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Andre Harris

Andre Harris is an record producer, songwriter, and best known as one half of the influential R&B production duo , alongside Vidal Davis. Born and raised in , , Harris emerged in the music industry during the late 1990s as part of the city's vibrant neo-soul scene, where he honed his skills as a before forming with his longtime collaborator Davis, whose families had deep musical ties in the area. The duo quickly gained prominence for their soulful, groove-oriented sound, producing Jill 's breakthrough debut album Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 (2000), including the track "The Way," which helped define the neo-soul movement. Over the next decade, expanded their reach into mainstream R&B and pop, crafting hits such as Usher's "Caught Up" from the diamond-certified Confessions (2004), Chris Brown's debut single "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" (2005), and Ciara's "Oh" featuring (2005), which showcased their ability to blend elements with classic soul influences. Harris and Davis continued to work with high-profile artists across genres, contributing to projects by , , Fantasia, and . In 2022, the duo sold their publishing catalog to HarbourView Equity Partners in a landmark deal that highlighted the growing investment in R&B creators' . Their enduring impact is evidenced by multiple Grammy nominations, including three for Harris through 2025, with recent nods in the Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song categories for co-writing Kehlani's "Folded" at the 68th Annual (2026).

Early Life and Education

Childhood in

Andre Harris was born and raised in , , in a family immersed in the city's vibrant religious and musical heritage. His grandmother served as a in a local Pentecostal church, where the family participated extensively in services and community activities, fostering an early connection to expressive traditions. Uncles in the family were active musicians, with one playing bass for the gospel group and another contributing guitar to the funk band People's Choice, providing young Harris with direct exposure to professional performance environments. Philadelphia's storied Philly soul tradition, epitomized by icons like Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, , and , profoundly shaped the cultural backdrop of Harris's upbringing. This genre, which blended lush orchestration with emotive R&B vocals, dominated the city's airwaves and live scenes during his formative years, instilling a deep appreciation for soulful Black American music. The local music ecosystem, including neighborhood gatherings and church programs, highlighted these influences, sparking Harris's initial fascination with production as a means of capturing emotional depth. Harris's exposure to diverse Black American genres extended to R&B through his mother's curation of artists like , whose smooth grooves and innovative synth sounds resonated in household listening. The Philly hip-hop scene further enriched this milieu, blending street rhythms with soul elements in community venues and block parties that inspired Harris's budding interest in rhythmic layering and beat-making. Gospel ensembles like bridged these worlds, emphasizing harmony and storytelling that would underpin his later production ethos. This church setting also marked the transition to his formal musical training.

Initial Musical Training

Andre Harris began his musical journey at the age of six, when he started playing in his local Pentecostal church in . Growing up in a musical family, he was surrounded by influences such as his uncle, who played bass for the gospel group , and another relative who performed guitar with the funk band People's Choice. This environment, combined with the demands of church services—where he attended multiple sessions weekly—accelerated his development, allowing him to play at an adult level by ages nine or ten. Harris's initial training was largely hands-on and self-directed, shaped by the improvisational needs of performances. When the regular was unavailable, he stepped in to play keyboards, learning the instrument on the spot through . This self-taught approach extended his technical foundation, as he experimented with sounds and rhythms during services and rehearsals. His early experiences also included accompanying R&B ensembles like Total Commitment during events, providing practical exposure to live performance dynamics. The Philadelphia church setting immersed Harris in a blend of gospel and emerging Philly soul elements, fostering his intuitive grasp of rhythm and harmony from a young age. These formative years in informal gatherings and worship settings built the core skills that would later define his production style, emphasizing organic, feel-based musicianship over formal instruction. His musical education was primarily informal, with no records of traditional schooling in music.

Professional Career

Beginnings with A Touch of Jazz

In the mid-1990s, Andre Harris transitioned from self-taught instrumental pursuits to professional music production by joining DJ Jazzy Jeff's A Touch of production team in 1995. This move marked his entry into Philadelphia's burgeoning neo-soul scene, where the studio served as a creative hub for emerging talent without the pressures of commercial deadlines. Under Jazzy Jeff's mentorship, Harris benefited from an environment that emphasized experimentation and collaboration, allowing producers to hone their skills freely. Harris's initial roles involved assisting on recording sessions and contributing to tracks for up-and-coming artists, including and . He helped shape the sound of Scott's debut album Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 (2000), co-producing songs like "A Long Walk" and "Do You Remember," which blended jazz-infused rhythms with soulful vocals. Similarly, on Musiq Soulchild's (2000), Harris assisted in crafting neo-soul staples such as "" and "," drawing from the team's collective input to create emotionally resonant productions. These early contributions were part of A Touch of Jazz's broader output, which included work for artists like and , establishing Harris's foundation in live instrumentation and beat programming. Through this period, Harris gained invaluable learning experiences in studio production, immersed in a competitive yet supportive atmosphere alongside producers like Vidal Davis, Carvin Haggins, and Ivan Barias. The setup fostered skill-building through real-time collaboration, where sessions often involved multiple contributors adding layers without fear of interruption, as Vidal Davis recalled: "That’s what made it a dope situation because it was like a friendly competition amongst all of us." Jazzy Jeff's guidance focused on capturing authentic musical feeling, teaching Harris to integrate diverse influences like , , and while prioritizing organic grooves over polished perfection. This apprenticeship refined his approach to production, emphasizing emotional depth and innovative arrangements that would define his later work.

