Andre Harrell to Receive Cultural Excellence Award By: Ismael AbduSalaam Music mogul Andre Harrell will be honored April 1st at Reverend Al Sharpton’s annual National Action Network Keepers of the Dream Awards Dinner.
Harrell is scheduled to be the fourth recipient of the Cultural Excellence Award, which recognizes those who epitomize the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King in their respective fields.
The previous three winners were the late James Brown, Bad Boy CEO Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington.
“Throughout Andre’s life and career, he has become exemplary of Dr. King’s dream,” Rev. Sharpton told AllHipHop.com in a prepared statement. “Not only has he changed the world of music and entertainment, but he has inspired countless artists, becoming a true legend ahead of his time. Most recently Andre Harrell persevered through a life-threatening ailment and his resilience through this ailment is as worthy of recognition as is his resilience in the music and entertainment industry.”
In the 80s, Harrell entered the music industry as a part of the Hip-Hop group Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde.
Later, he flourished as vice-president and general manager of Russell Simmons’ Rush Communications, where he helped guide the careers of LL Cool J, Run DMC, and Whodini.
By 1988 he founded Uptown Records, which was notable for the giving a young Sean Combs his start, and debuting Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Christopher Williams, Soul 4 Real, and Heavy D, before moving on to run Motown.
Last month, the 48-year old Harrell was in danger of succumbing to coronary heart disease, and successfully completed emergency quadruple heart bypass surgery.
The awards dinner will commence at 7:00 PM at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers.
