Clive Davis was honored with the Legacy Award at the 2025 Apollo Theater Spring Benefit on Wednesday (June 4).
The legendary music industry executive hit the red carpet of the star-studded gala wearing a metallic suit coat, and posed for photos with attendees like Busta Rhymes, Larry Jackson, Sherri Shepherd, Jawn Murray and more.
The benefit reportedly raised more than $5 million for the renovation of the iconic New York City landmark — which has served as a centerpiece of Black music, culture and artistry in the heart of Harlem for more than a century — and featured performances by Method Man, Rhymes, and Deborah Cox and Shoshana Bean.
To help pay tribute to Davis, Whitney Houston’s sister-in-law Pat Houston offered heartfelt remarks during the ceremony, reflecting on the record executive’s unbreakable bond with the late superstar. “I could never speak about Clive and not mention Whitney, and I can never speak about Whitney without speaking of Clive,” she said. “The only thing I wish for tonight is Whitney were here to speak instead of me, because I know how proud she would be of you at this moment.”
Elsewhere over the course of the night, Teyana Taylor was the recipient of the Apollo Theater’s first-ever Innovator Award, more than two decades after she first performed on its stage at just eight years old.
Below, swipe through Billboard’s gallery of photos from the Apollo’s Spring Benefit, including snaps of Davis’ acceptance speech, Cox and Bean’s soaring duet, Rhymes’ performance with an assist from Spliff Star and more.
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Image Credit: Larry Busacca/Courtesy DKC Spliff Star (left) and Busta Rhymes performing at the 2025 Apollo Theater Spring Benefit on June 04, 2025 in New York.
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Image Credit: Larry Busacca/Courtesy DKC From left: Deborah Cox, Clive Davis, and Shoshana Bean backstage at the 2025 Apollo Theater Spring Benefit on June 04, 2025 in New York.
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Image Credit: Larry Busacca/Courtesy DKC Shoshana Bean (left) and Deborah Cox performing at the 2025 Apollo Theater Spring Benefit on June 04, 2025 in New York.
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Image Credit: Larry Busacca/Courtesy DKC From left: Larry Jackson, Clive Davis, and Busta Rhymes at the 2025 Apollo Theater Spring Benefit on June 04, 2025 in New York.
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Image Credit: Larry Busacca/Courtesy DKC Clive Davis speaks after accepting his Legacy Award at the 2025 Apollo Theater Spring Benefit on June 04, 2025 in New York.
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Image Credit: Larry Busacca/Courtesy DKC Pat Houston and Clive Davis at the 2025 Apollo Theater Spring Benefit on June 04, 2025 in New York.
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Image Credit: Larry Busacca/Courtesy DKC From left: Clive Davis, Sherri Shepherd, and Jawn Murray at the 2025 Apollo Theater Spring Benefit on June 04, 2025 in New York.
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Image Credit: Larry Busacca/Courtesy DKC Standing from left: Pat Houston, Apollo President and CEO Michelle Ebanks, and Larry Jackson with Clive Davis at his Walk of Fame Induction during the 2025 Apollo Theater Spring Benefit on June 04, 2025 in New York.
