by Ran
Updated 1/21/21
James "Lil' J" Prince, CEO of Rap-A-Lot Records
Michael
Harris was born in 1962 and grew up on the east side of South Central,
Los Angeles, in a neighborhood known locally as the "Low Bottoms". Harris lived on 46th Street and worked as a shoe-shine during his
youth. He later attended West Los Angeles Community College where he
studied business before dropping out.
Harris and his younger brother David became affiliated with the Bounty Hunter Bloods street-gang at some point and began selling crack-cocaine in his early twenties, after quitting his job selling electrical supplies. They also forged significant contacts with members of the Rolling 60s Crips street-gang as well. As their profits grew, they opened multiple crack-houses in their native South-Central, Los Angeles and nearby Long Beach, California. Eventually, the two established a distribution network that reached Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Florida and New York. The duo routinely sent 200-pound shipments of cocaine to cities such as Shreveport and Chicago. Following one such shipment to Detroit, law enforcement managed to seize the $1 million cash payment headed back to LA. The pair were reportedly supplied by Colombian national and alleged high-ranking member of the Cali drug cartel Mario Ernesto Villabona-Alvarado.
The 6'5", 240-pound Harris also applied his business acumen to legitimate enterprise such as a limousine company, a deli, an electrical contracting business and a hair salon in Beverly Hills.
In 1985, he met Lydia Robinson, whom he eventually married, while at a nightclub in Houston, Texas.
June 4, 1987, marked the opening night of the Ron Milner play "Checkmates" at Los Angeles' Inner City Cultural Center. Reportedly, Michael financed the play, which would be the first stage production featuring actor Denzel Washington in the lead role. "Checkmates" and Washington enjoyed a Broadway run the following year.
That same year, Harris is rumored to have helped launch Rap-A-Lot Records with a $200,000 investment. Founder James "Lil' J" Smith has since disputed Harris' involvement with the label. According to Harris himself, the two parted ways in 1994 following a dispute over ownership of Brooklyn rapper Dana Dane's music.
In June of 1987, Michael was arrested and charged with the kidnapping and attempted murder of James Lester, a member of the Harris' cocaine organization. Lester testified that Michael suspected him of embezzling $100,000 of the proceeds derived from the crack-houses and subsequently drove him, accompanied by two other men, to the Mojave Desert's Antelope Valley where he was shot and left to die. Michael was convicted in June of 1988 and eventually sentenced to 28 years in prison.
He reportedly retained prominent California attorney David Kenner to oversee his appeal following the conviction.
In September of 1987, David paid $150,000 for a 37-foot speedboat. He was killed when the boat sank in the Long Beach Harbor on May 29, 1988.
On August 26, 1988, the DEA seized Harris' hilltop mansion worth $1.1 million and located in the San Fernando Valley's celebrity-filled Encino neighborhood. Owing to the Federal Asset Forfeiture Act of 1984, authorities eventually seized assets belonging to the Harris' worth $3.2 million, including two other houses in neighboring Tarzana, as well as five luxury cars, including a 1981 Mercedes-Benz and a 1988 Jaguar.
Michael married Lydia Robinson inside Tehachapi Prison, located in California's Cummings Valley. The nuptials were presided over by the same judge who convicted and sentenced him.
Harris was briefly a cellmate of fellow Los Angeles drug kingpin Rick "Freeway Ricky" Ross, who was a friend of Harris' brother David. According to Ross, he advised Harris to utilize Andre "Dr. Dre" Young to produce songs for Lydia and was even present when Harris and Knight met in person.
Harris initially became acquainted with Young's then-manager Marion "Suge" Knight via telephone and the two met in person while Harris was detained at the MDC Los Angeles (Metropolitan Detention Center, Los Angeles).
While incarcerated, Harris made the introduction between Marion "Suge" Knight, Jr. and David Kenner in October 1991 in the interest of furthering his wife Lydia's singing career. Knight visited Harris in detention at Tehachapi Prison several times during the production and release of Death Row's first offering: Knight's business partner Andre "Dr. Dre" Young's solo debut album, The Chronic.
