Before PDiddy, there was Kurt Woodley

About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of Kurt Woodley on Uptown Records and the New Jack Swing movement.

When Andre Harrell, formerly of Dr. Jekyl and Mr Hyde, was first starting Uptown Records was first starting, he had a few folks to help make the legendary label a household name. The music exec that made things happen was the one and only Kurt Woodley. From the careers of Father MC, discovering Jeff Redd, Mary J. Blige and Jodeci, Uptown records became the New Jack Swing Label that had the country dancing and singing to hiphop tracks. Kurt went from road managing Heavy D and A B Sure to managing, along with Reggie Johnson and Charlie Davis creating JDW management.

People in this episode

Host: Darlene Lewis

Guest: Kurt Woodley

Topics covered

• music history
• Uptown Records
• New Jack Swing
• music management
• hip hop culture

Keywords

• Kurt Woodley
• Uptown Records
• New Jack Swing
• music management
• Andre Harrell

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Uptown Records, JDW management

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