Filed under: Music, News, Radio
Before reality shows and blogging became the "go-to gig" once the glitz and glamour faded, the radio industry was always a bastion for reinvention. Former hitmakers and chart-topping record artists found regional fame and supplemental monetary gain in the form of hosting radio shows in regional markets around the world. MC Lyte, Al B. Sure, Lil Mo, Miss Jones and Keith Washington are just a handful of bold-faced names who took over the microphone as on air personalities.Even before her Oscar glory, Academy Award winner Mo'Nique tried her hand at radio.
Now, in what could be a first; a former music industry titan is taking over the airwaves.
BlackVoices.com has learned that Andre Harrell, former president of Motown Records, is going where no other major record label chieftain has gone before.
The man who can claim responsibility for launching the careers of Jodeci, Sean 'Diddy' Combs Heavy D & The Boyz, and Mary J. Blige (at Uptown Records) is the new host of the 'Champagne & Bubbles' radio show, which kicks off on New York City's 98.7 KISS FM (WRKS) Feb. 6 at 6pm.
According to a rep for the Emmis Communications-owned station, Harrell's show will consist of him playing the biggest jams from the 80's and 90's along with giving access to the most exclusive inside interviews from the industry's greatest stars.A New York City native, Harrell originally sought fame as a rapper (half of the duo Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde) while a student at Lehman College. He founded and helmed Uptown Records in the mid-80s, bringing many in his stable of acts much success. It was at the New York City-based record label where Combs (known mostly as "Puff Daddy" or "Puffy" back then) cut his teeth as an intern, and helped shape the image of the burgeoning company.
In recent years, Harrell, 50, helped launch the career of blue-eyed soul crooner Robin Thicke.