It's worth noting that inmates of the California state prison system are legally barred from operating businesses. However, beginning in the 1990s, Lydia Harris has linked several six-figure deals with recording industry giants. While both husband and wife have acknowledged that Michael has been involved in these discussions, they deny that he served in a CEO capacity.
In May of 1992, Harris' wife Lydia and Suge Knight's legal counsel and Harris' former attorney, David Kenner, filed incorporation papers for the company Godfather Entertainment (GFE, Inc.), which became the parent company of Death Row Records.
Knight even installed a black telephone in the Death Row recording studio that was only to be used to receive collect calls from Harris in prison. All Death Row staff members and visitors to the studio were notified to never tie up the line.
In 1993, Lydia secured a $150,000 production deal with Motown Records subsidiary, PolyGram Records. She also landed a $250,000 deal with Sony subsidiary, Relativity Records for Pittsburgh rapper Blak Czer's 1994 album Tales From Da Blak Side, which was released through her Lifestyle Records. After signing New York rapper Dana "Dana Dane" McLeese to Lifestyle Records, Lydia negotiated a $500,000 recording deal for him with Interscope Records.
In 1994, Michael's daughter Lydasia was conceived during a conjugal visit with Lydia.
That same year, Lydia signed a $ 200,000 publishing deal with Viacom subsidiary Famous Music on behalf of legendary Long Beach, CA producer Kevin "DJ Battlecat" Gilliam, who composed several songs for Lifestyle. 1994 also marked the inking of a $2 million deal with Time Warner subsidiary, the now-defunct Maverick Records, which was co-founded and co-owned by 1980s and 90s pop superstar Madonna. The deal resulted in the release of McLeese's third and final studio album, 1995's Rollin' Wit Dana Dane, which was largely produced by Gilliam. However, that same year, Maverick Records dissolved its relationship with Lifestyle. Maverick co-founder Frederick DeMann visited Michael Harris in prison several times during the Maverick-Lifestyle venture. DeMann's resume also includes acting as manager for Madonna, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Billy Idol and Shakira.
In late 1995/early 1996, Harris issued a letter to Death Row Records' distributor, Interscope Records, threatening to file suit if he was not compensated for his initial investment of $1.5 million in the label in late 1991. No suit was filed and Harris' wife was paid $300,000 by Death Row's distributor, Interscope Records.
In 1996, Harris declined a deal, offered by the government, that would grant him early release in exchange for his testimony against Knight.
In May of 1997, following the much-publicized death of Death Row Records' flagship recording artist Tupac Shakur and the incarceration of label head Suge Knight for a parole violation caught on camera, federal agents representing the FBI, IRS and ATF sought to determine a link, if any, between Death Row, Harris and Patrick Johnson, a convicted PCP kingpin and former client of Kenner.
Harris was transferred to the MDC Los Angeles (Metropolitan Detention Center, Los Angeles) by order of subpoena soon after the investigation was launched.
Knight denied receiving any start-up funds from Harris, though both he and Kenner thanked Harris during speeches they gave at a February 22, 1992 Godfather Entertainment party hosted at the now-defunct Beverly Hills restaurant, Chasen's. The speeches were captured on a videotape, which the FBI subsequently seized.
Meanwhile, that same year, Lydia founded another music label, New Image Entertainment. The company's first album, Life After Evolution: Reality Check, was released in August of 1997.
In March of 2005, Lydia Harris was awarded $107 million as a result of her 2002 lawsuit, which never made it to trial, against Knight and Death Row alleging that he owed her unpaid profits from the label due to her role as a co-founder. Harris was awarded $60 million in punitive damages, $45 million in economic damages and $2 million in non-economic damages.
