot of fans when he was [Harrell’s ‘80s rap group] Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but I first met him [Def Jam Records cofounder] Russell [Simmons] And Puff – I can’t really talk about Andre without talking about them. It is through their friendship and gift to each other that I understand what it means to truly understand, reason and then discuss, and to be a true, lifelong friend. We could work in different companies, but we were all one family because we were made by the same thing: hip-hop.

One of his great gifts was writing the script: who, what, how it is and just importantly, what it is not. Don’t put yourself in a position where you are who you are and what you can’t be. “No no no, Cave, no, it just doesn’t work” “Then, when it works,” Oh my goodness! How did he see the house? “

During the Obama campaign, we created a crew called Super Friends – Dray, Puff, Russell, J.[-Z], Mary J. Blize, Beyonc,, I and Totally Killed Another. When we had the opportunity to work on campaigning for the removal of African-American voters in the swing states, Drey said, “Now, This Ghetto is fabulous at its best! “(Laughter)

Most recently, he has been working tirelessly for the political cause of African-Americans, and through the 2020 election we have had our last voice – to ensure his last breath, that was his goal. The last time I talked to him about the election, we realized our goals and how we should not make a commitment to any candidate without setting an agenda. He was adamant, “How many more of us have to die? It’s not about tomorrow, it’s about now! “

These times are extra difficult for everyone, but Dre always said, “But time is for us, to find a way!” And in it I find inspiration and love and direction.