Partnership in Dre & Vidal

In 2000, Andre Harris and Vidal Davis, both alumni of DJ Jazzy Jeff's A Touch of Jazz production collective, joined forces to establish the songwriting and production duo , drawing on their shared experience in Philadelphia's burgeoning neo-soul scene. Their partnership quickly gained momentum, blending classic Philly soul elements with rhythms to create a distinctive sound that bridged neo-soul introspection and mainstream accessibility. Dre & Vidal's breakthrough came through high-profile tracks that defined early 2000s R&B, including Usher's "Caught Up" from the 2004 album Confessions, which showcased their knack for infectious, groove-driven beats infused with subtle jazz undertones. They also helmed Chris Brown's debut single "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" from his 2005 self-titled album, a youthful anthem that highlighted their ability to craft polished, radio-ready hooks for emerging pop-R&B stars. Similarly, their production on Ciara's "Oh" from the 2004 album Goodies exemplified their crunk-inflected R&B style, incorporating Southern hip-hop flair while maintaining soulful melodies. The duo's influence extended to established artists, producing tracks for on her 2003 album , such as "So Simple," where they emphasized organic instrumentation to complement her piano-driven compositions. For , Dre & Vidal contributed to Growing Pains (2007), including the poignant ballad "Hurt Again," which fused 1970s soul textures with modern emotional depth to underscore Blige's raw vocal delivery. Through these works, they played a pivotal role in evolving neo-soul and R&B by merging Philadelphia's soul heritage with and pop sensibilities, producing hits that topped charts and influenced the genre's sound during the mid-2000s.

Independent Productions

Around 2010, after a decade of collaboration with Vidal as , Andre Harris began focusing more on independent production, building on his Grammy-nominated foundation in R&B and to explore broader collaborations across genres. This shift allowed him greater creative , enabling him to infuse his melodic and rhythmic sensibilities into diverse projects while maintaining a focus on emotional depth and live . One of Harris's notable early independent efforts was his production on Justin Bieber's 2013 track "All That Matters" from the Journals release, where he co-produced and co-wrote the introspective R&B ballad, emphasizing stripped-back vocals and subtle synth layers to highlight Bieber's falsetto. This work marked Harris's entry into pop-R&B crossovers, showcasing his ability to adapt his neo-soul roots to mainstream appeal. Similarly, in 2021, he co-produced SiR's "Teach Me" for the Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album soundtrack, blending smooth R&B grooves with hip-hop undertones to create a track that earned praise for its introspective vibe and polished sound design. Harris's independent phase also extended to global influences, as seen in his co-production of Burna Boy's "Time Flies" (featuring ) on the 2020 album , where he contributed to fusing rhythms with R&B harmonies, helping the track achieve over 50 million streams and underscoring his role in genre-blending productions. More recently, in 2025, Harris co-produced Kehlani's "Folded," a soulful R&B single that incorporates elements and live bass, demonstrating his ongoing evolution in contemporary urban music scenes. These projects illustrate Harris's versatility in bridging traditional R&B with international and flavors, contributing to high-impact releases that resonate across global audiences.

Musical Contributions and Style

Production Techniques

Andre Harris's production techniques are deeply rooted in his self-taught multi-instrumentalism, which began with in church at age six and extended to keyboards learned out of necessity during early studio sessions. This background enabled him to emphasize live instrumentation over samples, allowing for authentic, organic sounds that distinguish his work. Influenced by Philadelphia's vibrant music scene, Harris frequently incorporates real-time playing of , keys, and other instruments to build tracks collaboratively, as seen in his partnership where both he and collaborator Vidal Davis play multiple instruments to cut live music consistently. A hallmark of Harris's approach is layering soulful beats to create depth and emotion, often starting with foundational grooves from live drums and building upward with additional instrumental elements. He integrates Philly soul influences, drawing from pioneers like , to infuse tracks with lush, rhythmic arrangements that evoke the city's historical sound while adapting it to . This results in organic grooves that prioritize feel and connectivity, using techniques such as dynamic chord progressions and rhythmic interplay to foster an emotive, human quality in the music. In achieving polished, emotive sounds, Harris employs studio tools like for precise editing and layering, as utilized in early high-profile projects to refine live recordings into cohesive tracks. For instance, in producing "Caught Up," he referenced uptempo vibes from existing material and recorded in a modest setup, focusing on and live elements to craft a vibrant, fan-oriented groove that highlights his method of blending raw instrumentation with meticulous . These techniques underscore his commitment to quality and innovation, ensuring tracks resonate with both technical polish and soulful authenticity.