That June, Michael's attorney, Steven Goldberg, filed for divorce from Lydia Harris on his client's behalf. During the proceedings, Michael, who was serving his sentence at California's Soledad State Prison, sought half of the nine-figure judgement from Knight as community property. He was brought to the Monterey County courthouse in which the proceedings took place in handcuffs and accompanied by a SWAT team. During the divorce litigation, both testified that Lydia sued Knight on behalf of Michael. Michael was quoted as stating, "I was the one making all major client decisions on behalf of the marital estate, even though Lydia was technically named the plaintiff in the matter. Lydia simply accepted whatever decision [her lawyer] and I made jointly."
That same year, Harris became eligible for parole. He eventually broke ties with Kenner and hired one of the prosecutors during the "O.J. Trial", Christopher Darden, as his attorney.
As of January of 2021, Harris was being held at FCI Lompoc (Federal Correctional Institution, Lompoc), a low-security federal prison located 175 miles northwest of Los Angeles. However, outgoing president Donald Trump issued a commutation, one of more than 140, for Harris on January 19, 2021, the day before his successor's inauguration. The Trump administration issued the following statement, calling Harris: "...a former entrepreneur and has mentored and taught fellow prisoners how to start and run businesses. He has completed courses towards business and journalism degrees. Upon his release, Mr. Harris will have a meaningful place of employment and housing with the support of his family." Rapper Calvin "Snoop" Broadus, who was formerly signed to Death Row Records, reportedly campaigned for Harris' pardon.
Harris and his younger brother David became affiliated with the Bounty Hunter Bloods street-gang at some point and began selling crack-cocaine in his early twenties, after quitting his job selling electrical supplies. They also forged significant contacts with members of the Rolling 60s Crips street-gang as well. As their profits grew, they opened multiple crack-houses in their native South-Central, Los Angeles and nearby Long Beach, California. Eventually, the two established a distribution network that reached Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Florida and New York. The duo routinely sent 200-pound shipments of cocaine to cities such as Shreveport and Chicago. Following one such shipment to Detroit, law enforcement managed to seize the $1 million cash payment headed back to LA. The pair were reportedly supplied by Colombian national and alleged high-ranking member of the Cali drug cartel Mario Ernesto Villabona-Alvarado.
The 6'5", 240-pound Harris also applied his business acumen to legitimate enterprise such as a limousine company, a deli, an electrical contracting business and a hair salon in Beverly Hills.
In 1985, he met Lydia Robinson, whom he eventually married, while at a nightclub in Houston, Texas.
June 4, 1987, marked the opening night of the Ron Milner play "Checkmates" at Los Angeles' Inner City Cultural Center. Reportedly, Michael financed the play, which would be the first stage production featuring actor Denzel Washington in the lead role. "Checkmates" and Washington enjoyed a Broadway run the following year.
Denzel Washington and Michael "Harry O" Harris
That same year, Harris is rumored to have helped launch Rap-A-Lot Records with a $200,000 investment. Founder James "Lil' J" Smith has since disputed Harris' involvement with the label. According to Harris himself, the two parted ways in 1994 following a dispute over ownership of Brooklyn rapper Dana Dane's music.
In June of 1987, Michael was arrested and charged with the kidnapping and attempted murder of James Lester, a member of the Harris' cocaine organization. Lester testified that Michael suspected him of embezzling $100,000 of the proceeds derived from the crack-houses and subsequently drove him, accompanied by two other men, to the Mojave Desert's Antelope Valley where he was shot and left to die. Michael was convicted in June of 1988 and eventually sentenced to 28 years in prison.
He reportedly retained prominent California attorney David Kenner to oversee his appeal following the conviction.
In September of 1987, David paid $150,000 for a 37-foot speedboat. He was killed when the boat sank in the Long Beach Harbor on May 29, 1988.
On August 26, 1988, the DEA seized Harris' hilltop mansion worth $1.1 million and located in the San Fernando Valley's celebrity-filled Encino neighborhood. Owing to the Federal Asset Forfeiture Act of 1984, authorities eventually seized assets belonging to the Harris' worth $3.2 million, including two other houses in neighboring Tarzana, as well as five luxury cars, including a 1981 Mercedes-Benz and a 1988 Jaguar.
