Warner Chappell Music, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has signed a worldwide publishing deal with three-time Grammy-nominated R&B songwriter and producer, Andre “Dre” Harris.
Harris, whose career spans more than three decades, is best known for writing and producing for artists including Chris Brown, Alicia Keys, Usher, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, and Robin Thicke, contributing to more than 200 million records sold worldwide.
His catalog features Billboard Hot 100 hits such as Caught Up (Usher), Yo (Excuse Me Miss) (Chris Brown) and Oh (Ciara).
The deal follows a commercially strong period for Harris, who is currently credited on Kehlani’s Folded. The track has reached No.1 on Mediabase’s Urban Radio chart and Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, and has spent seven non-consecutive weeks inside the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 since its release in October.
Folded is nominated for Best R&B Song at the upcoming GRAMMY Awards.
“I’m very excited to sign with Warner Chappell!! It feels good to have a team that sees my vision, and understands me as a creative. I’m looking forward to building something new with my Philly family – Ryan Press and X (Champagne).”
Andre ‘Dre’ Harris
Ryan Press, President, North America at Warner Chappell Music, commented on the deal: “For over two decades, Dre has continued to prove how master creators stand the test of time, most recently by helping craft one of last year’s most impactful global songs. Having known him for years, I’ve seen him cement his legacy as a true visionary – shaping the sound of a generation hit after hit.”
He added: “Driven by relentless innovation and a talent for creating timeless, boundary-pushing records, he’s inspired countless artists, from Chris Brown to Usher and Alicia Keys. Rooted in Philly but leaving a lasting mark worldwide, Dre’s impact continues to grow, and we’re proud to support his bold, creative vision.”
Dre Harris shared: “I’m very excited to sign with Warner Chappell!! It feels good to have a team that sees my vision, and understands me as a creative. I’m looking forward to building something new with my Philly family – Ryan Press and X (Champagne).”
Xavier Champagne, Senior Director of Urban A&R at Warner Chappell Music, described Harris as a long-standing contributor to the evolution of R&B. He said: “It’s hard to overstate Dre’s impact on R&B music. For the past 30 years, he’s been one of the pillars who’s shaped and pushed the genre forward, and I’m incredibly honored that we get to partner and carry that legacy further together.”
Harris began his career in the early 1990s within Philadelphia’s neo-soul scene alongside producer DJ Jazzy Jeff. During this time, he contributed to projects for artists including Michael Jackson, Will Smith, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, and Floetry.
“For the past 30 years, he’s been one of the pillars who’s shaped and pushed the genre forward, and I’m incredibly honored that we get to partner and carry that legacy further together.”
Xavier Champagne, Senior Director of Urban A&R at Warner Chappell Music
In 2000, he formed the songwriting and production duo Dre & Vidal with producer Vidal Davis. The partnership contributed to projects including Usher’s Confessions and Alicia Keys’ The Diary of Alicia Keys, both of which received GRAMMY Album of the Year nominations in 2005.
Both projects secured category wins: Usher’s Confessions for Best Contemporary R&B Album and Keys’ album for Best R&B Album
Dre & Vidal also worked on Mary J. Blige’s Growing Pains, which won Best Contemporary R&B Album at the GRAMMY Awards in 2009. In addition to their award-winning records and Hot 100 hits, the duo produced tracks for artists including Mariah Carey, Destiny’s Child, and Musiq Soulchild.
“Driven by relentless innovation and a talent for creating timeless, boundary-pushing records, he’s inspired countless artists, from Chris Brown to Usher and Alicia Keys. Rooted in Philly but leaving a lasting mark worldwide”
Ryan Press, President, North America at Warner Chappell MusiC
Since transitioning to solo production work in the 2010s, Harris has continued to collaborate with a broad range of artists across R&B, pop, and hip-hop, including Justin Bieber, Burna Boy, Kanye West, Melanie Fiona, Mali Music, and Pharrell signee Cris Cab. He also co-executive-produced Jill Scott’s Woman, which debuted at No.1 on the US albums chart.
In December 2025, Warner Chappell Music Nashville signed a global publishing agreement with singer-songwriter Margo Price.
That news followed the October signing of award-winning French composer Victor Le Masne, and the September acquisition of a long-term, worldwide publishing agreement with Eagles founding member Bernie Leadon.Music Business Worldwide
