Michael R. "Harry-O" Harris (born September 20, 1960) is an American

hip hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hip- ...

music industry executive, entrepreneur, and social activist. Harris received a 28-year prison sentence in 1987 for crack dealing, kidnapping, and attempted murder. While in prison, Harris co-founded

Death Row Records Death Row Records is an American record label that was founded in 1991 by The D.O.C., Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, and Dick Griffey. The label became a sensation by releasing multi-platinum hip-hop albums by West Coast-based artists such as Dr. D ...

. Harris was granted clemency in 2021 by President Donald Trump. Harris is the chief operating officer of the newly-formed Death Row Records and has founded multiple activist organizations.

Drug dealing and incarceration

Harris worked odd jobs and attended West Los Angeles Community College while studying marketing and business. Harris dropped out of school and quit his job before his 20th birthday, and began selling crack cocaine in his native Los Angeles. Within 5 years, Harris built a large, national drug operation working with his brother David, using gangs including both the Bloods and Crips and the Cali Cartel. The network brought in almost $2 million daily. Harris invested some of the proceeds into multiple, legitimate Los Angeles businesses. These included a deli, beauty salon, limousine service, an electrical company, and a theatrical production company involved in the 1988 play ''Checkmates'' which marked Denzel Washington's Broadway debut. In 1987, Harris received a 28-year prison sentence for the kidnapping and attempted murder of James Lester, a distant relative and member of the drug ring. While incarcerated, Harris became editor-in-chief of the '' San Quentin News''.

Death Row Records

In the fall of 1991, Harris states he introduced his lawyer, David Kenner, to

Suge Knight Marion Hugh "Suge" Knight Jr. ( ; born April 19, 1965) is an American former record executive, former National Football League, NFL player, and convicted felon, who is the co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records. Knight was a central f ...

. Harris states he invested $1.5 million to co-found Godfather Entertainment with Knight, inclusive of the

Death Row Death row, also known as condemned row, is a place in a prison that houses inmates awaiting execution after being convicted of a capital crime and sentenced to death. The term is also used figuratively to describe the state of awaiting executio ...

division. As it is illegal for a prisoner to run a business, Harris described his role as a "consultant" to his wife Lydia's role in the business. Knight disputes the substance of this financing story, instead stating the source of funding included Sony, Interscope, and Time Warner. Death Row subsequently generated hundreds of million of dollars in sales. Death Row Records filed for bankruptcy in April 2006 and was auctioned to WIDEawake Entertainment for $18 million on January 15, 2009. After changing hands multiple times,

Snoop Dogg Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. ( ; born October 20, 1971), better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg (previously Snoop Doggy Dogg), is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Rooted in West Coast hip-hop, he is widely regarded as one of t ...

purchased Death Row in 2022.

Clemency and activism

Harris campaigned for early release from prison, after disavowing his prior criminal behavior and starting multiple educational programs in prison. On January 20, 2021, Harris's sentence was commuted by President Donald Trump. In October 2024, Harris endorsed Donald Trump in the

2024 United States presidential election United States presidential election, Presidential elections were held in the United States on November 5, 2024. The Republican Party (United States), Republican Party's Ticket (election), ticket—Donald Trump, who was the 45th president of ...

. Harris serves as chief operating officer of the newly formed Death Row Records, which is run by Snoop Dogg. As of 2024, Harris was working with Denzel Washington and Snoop Dogg on a documentary of his life by Death Row Films. Harris's non-profit Our Community First Action drew praise from Donald Trump. Harris also established Philanthropy TV, focused on both national and international philanthropy.

Personal life

Harris and wife Lydia divorced in 2005. Lydia has sung under the name Ms. Lydia. They have one daughter.

References

External links

X.com

Instagram

Interview with San Quentin News
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, Michael 1960 births Living people American music industry executives Businesspeople from Los Angeles 20th-century American businesspeople 21st-century American businesspeople 20th-century African-American people 21st-century African-American people Death Row Records