Michael married Lydia Robinson inside Tehachapi Prison, located in California's Cummings Valley. The nuptials were presided over by the same judge who convicted and sentenced him.
San Quentin Warden Robert L. Ayers, Jr. and Harry O
Harris was briefly a cellmate of fellow Los Angeles drug kingpin Rick "Freeway Ricky" Ross, who was a friend of Harris' brother David. According to Ross, he advised Harris to utilize Andre "Dr. Dre" Young to produce songs for Lydia and was even present when Harris and Knight met in person.
Harris initially became acquainted with Young's then-manager Marion "Suge" Knight via telephone and the two met in person while Harris was detained at the MDC Los Angeles (Metropolitan Detention Center, Los Angeles).
While incarcerated, Harris made the introduction between Marion "Suge" Knight, Jr. and David Kenner in October 1991 in the interest of furthering his wife Lydia's singing career. Knight visited Harris in detention at Tehachapi Prison several times during the production and release of Death Row's first offering: Knight's business partner Andre "Dr. Dre" Young's solo debut album, The Chronic.
It's worth noting that inmates of the California state prison system are legally barred from operating businesses. However, beginning in the 1990s, Lydia Harris has linked several six-figure deals with recording industry giants. While both husband and wife have acknowledged that Michael has been involved in these discussions, they deny that he served in a CEO capacity.
In May of 1992, Harris' wife Lydia and Suge Knight's legal counsel and Harris' former attorney, David Kenner, filed incorporation papers for the company Godfather Entertainment (GFE, Inc.), which became the parent company of Death Row Records.
Knight even installed a black telephone in the Death Row recording studio that was only to be used to receive collect calls from Harris in prison. All Death Row staff members and visitors to the studio were notified to never tie up the line.
Tupac Shakur, David Kenner, "Suge" Knight and Snoop
In 1993, Lydia secured a $150,000 production deal with Motown Records subsidiary, PolyGram Records. She also landed a $250,000 deal with Sony subsidiary, Relativity Records for Pittsburgh rapper Blak Czer's 1994 album Tales From Da Blak Side, which was released through her Lifestyle Records. After signing New York rapper Dana "Dana Dane" McLeese to Lifestyle Records, Lydia negotiated a $500,000 recording deal for him with Interscope Records.
In 1994, Michael's daughter Lydasia was conceived during a conjugal visit with Lydia.
That same year, Lydia signed a $ 200,000 publishing deal with Viacom subsidiary Famous Music on behalf of legendary Long Beach, CA producer Kevin "DJ Battlecat" Gilliam, who composed several songs for Lifestyle. 1994 also marked the inking of a $2 million deal with Time Warner subsidiary, the now-defunct Maverick Records, which was co-founded and co-owned by 1980s and 90s pop superstar Madonna. The deal resulted in the release of McLeese's third and final studio album, 1995's Rollin' Wit Dana Dane, which was largely produced by Gilliam. However, that same year, Maverick Records dissolved its relationship with Lifestyle. Maverick co-founder Frederick DeMann visited Michael Harris in prison several times during the Maverick-Lifestyle venture. DeMann's resume also includes acting as manager for Madonna, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Billy Idol and Shakira.
In late 1995/early 1996, Harris issued a letter to Death Row Records' distributor, Interscope Records, threatening to file suit if he was not compensated for his initial investment of $1.5 million in the label in late 1991. No suit was filed and Harris' wife was paid $300,000 by Death Row's distributor, Interscope Records.
In 1996, Harris declined a deal, offered by the government, that would grant him early release in exchange for his testimony against Knight.
Michael "Harry O" Harris, Lydia Harris and Leigh Savidge
In May of 1997, following the much-publicized death of Death Row Records' flagship recording artist Tupac Shakur and the incarceration of label head Suge Knight for a parole violation caught on camera, federal agents representing the FBI, IRS and ATF sought to determine a link, if any, between Death Row, Harris and Patrick Johnson, a convicted PCP kingpin and former client of Kenner.
