Diddy Shares Emotional Tribute to Andre Harrell

Just days after the sudden passing of Andre Harrell, Sean “Diddy” Combs is opening up about the devastating loss.

Taking to social media on Monday, the hip-hop mogul penned a touching tribute to the legendary music executive, who died Thursday at the age of 59. In his post, an emotional Diddy said he’s trying to come to terms with the loss of his mentor and father figure.

“I honestly still can’t believe it, I’ve got to give myself the reality of this in doses,” he tweeted. “Because I can’t even handle this. I hope to God that you are all blessed to have someone in your life that loves you and believes in you like this man believed in me.”

He also sent his love to Harrell’s family including son Gianni and cousin O’Neal McKnight. “I’m going to miss him so much. I can’t even imagine life without Dre. God bless Gianni, O’Neal and the rest of the family,” added Puff. “LOVE YOU FOREVER DRE!!!!!!!!!!

I’m going to miss him so much. I can’t even imagine life without Dre. God bless Gianni, O’Neal and the rest of the family. 🖤✊🏿
LOVE YOU FOREVER DRE!!!!!!!!!!

— Diddy (@Diddy) May 11, 2020

In the early 1990s, Harrell gave a young Sean Combs his big break when he hired him as an intern at Uptown Records, after being introduced to him by Heavy D. Harrell fired Diddy in 1993 before he went on to found Bad Boy Records. “I guess Andre didn’t want two kings in the castle,” Diddy told The New York Times. “I had obtained some success, some notoriety, and I didn’t realize it wasn’t my house.”

They remained close throughout the years. In January, Puff paid tribute to his mentor while accepting the Industry Icon Award at The Recording Academy and Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy Gala. “I wanna thank Andre for being a big brother, for believing in me. Dre, I’m only standing up here because you gave me the chance,” he said as Harrell looked on with tears in his eyes.

“As a black man, you took me underneath your wing… I call you my big brother, but tonight I gotta tell you the truth… I told you my father died when I was two-and-a-half. Andre, you’ve been my father for the last 30 years.”

Harrell died from heart failure at his home in West Hollywood, Calif. on Thursday night. In the wake of his death, friends including Mariah Carey, Teddy Riley, Russell Simmons, and Usher also paid tribute to the influential executive on social media.