Patti LaBelle, the legendary soul singer, recently revealed startling insights into the tragic demise of her friend and fellow musician, Phyllis Hyman. In a candid interview, LaBelle did not hold back in her criticisms of Clive Davis, the influential music producer, suggesting that his actions significantly contributed to Hyman’s untimely death at the age of 45.
Phyllis Hyman, known for her powerful voice and striking stage presence, struggled with personal demons throughout her career. According to LaBelle, the pressures exerted by Davis, her producer at Arista Records, exacerbated Hyman’s struggles, pushing her towards a tragic end. LaBelle described Hyman as a “majestic” talent who was continually stifled by the music industry’s demands and manipulations, personified in Davis’s controlling influence.
LaBelle explained that Davis wanted to mold Hyman into a pop star, a genre shift Hyman resisted vehemently. Her heart was firmly rooted in soul and R&B, and she refused to abandon her artistic integrity. This resistance led to numerous clashes between Hyman and Davis. LaBelle revealed that Davis even suggested Hyman dye her hair blonde to appeal to a broader, predominantly white audience, an idea that Hyman, an advocate for Black excellence, found repugnant.
The tension between Hyman and Davis only intensified when she pursued acting alongside her singing career. Davis believed that acting would distract Hyman from achieving the musical fame he envisioned for her, which led to a lack of support and promotion from Arista Records. This professional neglect took a toll on Hyman, who once enjoyed the spotlight as the star of Buddha Records, her previous label. The shift from being a celebrated artist to one marginalized by her own label was devastating for her mental health.
LaBelle’s revelations paint a picture of a talented artist caught in a web of manipulation and control. She compared Davis’s treatment of Hyman to that of a “plantation manager,” highlighting the oppressive and dictatorial nature of his management style. Hyman’s unwillingness to conform to Davis’s vision led to her being sidelined, which compounded her feelings of isolation and despair.
Hyman’s personal life mirrored her professional turmoil. Her marriage to Larry Alexander, her manager and long-time friend, ended in divorce, further plunging her into depression. Reports suggested that Hyman’s reluctance to have children and settle down, coupled with the pressures of her career, strained her marriage beyond repair.
As her mental health deteriorated, Hyman turned to substances to cope with her mounting stress and depression. Despite brief moments of triumph, such as her acclaimed performance in the Broadway play “Sophisticated Ladies,” the lack of consistent support and the constant professional battles wore her down. On June 30, 1995, Hyman was found unconscious in her New York City apartment, having taken a fatal combination of substances. She left behind a poignant note that simply read, “I’m tired.”
LaBelle’s disclosures serve as a stark reminder of the often unseen pressures faced by artists, particularly Black women in the music industry. By sharing Hyman’s story, LaBelle hopes to shed light on the industry’s darker side and advocate for a safer, more supportive environment for future generations of artists. The narrative of Phyllis Hyman’s life and death underscores the need for systemic changes within the music industry to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