Harris was transferred to the MDC Los Angeles (Metropolitan Detention Center, Los Angeles) by order of subpoena soon after the investigation was launched.
Knight denied receiving any start-up funds from Harris, though both he and Kenner thanked Harris during speeches they gave at a February 22, 1992 Godfather Entertainment party hosted at the now-defunct Beverly Hills restaurant, Chasen's. The speeches were captured on a videotape, which the FBI subsequently seized.
Meanwhile, that same year, Lydia founded another music label, New Image Entertainment. The company's first album, Life After Evolution: Reality Check, was released in August of 1997.
In March of 2005, Lydia Harris was awarded $107 million as a result of her 2002 lawsuit, which never made it to trial, against Knight and Death Row alleging that he owed her unpaid profits from the label due to her role as a co-founder. Harris was awarded $60 million in punitive damages, $45 million in economic damages and $2 million in non-economic damages.
That June, Michael's attorney, Steven Goldberg, filed for divorce from Lydia Harris on his client's behalf. During the proceedings, Michael, who was serving his sentence at California's Soledad State Prison, sought half of the nine-figure judgement from Knight as community property. He was brought to the Monterey County courthouse in which the proceedings took place in handcuffs and accompanied by a SWAT team. During the divorce litigation, both testified that Lydia sued Knight on behalf of Michael. Michael was quoted as stating, "I was the one making all major client decisions on behalf of the marital estate, even though Lydia was technically named the plaintiff in the matter. Lydia simply accepted whatever decision [her lawyer] and I made jointly."
That same year, Harris became eligible for parole. He eventually broke ties with Kenner and hired one of the prosecutors during the "O.J. Trial", Christopher Darden, as his attorney.
As of January of 2021, Harris was being held at FCI Lompoc (Federal Correctional Institution, Lompoc), a low-security federal prison located 175 miles northwest of Los Angeles. However, outgoing president Donald Trump issued a commutation, one of more than 140, for Harris on January 19, 2021, the day before his successor's inauguration. The Trump administration issued the following statement, calling Harris: "...a former entrepreneur and has mentored and taught fellow prisoners how to start and run businesses. He has completed courses towards business and journalism degrees. Upon his release, Mr. Harris will have a meaningful place of employment and housing with the support of his family." Rapper Calvin "Snoop" Broadus, who was formerly signed to Death Row Records, reportedly campaigned for Harris' pardon.
James "Lil' J" Prince, CEO of Rap-A-Lot Records
Michael "Harry O" Harris and Relana Harris
Lydia Harris with Boyz II Men
11 comments:
where is Harry O now? HAS HE BEEN RELEASED?
Yes! Finally someone writes about b.
He's doing his federal time now Anyeta...
His federal time, right. Is it possible harryO will ever come home?
Hello, can someone update me? where is he at now? present day
Anyeta Lael, I sent you an invitation a while back because I wanted to give you an update.
Here's the link for his Change.org Petition: https://www.change.org/p/mykel-harris-free-our-father-michael-harris
Here's the link for his profile on The CAN-DO Website: https://www.candoclemency.com/michael-harris/
Thank you so much for asking...Cheryl
An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague
who had been doing a little research on this. And he actually bought me breakfast simply because I stumbled upon it for him...
lol. So allow me to reword this.... Thank YOU for the meal!!
But yeah, thanks for spending time to discuss this subject here on your website.
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
Did you create this website yourself or did
you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply
as I'm looking to create my own blog and would
like to find out where u got this from. kudos
Hi i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anyplace, when i read this post i thought i
could also create comment due to this good post.
Donald Trump Signed, & Issued Harry-O a full pardon, his last day as President, on Jan 19th 2021.
Snoop Dogg has been friends with Harry-O since the early Death Row Records days, & probably had something to do with that hook up, from Trump
!
32 YRS along time to let a Genius think HE HOME NOW
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