In 1978 the Robinsons founded Sugar Hill Records, taking its name from the affluent African American neighborhood in Harlem, New York. | New York Post", "Sylvia Robinson: Pioneering Record Producer, Ushered in Era of Rap | Kate Kelly", "Update Our Culture, Not Just Copyright Laws", "Paula Wagner Developing Sylvia Robinson Biopic", "Sugar Hill Record's Co-Founder Sylvia Robinson Biopic in the Works", "Justin Simien Directing Sylvia Robinson Biopic", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sylvia_Robinson&oldid=1146519398, 20th-century African-American women singers, American people who self-identify as being of Native American descent, Burials at George Washington Memorial Park (Paramus, New Jersey), Sugar Hill Records (hip hop label) artists, Washington Irving High School (New York City) alumni, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, "Have You Had Any Lately?" Originally hailing from Harlem, New York, Antonio Jordan currently resides in Englewood, New Jersey. Always looking to have a good time, Rhondo enjoys playing basketball, watching documentaries, and seeking inspiration from the travel channel. Sylvia had the talent and the ability for a planB songwriting and production but there was little precedent for a woman in that role. Kerrs turn as an All Platinum artist, with a song called Three Minutes to Hey Girl, had come with a price a shared production credit with Sylvia where none was warranted and a knowledge that he wasnt being paid his fair share. In 2014, Joey sold the film rights to Sylvia Robinsons life story to producer Paula Wagner. Bottoms and her mom, Sylvia Robinson, are close. "White Lines" peaked at No. Darnell fell in love with music and began recording songs as a child at the Sugarhill studio. But when the Robinsons couldnt monetize the assets, that partnership ended in litigation. His grievances werent unique. The Robinsons would need the cash: By the late 1990s, Joe had been stricken with cancer; Kerr, despite their difficult history, shuttled him to chemotherapy. Fresh from a religious retreat to salve her burdened soul, she decided that she had found her personal and financial deliverance. [35] Robinson also owned another New York bar and nightclub named the Blue Morocco during the mid-1960s. Sylvia began singing blues at 14. Faced with the school's collapse, Sylvia returns to the North to raise funds. The catch: They wouldnt get any money upfront, and their prized Chess Records catalog would be held as collateral against any losses. Leland Robinson Jr. grew up in Englewood, NJ where he was fortunate enough to not only be raised by his parents, but also his grandmother, "The Mother of Hip-Hop", Sylvia Robinson. In order for Rolling Stone to compose this list, the business asked 33 different artists and experts from every genre of music including Busta Rhymes, Boots Riley, The coup, Mike Diamond, from the Beastie Boys and Talib Kweli. In 1956 the duo recorded the rock single Love Is Strange by Jody Williams and Bo Diddley, which reached No. Rhondo Robinson, Jr. grew up in Englewood, NJ and recognized at an early age that he came from a very special family. After several more releases including the modestly successful "There Oughta Be a Law", Mickey & Sylvia split up in 1958 and she later married Joseph Robinson. One of the most important lessons Leland learned from his father was the power of music publishing, which is today one of the key components of Sugarhill's business. Sylvia White at Olympedia; This page was last edited on 27 November 2021, at 10:11 (UTC). 3. While working as a maid with her mother, Somaya was discovered and brought in to meet with William Morris agents. I produced that song. And Sylvia is the reason why. Dan Charnas later added: She was the mother of the hip-hop business and a pioneer.. The record label is responsible for mega-hits like White Line, The Message, Apache, and Rappers Delight. Sylvia Robinson (birth name Sylvia Vanterpool) was an American record label executive, record producer, musician, andsinger, who is best known as an artist for singles Pillow Talk and Love Is Strange., Robinson is also the co-founder and CEO of the hip-hop record label Sugar Hill Records.. Robinson was born as Sylvia Vanderpool[12] on May 29, 1935, in Harlem, New York, United States, to Herbert, an immigrant from the Virgin Islands who worked for General Motors,[13] and Ida Vanterpool. Sylvia is the wife of Alberto and the mother of Ruthie. With years of influence by her family's music, it was only a matter of time before she decided to enter into the music scene herself. She gave my credit to Leland for a [high school] graduation present. Antonio has been involved in the family business for about two years now and has gotten to where he is today by working hard and never giving up on his dreams. in May 1973, and earned a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 1974 Grammy Awards. "I paid for the session, taught Tina the song; that's me playing guitar," Robinson said in a 1981 interview with Black Radio Exclusive.