Sylvia Robinson
Sylvia Robinson (née Vanderpool; May 29, 1935[3][4][5][7] – September 29, 2011), known mononymously as Sylvia, was an American singer, and record producer. Robinson achieved success as a performer on two R&B chart toppers: as half of Mickey & Sylvia with the 1957 single "Love Is Strange", and her solo record "Pillow Talk" in 1973. She later became known for her work as founder and CEO of the pioneering hip hop label Sugar Hill Records.[8]
For the country singer, see Sylvia (singer).
Sylvia Robinson
Sylvia Vanderpool
Englewood, New Jersey, U.S.
September 29, 2011 (aged 76)[6]
Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.
- Singer
- record producer
- Vocals
- guitar
- synthesizer
1950–2011
Robinson is credited as the driving force behind two landmark singles in the hip hop genre: "Rapper's Delight" (1979) by the Sugarhill Gang,[9] and "The Message" (1982) by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, both of which she produced. At the 11th Annual Rhythm and Blues Awards Gala in 2000, she received a Pioneer Award for her career in singing and for founding Sugarhill Records.[10] Several publications have dubbed her the "Mother of Hip Hop". In 2022, she was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Ahmet Ertegun Award category for being a major influence on the creative development of hip-hop's early successes,[11] and is the first woman to receive the award unaccompanied by another person.
Life and career[edit]
Early life[edit]
Robinson was born as Sylvia Vanderpool[12] on May 29, 1935, in Harlem, New York, United States, to Herbert, who worked for General Motors,[13] and Ida Vanterpool.[3][14] Robinson attended Washington Irving High School until dropping out at the age of 14,[15] and began recording music in 1950 for Columbia Records under the stage name "Little Sylvia".
Personal life[edit]
Robinson was married to businessman Joseph Robinson Sr. from May 1959 until their amicable divorce in the late 1980s.[29] Together they had three children, sons Joseph "Joey" Robinson Jr. (1962–2015),[30][31] Leland Robinson (b. 1965 or 1966) and Rhondo "Scutchie" Robinson (1970–2014).[32] Robinson owned a bar in Harlem, New York named "Joey's Place" after her husband in the 1960s.[33] Robinson also owned another New York bar and nightclub named the Blue Morocco during the mid-1960s.[34]
Death[edit]
Robinson died on the morning of September 29, 2011, at the age of 76, at Meadowlands Hospital in Secaucus, New Jersey due to congestive heart failure.[14][35]