Tyler Perry, Pharrell Williams and More Honor Clarence Avant in Touching Tributes

By Shanelle Genai

The passing of Clarence Avant, affectionately known as the “Black Godfather” of music, has those in Black Hollywood and abroad reminiscing on his life and legacy.

One of those people is Tyler Perry, who posted a series of pictures with and of Avant, reflecting on both his impact in the music business and love for his wife Jacqueline, who tragically passed away last year during a home invasion robbery.

“It is my belief that when two soulmates walk the earth together for many many years, be it through marriage or friendship or both, when one of them passes on the soul that’s left on the planet longs for that love, that companionship, that connection,” Perry began. “There is longing to be together again. As I think about the passing of Mr. Clarence Avant, I think about the beauty of him being reunited in heaven with his soulmate Jacqueline, and that makes my heart smile. I challenge anyone to try and find a corner of the music industry that wasn’t touched in the best way by Clarence Avant also know as the Black Godfather. His legacy will live on on the top shelf, because that’s how high he set the bar. And like every great legend, he left us all something to reach up for.”

He continued, “You have done all you were suppose to do here my friend and we are all the better for it. Travel well dear sir. Sending my heartfelt love to Nicole, Alex, Ted and everyone in the family.”

Pharrell Williams, music mogul in his own right also paid tribute to the legendary businessman, writing on Twitter:

“Clarance Avant was a visionary and a transcendent spirit. He is the ultimate example of what change looks like, what architecting change looks like, and what the success of change looks like. He stared adversity in the face in climates and conditions that weren’t welcoming to people that looked like him. But through his talent and relentless spirit in the pursuit to be the best of the best, he garnered the support and friendship of people who otherwise wouldn’t look in our direction. He showed them what we can be, what we can do, and how much more we can all achieve if you give us opportunity.

“He has been behind so many musical greats, people in and across the entertainment industry, and I’m so honored to have known him. He was a Godfather, a Godfather to the Black dream and a Godfather to the American dream. There will never be another like him. It’s my hope and wish that others will see what he’s done and try to go even further, because that’s what he wanted and that’s why he did what he did. He wanted to inspire. While running an extraordinary race in his lifetime, he passed the baton to us. The question now is how we’re going to honor him and what we will we do with the baton.”

“I give honor to GOD, my savior, and I give honor to his family, friends, and the countless people who have been impacted by his presence and time on this planet. Continued blessings and favor to Nicole, Alex, and Ted. Last but not least, his spirit is amongst the stars up in the heavens with The Master. Some people use the phrase ‘passed away.’ I don’t because maybe the time has passed, but I don’t know that you’re away. Clarence went back up from whence he came… heaven. Blessings,” he concluded.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, of which Avant was inducted into back in 2021, said: “2021 Inductee Clarence Avant, known as ‘The Black Godfather,’ was cool, savvy, confident, and fearless—someone who made the seemingly impossible possible. Avant served a variety of roles during his illustrious career, including manager, label owner, concert organizer, event producer, political fundraiser, and mentor. He was the quintessential impresario, with an uncanny ability to connect people, open doors, and provide opportunities for countless musicians, actors, and politicians. Hall of Famer Bill Withers perfectly summed up Avant’s impact: ‘He put people together.’