[16]. The erasure of womens work remains a less-explored injustice of the rough-and-tumble early history of the record business. She identified with the story more than a bit Wagner had risen from agent to producer to CEO of United Artists until a messy exit and split from her business partner Tom Cruise in 2008. " White Lines (Don't Don't Do It) " is a song by American hip hop recording artist Melle Mel, released as a 12" in 1983 on Sugar Hill Records. In 1995, Sylvia Ipock White was tried on an indictment of first-degree murder of her stepson, Billy C. White II. The second best result is Sylvia Robinson age -- in Linden, PA. Sylvia is related to Kimberly E Robinson . There were no torn edges, teeth imprints, or bite or chew marks on the plastic, said the court testimonial. Joey was 53. Lady Luck, born Shanell Jones, is a triple RIAA gold and platinum certified American Rap Artist who's great aunt is Sylvia Robinson, founder of Sugarhill Records. Although known for being more on the quiet side, he does tend to be spontaneous, which has led to numerous adventures around the world. Whatever an eventual film may portray, the story of Sylvia Robinson doesnt tie up neatly. Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 28, 2023. Robinson earned most of her wealth from being the co-founder of Sugar Hill Records. Once he got the gist of working in-house for a label, Leland realized the value of working alongside his parents and brothers, so he threw in the towel at the label and went back to join his family at Sugarhill. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. The duo split up in 1959, and later Sylvia married Joseph Robinson and resumed her solo career under the name Sylvia Robbins. Father of 7 found dead surrounded by 90 shell casings at apartment complex, GA cops say, Woman injured in shooting at North Kansas City hotel involving man she met online, Car crash becomes homicide case after CMPD finds driver had multiple gunshot wounds, 25-mile-long wave of trash washing up on Outer Banks is linked to US Navy, park says, Severe storms with high winds, hail expected to roll into Triangle, central NC Sunday, Womans claims led to Emmett Tills lynching. Join Facebook to connect with Sylvia Robinson and others you may know. Robinson was married to businessman Joseph Robinson Sr. (19322000)[29] from May 1959 until their amicable divorce in the late 1980s. LeA is an outgoing, ambitious, and eccentric singer, songwriter and dancer whom has performed at events such as NBA basketball games to The Waldorf Astoria to the United Nations International Year of Youth Conference. Rivera was born in New York City in 1951 to a . Tavius Robinson was drafted with pick 124 of round 4 in the 2023 draft class. In Leland Jr.'s free time he loves trying out exciting restaurants, watching new films, and going out with friends and family. After hearing Pharrell Williams' produced hit, Grindin' by The Clipse, Rhondo was inspired to take the next step in his career and create beats of his own. That year, Baker provided vocals and Robinson played guitar on Ike & Tina Turner's hit single "It's Gonna Work Out Fine" which earned Ike & Tina their first Grammy nomination. According to a new report from Deadline, 'Dear White People' director Justin Simien will direct the untitled Sylvia Robinson biopic for Warner Bros.. Throughout her life, she fought against the exclusion of transgender people, especially transgender people of color, from the larger movement for gay rights. The court also recorded that White had taken out a $15,000 life insurance policy on the young boy days before his death. In the 1970s, the Robinsons founded Sugar Hill Records. Robinson's 2022 season is the only one to produce both 6.0-plus yards per rush and at least 16.0 yards per reception. According to WITN, White was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of her stepson in Lenoir County and found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of her husband, which occurred in Jones County. Shes arguably one of the most consequential producers and label owners of all time. Wilson Jacobs, the school is overcrowded and severely underfunded by local white authorities. . In 2000, Sylvia received a Pioneer Award at the Annual Rhythm and Blues Awards Gala. It might be you, your brother, or your dad. I made a lot of money with Sylvia and Joe, says Kerr. Soon after, she immediately landed leading comedic roles in over 45 national commercials, and went on to have various speaking roles in scripted films and television shows. Rhondo has gotten to where he is today by surrounding himself with positive influencers, practicing nonstop, and always pushing himself to be better. The Falcons take Texas RB Bijan Robinson. When Homer sees Marge's silhouette through the cabin window, Marge tells Alberto to hide in a chest at the end of the bed. And Sylvia Robinson, as she and Joe tell the story, was behind the boards to record major hits for Ike& Tina Turner and Jones. [14][37], In 2014, producer Paula Wagner acquired the film rights to Robinson's life story from her son, Joey Robinson, an executive at Sugar Hill Records. 