Andre Harrell is a game changer. He started Uptown Records in 1983 and has since become one of the most iconic figures in the music industry.
Diddy has said that Andre taught him everything he knows and if that isn’t enough to impress you, then just look at the roster of artists whose careers he’s nurtured: LL Cool J, Run DMC, Jodeci and Mary J. Blige, just to name a few. His resume is more impressive than we can explain, but leave it to him and his tireless work ethic to take on a new project.
As Andre starts up his new company, Harrell Records, he’s about to make someone’s dreams come true.
Check out details on his new project in our exclusive below.
We heard about this new project of yours, the Global Talent Search. Why did you decide to do this?
I just started a new record company called Harrell Records distributed through Atlantic and I’m looking to fill up my roster with new talent.
Blazetrak.com is a paid service where people can upload their music and I will make a video presentation telling them why I like it and what they can do to make it better. It’s a new way to do A&R. People don’t have to fly to New York, stay in a hotel and sit and have a meeting with me, or try to get a meeting with me if they don’t know me.
They can be from France, Africa, London, they can be from Nebraska, LA, and they can just take four minutes and upload their music. They can send me two to three demos and I’ll listen to them and give them a video response right back. It’s really giving me the ability to have 20 or 30 meetings a day and discover new talent.
Do you know what you’re looking for?
I’m looking for writers and producers. When I started Uptown Records, my company was fueled by great writers and producers like Teddy Riley, DeVante Swing, Puff Daddy, Poke & Tone, and they were responsible for basically the Uptown sound. So now I’m looking for writers and producers to help me create sound. I’m also looking for rappers and young singers
The contest starts now and it goes all the way to November 30th. I’ll announce the winner January 11th.
You can upload videos to be judged by Andre Harrell here.
Hit the jump for specifics of Andre’s Global Talent Search.
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Andre Harrell just launched a global talent search, accepting auditions via Blazetrak.com starting Tuesday, October 11, 2011. The search will result in a record deal (single) through Harrell Records and/or a production/publishing deal through Harrell Music.
From October 11 through November 30, 2011 artists and aspiring producer/songwriters are invited to submit their best original music and/or performance of a cover (via audio or video) to Mr. Harrell through the Blazetrak platform.
Mr. Harrell will personally review each and every submission during the month of December, and all entrants are guaranteed a video response directly from Mr. Harrell, including his expert critique of the submission (submission fee: 9 Blazetrak credits).
