Washington [US], June 29 : Legendary music executive Clive Davis was honoured at the 2026 BET Awards during the ceremony's In Memoriam segment, just six days after his death at the age of 94.
As per The Hollywood Reporter, the tribute featured gospel singer Erica Campbell performing a medley of 'I Love the Lord,' a song she described as one of Davis' favourites.
Introducing the performance, Campbell noted that the song was famously performed by Whitney Houston and "also written by the maestro, Richard Small."
Le'Andria Johnson joined Campbell for the emotional rendition, which also paid tribute to Richard Smallwood.
The celebrated gospel musician died in late December from complications of kidney failure.
Elsewhere during the awards ceremony, singer D'Angelo was remembered in a special tribute introduced by his children.
Performances by RAYE, Durand Bernarr, Ari Lennox, BJ the Chicago Kid and George Clinton honoured the 'Unshaken' singer, who died in October after a battle with cancer.
Davis died on June 22 at the age of 94 after recently being hospitalised with an upper respiratory infection. His passing came only six days before the 2026 BET Awards.
Over a career spanning more than six decades, Davis helped launch and shape the careers of some of music's biggest names, including Janis Joplin, Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen.
He also worked with a wide range of artists such as Carlos Santana, Rod Stewart, Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, The Grateful Dead, Alicia Keys, Simon and Garfunkel, Jennifer Hudson, Barry Manilow, Pink Floyd, Earth Wind and Fire, Aerosmith, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Kenny G, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson and Patti Smith.
Following his death, tributes poured in from across the music industry.
Bruce Springsteen wrote that Davis "changed my life when he signed me to Columbia Records," while Carlos Santana remembered him as a "visionary," in a tribute post on Instagram.
The 2026 BET Awards aired live on Sunday, June 28, from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on BET and other Paramount networks.