17 on the UK Singles Chart, No. Alison Cutler is a National Real Time Reporter for the Southeast at McClatchy. She launched Bon Ami Records in 1989 with an album from an East Orange, N.J., rap group called The New Style. This single had more promo releases than most bands have releases, and across this myriad of 12" and CD singles the band released more than 20 distinct remixes and edits of "White Lines", many of which were crafted by DJ Junior Vasquez. But that year also brought the debut of Run-D.M.C., whose Sucker MCs marked the overthrow of the Sugar Hill sound on the streets. It was not only the first rap single to conquer the radio and the charts topping Billboards R&B tally and reaching No. Originally, it was intended to be an ironic celebration of a cocaine-fueled party lifestyle, but it was abridged with the "don't do it" message as a concession to commercial considerations. He is not bi-racial. To lend validity to the song the group, now a quartet, enlisted Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five as well as Melle Mel to lend background vocals. It was in the midst of this tumult that Sylvia visited Harlem World, a two-story nightclub on the corner of Lenox and 116th Street that had become by the summer of 1979 one of the few spots in New York that brought the flourishing culture of beats and rhymes indoors from the blacktops and parks. [42] In October 2018, it was announced that Wagner and Warner Bros. were still moving forward with the film, Spellman and Rodriguez had been joined by Tracy Oliver in completing the script, Justin Simien had been attached as the director, and that Oliver would join Robinson's son Leland as executive producers.[44]. 5 on the US Dance Club Songs chart, No. The single reached No. Sylvia! A little less high-hat here. According to court records, White was convicted of hiring a hit man to kill her husband, Billy White. The family of Billy White, who died in 1973, has been fighting the womans release ever since. Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. The song reached number #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it spent two weeks at #1 on the Best Selling Soul Singles chart. Despite the tireless efforts Sylvia and her mentor, Rev. Sylvia has three sons, Joey, Leland. She is credited for being the dynamic force behind two landmark hip-hop singles, Rappers Delight by the Sugar Hill Gang released in 1980 and The Message by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five in 1982. Walking back into the station, they put Kerr on the phone with Joe (We got him, Joe!), who convinced a reluctant Kerr to fly to Newark, N.J., for a meeting. Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone. Joe, with his years in the numbers game and New York nightlife, had amassed a lifetime of relationships with Harlem kingpins like Nicky Barnes and industry operators like Morris Levy and Nate McCalla, who were both tied to the Genovese family. How do you call your Lover Boy? She was given two life sentences and 10 years for conspiracy, WNCT reported. If childhood was a. And Sylvia Robinson, who should be honored as one of the first black female creatives and businesswomen.. View the profiles of people named Sylvia Robinson. Atticus is the Father of Jem and Scout, he sits on the Alabama State Legislature and acts as Maycomb's leading attorney. In 1956, the duo now known as Mickey & Sylvia, recorded the Bo Diddley and Jody Williams-penned rock single, "Love Is Strange", which topped the R&B chart and reached number eleven on the Billboard pop chart in early 1957. Sylvias nieces had taken her there for a party, but she was floored by the sight of Lovebug Starski rapping over the break from Chics Good Times, the hit of the summer. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. 3 on the Hot100, thrusting Sylvia back into the spotlight. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. Leland Jr.'s father and two uncles instilled a sense of entrepreneurship in him at an early age, which has inspired him throughout his life to always take on new opportunities. Screengrab from WITN broadcast. 20072023 Blackpast.org. The song had become widely known as raps first hit. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. Leland now hopes to pass on the torch and encourage his children to push and pursue their own careers within the music business. But in the mid-1980s, the game was Sugar Hills to lose, and it lost because big money had reinforced its bad habits. Kerr, a former Motown artist, knew Gordy was never going to release a deep cut as a single, and his quickly assembled Whatnauts imitation was a play to shave off customers who didnt want to buy a full Temptations album just to own the song. The parking lot at 96 WestSt. filled with expensive automobiles. The last straw for Wimbish came after he and Mel composed and recorded a song for a soundtrack to Miami Vice. Then in 1956 she had success with " Love Is Strange ," a duet under the name Mickey & Sylvia with Mickey Baker (her former guitar tutor). As long as they didnt have any access to their money. 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 was first eligible in 2005. It was the 13th best-selling single of 1984 in the UK, selling more than several number one hits that year. While there, he worked on projects for artists such as Queen Pen, 3LW, and a budding R&B group called Sanity. