Veteran entertainment executive Phil Robinson‘s cause of death has been officially confirmed by his family following initial reports that inaccurately cited cancer as the cause.
In a statement released to clarify the circumstances surrounding his passing, a family spokesperson shared, “Phil passed away from complications related to sickle cell disease.”
Robinson, who was one of the oldest known individuals living with sickle cell disease, defied the odds by maintaining a long, successful career while privately managing the debilitating condition.
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In music, Robinson worked closely with some of the industry’s most influential figures, including Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Sean “Diddy” Combs.
He joined Reid at Island Def Jam under Universal Music Group and played a pivotal role in brokering Sean John’s landmark $100 million deal with investor Ron Burkle through the Yucaipa Companies.
His influence extended into television, where he helped shape a number of popular and culturally significant reality programs.
He co-created MTV’s hit competition series Making the Band and was instrumental in producing other Diddy-fronted shows such as I Want to Work for Diddy, Choose or Lose: Vote or Die, and HBO’s Bad Boys of Comedy.
Later in his career, Robinson collaborated with Mike Tyson Entertainment and served as an executive producer of VH1’s Basketball Wives, one of the network’s most successful franchises.
Phil Robinson is survived by his wife, Rocío Castro-Robinson, and their daughter, Sophie Brixton Robinson.
VIBE sends our condolences to the Robinson family
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