Key Collaborations

Harris's early collaborations laid the foundation for his reputation in neo-soul, particularly through his work with on her debut album Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 (2000), where produced key tracks that blended live instrumentation with introspective lyrics, helping to define the genre's organic sound and contributing to the album's commercial breakthrough. In the mid-2000s, Harris expanded into mainstream R&B with high-impact productions for artists like , , and . For 's Confessions (2004), he co-produced "Caught Up," a upbeat track that became a top-10 hit and exemplified the duo's ability to merge neo-soul elements with pop accessibility, boosting the album to over 10 million sales worldwide. With on his self-titled debut (2005), tracks such as "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" showcased youthful energy and infectious hooks, helping launch Brown's career as a teen sensation and highlighting Harris's versatility in teen-oriented R&B. 's "Oh" from (2004), released as a in 2005, featuring , was another chart-topping collaboration that fused rhythms with soulful production, marking a pivotal crossover moment for Southern R&B. Harris's work with established icons further elevated his profile, including contributions to Alicia Keys's (2003), where he produced "So Simple," a hip-hop-infused that integrated live instruments and sampled vocals to enhance the album's blend of , soul, and urban sounds, aiding its multi-platinum success. For , Dre & Vidal handled tracks like "Can't Hide from Luv" on (2005), infusing the album with raw emotional production that supported its themes of resilience, and "Hurt Again" on (2007), while their efforts on earned a Grammy for Best Album. A standout partnership came with on "Butterflies" from (2001), a tender, string-laden co-produced by Harris that captured Jackson's signature vulnerability and became a fan-favorite , demonstrating his ability to adapt to pop royalty. Later collaborations bridged genres and generations, such as with Justin Bieber on Journals (2013), producing songs like "All That Matters" and "All Bad," which incorporated mature R&B sensibilities into Bieber's pop framework, facilitating his artistic evolution toward more introspective work. More recently, Harris collaborated with Burna Boy on "Time Flies" featuring Sauti Sol from Twice as Tall (2020), blending Afrobeats with soulful production to create an uplifting anthem on maturity and growth, expanding his influence into global sounds and underscoring his enduring adaptability across R&B, soul, and hip-hop. In 2025, Harris co-produced and co-wrote Kehlani's "Folded," blending sensual R&B elements and earning a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year.)

Awards and Legacy

Grammy Nominations

Andre Harris, as part of the production duo , has received multiple Grammy nominations for his work in R&B. At the in 2005, their production on Usher's Confessions earned a nomination for , while the album itself won Best Album (awarded to ). The duo produced tracks including "Caught Up" and "Throwback," which featured soulful grooves and contributed to the album's commercial success, selling over 20 million copies worldwide as of 2024. Earlier, at the in 2004, received an nomination for their contributions to ' The Diary of Alicia Keys, including production on tracks like "You Don't Know My Name." In 2009, at the , their production on Mary J. Blige's Growing Pains—including the track "Hurt Again"—helped the album win Best Album (awarded to Blige). The album debuted at No. 2 on the 200. As of November 2025, Harris has three Grammy nominations, including a Song of the Year nod at the 68th Annual for co-writing Kehlani's "Folded."

Industry Impact

Andre Harris, alongside Vidal Davis as , played a pivotal role in revitalizing Philly soul influences within modern R&B during the late and early neo-soul movement. Emerging from Philadelphia's music scene under the mentorship of DJ Jazzy Jeff's A Touch of collective, they infused productions with lush instrumentation and rhythmic grooves, as seen in their work on 's debut album Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 (2000), which achieved platinum status with over 1 million units sold in the United States. Their mentorship extended to nurturing young artists, including early sessions with a teenage Chris Brown that shaped his debut album Chris Brown (2005), which sold over 3 million copies worldwide. This perpetuated Philly's production legacy, influencing blends of organic soul with digital innovation. Their productions achieved significant commercial success, contributing to albums that sold tens of millions globally and bridged neo-soul with mainstream pop. Tracks like Usher's "Caught Up" from Confessions (2004) incorporated Philly-inspired syncopated beats, helping the album exceed 20 million sales worldwide. Similarly, Ciara's "Oh" from Goodies (2004) marked expansion into crunk-infused R&B, with the album certifying 4x platinum in the U.S. for 4 million units.

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