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. Born on August 14, 1961 in Washington, DC. She is survived by her three sons Joey, Leland, and Rhondo, and ten grandchildren. She needs to rot there, Billy Whites daughter, Teresa Murray, told WNCT when White was up for a different parole hearing. The Comedy Central app has full episodes of your favorite shows available now. No stranger to the spotlight, Somaya started out her reality television career on Love and Hip Hop New York, which brought in over 11 million weekly viewers, and after three seasons she moved onto starring in the hit series Famously Single on E!. He received his first taste of stardom as one of the first African American teenagers to be featured on the MTV hit show, My Super Sweet 16. "Her business opened the doors for all the independents that followed, from Def Jam to Top Dawg, and her music pioneered distinct concepts that set the template for hip hop's entire creative arc. Forty years ago, in the summer of 1979, Rappers Delight by The Sugarhill Gang transformed the street culture of hip-hop into a commercially viable art form. But to credit where credit is due: From Mel to Kurtis Blow, from Russell to Rick, from Latifah to Missy, Biggie to 2Pac, Jay to Dame, Kim to Foxy, Wayne to Drake, Nicki to Cardi, every dollar hip-hop earns, mother made possible. In June of 1973, Billy C. White II was taken to the emergency room where he was pronounced dead, believed to have swallowed a piece of plastic. Get a VIP pass to never-before-seen content, exclusive sweepstakes, and much more! In 1950, she began recording music under the alias Little Sylvia for Columbia Records. He shows this in many ways including defending a black man Tom Robinson, wrongfully accused of raping a white woman. In addition, she was the founder of the hip-hop label Sugar Hill Records. Record number of inmates died in North Carolina jails. Most recently, Somaya has partnered with her girlfriend Lady Luck to launch a joint record label and television/film production venture, "La Rosa Ent" and "The Greatest Entertainment." The late singer Sylvia Robinson also known by her stage name, Little Sylvia, was considered the Mother of Hip-Hop. Soon as you pissed em off, they would cut you off and ice you.. She was good.. (Sung) Baby/ Oh baby/ My sweet baby/ Youre the one.. Before then, she had been Little Sylvia Vanderpool, a teen artist releasing a string of minor R&B singles on the Savoy and Jubilee labels between 1951 and 1953. In a 2005 Rappers Delight retrospective in Vanity Fair, she sounded as bitter as any of the artists who had left the label: I made a lot of people a lot of millions, and I got jerked. So she and Joe settled into nascent black suburbia in Englewood, N.J., and had three sons: JoeJr. (aka Joey), Leland and Rhondo. She found three young unknown male rappers in Englewood, New JerseyBig Bank Hang, Master Gee, and Wonder Mikeand persuaded them to improvise their rhymes and record them as the Sugar Hill Gang. Stiff competition, a disintegrating roster and cash-flow problems prompted the Robinsons to cast about for corporate partners. No kidding! At Sugar Hill Records, she never dealt with the business side of things, only the creative, according to her statement: I never handled the business side I was the producer, the co-writer, the A&R person. Robinson went on to say: I was in the studio 20 hours a day.. 20 in Australia and No. Not long after Joey buried his brother, he walked into a meeting with Hollywood producer Paula Wagner and told her his mothers story. Sylvia Robinson, Pioneering Producer of Hip-Hop, Is Dead at 75, First was Bijan Robinson, who came off the board at No. Antonio's biggest priority in life is to provide for his two daughters and inspire them to reach their full potential, as his own family did for him. Word nerd with an unhealthy obsession with politics who happens to be a paranormal fiction author. Planning to make her mark by staying true to God and her purpose, LeA is currently recording a much-anticipated EP, entitled S.A.Y. (Songs About You). Still in pursuit of continuing his family's monumental legacy, Darnell made his way back to his native New Jersey, and used his knowledge of the music business to help guide the careers of fellow artists who want to make it to the top. Sugarhill Records is responsible for mega hits like, "Rapper's. Morris Levy put Milton Malden in there to watch the money.. The 4-year-old boys death was ruled accidental at the time. I simply say With "Rapper's Delight," the Englewood, N.J.