Tayyib's Beat:

Andre Harrell Exclusive Interview

I first became aware of Andre Harrell as a kid.  Back then, he was known as "Dr. Jeckyll" via hit singles with MC partner Alonzo "Mr. Hyde" Brown and for being a founding member of the "Harlem World Crew."  

He stood out in the industry by wearing designer suits and ties while he rapped. Mr. Harrell's onstage image might seem like a precursor to his future of being one of the top music executives in the business.  

What other executives in the music business can say they interned for Kenny Gamble, worked as Russel Simmons’ first VP, and kicked started the careers of music moguls and industry leaders, Lyor Cohen and Sean “Diddy” Combs?  Before there was a Def Jam and Bad Boy Records, there was Uptown Records, a label that he started, which laid the template for what a hip-hop label should be.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with this living legend on his recent visit to Philly. Watch the video for my exclusive interview with him.

Philly 360° Exclusive: Backstage at Heineken Inspire

July 16, 2010

Stephen Starr's Washington Square

July 17, 2010

Theater of the Living Arts (TLA)

Last weekend was a musically-driven, inspiring and stellar time in Philly – and I want to give you an all access look at all that transpired.  

On Friday night, I gathered with a mix of old and new colleagues for the Heineken Inspire dinner at Stephen Starr’s Washington Square.  It was a good looking mix of young, progressive influencers who were gathered for no other reason but to foster our city’s creative energy by acknowledging the behind the scenes players in media, music, politics and sports who contribute to our current renaissance.

The next day, I headed over to the highly anticipated Heineken Inspire Concert at the TLA featuring J. Cole, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Musiq, Philly 360° lead creative ambassador Marsha Ambrosius, and to top it off, a surprise appearance by Freeway that took the crowd by storm.

Backstage, we had a chance to sit down with some of the performers to get their take on Philly’s powerful music scene.  Check out our exclusive interviews with Jazzy Jeff, Musiq, Carvin Haggins and Ms. Marsha. Plus, take a look at the slideshow for Heineken Inspire.

This was by far one of the best line ups I’ve seen all year.  Where else could this happen but the city of love?