Jermaine Dupri is making it clear that Clive Davis’ impact on Black music deserves more than a passing mention.
Following Davis’ death at 94, the So So Def founder urged BET to honor the legendary music executive with a major tribute at the upcoming BET Awards. In an Instagram reel, Dupri said Davis “put Black music on the forefront” and argued that his legacy should be recognized in a powerful way.
“And he really did this s**t different than any other white executive that I’ve ever seen,” Dupri said. “I mean, you had to be going to Clive Davis’ parties to understand what I’m saying.”
Dupri continued, “And he really understood what Black music meant to the world and what Black music meant to the music business, right? That’s why his party was so popping. He was a white man with a party that had all the Black executives, all the Black artists, all the Black music wanted to be at a Clive Davis party.”
Davis died peacefully from an age-related illness at his Manhattan home on Monday, June 22. He had recently been hospitalized for an upper respiratory issue before returning home.
Davis’ career stretched across seven decades. The Brooklyn-born executive rose from Columbia Records’ legal department to become one of the most powerful figures in music. He helped shape the careers of Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Santana, Aretha Franklin, Patti Smith, Barry Manilow, and more. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and earned multiple Grammy honors.
Still, Davis’ legacy was not without controversy. He was fired from CBS in 1973 following allegations tied to expense reports and a wider payola investigation. He later pleaded guilty to one tax-related count and was otherwise exonerated. His strong creative control also sparked criticism from artists, including Kelly Clarkson, who once pushed back against his memoir and said, “Growing up is awesome because you learn you don’t have to cower to anyone – even Clive Davis.”
Despite the criticism, Davis’ family remembered him as a towering force in music.
“To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives,” the family said, per People. “He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations.”
For Dupri, that impact is exactly why BET should give Davis an “extravagant” tribute. And considering Davis’ deep connection to Black artists, executives, and culture, the call is already sparking a bigger conversation about how the industry remembers the people who helped move the music forward.
