India Arie Simpson, who performs as India.Arie, is condemning Clive Davis’ impact on the music industry after the record mogul died on June 22 at age 94.
In a June 23, Threads post, the “Video” singer, 50, called out the late music titan, known for spearheading the careers of legendary artists like Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel. India.Arie said Davis was at the top of the dominant record labels that “hurt lots of artists.”
“Mark my words ~ Watch what kind of archival interviews are about to come out. I would tell my story too, but mine is minimal compared to what you’re about to hear,” she wrote. “when people talk about the music industry being so awful. It’s the record label executives that do that.”
The four-time Grammy winner emphasized that “as forward these words may be, this is the diplomatic version.”
USA TODAY has reached out to Davis’ representatives for comment.
India.Arie has a reputation of advocating for self-empowerment and social consciousness in her music, as well as being outspoken on race and cultural identity issues. Throughout her career, she was signed to Motown Records, Universal Republic Records, and in 2008 she founded her own independent imprint, SoulBird Music, in partnership with Universal Republic Records.
Davis is credited with elevating musical talent into landmark artists, including Janis Joplin, Santana, Barry Manilow, Chicago, Pink Floyd, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Aerosmith.
His family confirmed his death in a statement shared with USA TODAY, saying he “passed away peacefully from age-related illness” at his Manhattan home on June 22, “surrounded by his family and loved ones.” He had recently been hospitalized for an upper respiratory infection.
Often described as the man with the “golden ear,” Clive Davis helmed major record companies including Columbia and Arista Records, and is credited with discovering several music superstars including Pink Floyd, Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Whitney Houston and Barry Manilow.
From his major achievements to the artists he mentored, see the legendary executive’s career in photos.(Getty Images)
See Clive Davis with Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and more in iconic career
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Music mogul Clive Davis, one of the most influential record moguls in music has died, June 22, 2026.
Often described as the man with the “golden ear,” Clive Davis helmed major record companies including Columbia and Arista Records, and is credited with discovering several music superstars including Pink Floyd, Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Whitney Houston and Barry Manilow.
From his major achievements to the artists he mentored, see the legendary executive’s career in photos.(Getty Images)More
Clive Davis previously led Arista records and J Records
Davis was named as president of Columbia Records in 1966 and by 1974, he launched Arista Records, where he achieved massive success steering the careers of Carly Simon, The Grateful Dead and Aretha Franklin.
One of his biggest discoveries was undoubtedly Whitney Houston. In Davis’ 2013 memoir, “The Soundtrack of My Life,” he wrote that not even he could successfully intervene to curb her drug use despite the pair sharing a long professional relationship throughout her career.
Davis left Arista in 2000 after learning that executives at BMG Entertainment, the label’s parent company, were planning to replace him with L.A. Reid. That same year, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame before going on to found J Records.
He also served as co-producer of the 2022 Houston biopic “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” in which Stanley Tucci portrayed him. Davis previously told USA TODAY that the film was one of his “most meaningful” projects.
Contributing: Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: India.Arie blames Clive Davis, music execs for industry being awful