-based Sugar Hill was able to claim it had the first rap hit in history. I did the drum track. The song, which warns against the dangers of cocaine, addiction, and drug smuggling, is one of Mel's signature tracks. Sylvia Robinson: Pioneering Record Producer, Ushered in Era of Rap, Sugar Hill did not get proper clearance to use "Cavern," resulting in years of lawsuits, ultimately in Liquid Liquid's favor. In 1982 Sylvia Robinson with Grandmaster Melle Mel, produced the record "The Message", which was performed by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five. They would go to a restaurant The Palm, whatever. Then he would drop her off, go home. Sylvia is related to Daniel Donnell Robinson and Jeffery D Robinson as well as 3 additional people. . She wasnt the same. Her spirit was further gutted in 2002 when a fire ripped through the studios on West Street in Engelwood, destroying the building and most of Sugar Hills masters. Her father has worked for General Motors. The song was co-written by Melle Mel and Sylvia Robinson. Still, with impressive scores at the 2023 NFL Combine (4.66 40-yard dash, 10-foot broad jump and 23 bench press reps), we can see that Robinson is a football player, through . Subjects: African American History, People Terms: 20th Century (1900-1999) They have also lived in Conyers, GA and Croydon, PA. Later acts signed to Sugar Hill Records included all-female rap/funk group The Sequence, featuring a teenage Angie Stone (recording as "Angie B"), who had a million-selling hit in early 1980 with "Funk U Up". Sylvia White Robinson is on Facebook. The sudden influx of cash meant that Wimbish and his peers got paid, albeit in ways that pointed to the companys complicated finances. After three years at the label, Luck parted ways to pursue an independent career. By the time they put this song together, Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five were fractured, and they broke up before it was released. Robinson was born in 1936 as Sylvia Vanderpool in New York City. In the mid-1970s, All Platinum made an expansion play for the venerated Chess Records catalog with the help of PolyGram. Sylvia White has spent almost three decades behind bars after being convicted in the killings of her husband and 4-year-old stepson. It was better off, the hit man testified that White said, according to court records. Sylvia Robinson died in 2011 at the age of 75. Facebook gives people the power. In 1985 the Sugar Hill label folded, partly because of competitor hip-hop labels such as Def Jam and Profile. An archived article from the News & Record said Billy White was found deceased by a shotgun slaying, and his body was found on a logging road after police found his van the day after he was reported missing. Two partnerships helped change that. They had a way of running stuff that was like, Just give a person enough to make em happy, Wimbish told hip-hop historian JayQuan. Pillow Talk, heralded as an early example of disco, eventually sold two million copies. There was Florence Greenberg of Scepter/Wand Records, says Rhone. The notorious ties that assured the Robinsons would themselves get paid also meant that those who expected payment from them thought twice about pressing the issue. She was the architect of their prosperity, interpolating a Bo Diddley vamp, rewriting the lyrics and adding the songs flirty repartee: Oh, lover boy Still, it was initially credited to Diddleys alias, Ethel Smith (his wifes name), likely in order for Diddley to dodge contractual commitments one woman denied credit, another used as a vessel for her husband. I didnt get nothin.. Select this result to view Sylvia Elaine Robinson's phone number, address, and more. (The song peaked at No. Sylvia Robinson (ne Vanderpool; May 29, 1935[3][4][5][7] September 29, 2011) was an American singer, record producer, and record label executive. On NBCs Steve Allen Show, their act simmered with sexual innuendo Sylvia wrapped in a sequined dress, cooing and throwing her hips at the besuited Baker. Eleven years older than Sylvia, Baker was inspired by the success of Les Paul& Mary Ford, and wanted to try a similar male-female duo. Nice, Daddy! whereupon she made what Kerr had come to know as her signature pronouncement: Thats a motherfucking smash!. Steve Baltin from Cash Box wrote, "Englands favorite former pretty boys have taken to the streets for the first single from their long-in-the-works album of covers entitled Thank You. Sylvia White has spent almost three decades behind bars after being convicted in the killings of her husband and 4-year-old stepson. In 1972 Robinson sent a demo to Al Green of a song she had written called Pillow Talk. but Green declined. She comes to the Bottoms house at 6:30 a.m. every morning, to fix breakfast for her grandkids and see them off to school. But their reputation preceded them at Columbia, an internal memo cast them as the black mafia. It was, in fact, the mob to whom they turned to facilitate a pressing-and-distribution deal with MCA in the personage of a wiseguy named Sal Pisello. She is survived by her three sons Joey, Leland, and Rhondo, and ten grandchildren. Sylvias epiphany birthed a million musical revelations. Leland is responsible for the royalties and music publishing whenever artists such as Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Wale and Justin Timberlake sample music from his family's catalogue. Perhaps no people were stunned as much as the creators of this rapping style who were across the Hudson River in New York and had never heard of any crew called The Sugarhill Gang. State prison officials say Sylvia White . The band continues to perform the song as a regular part of their live set. [22][23] The song "Rapper's Delight" (1979), performed by The Sugar Hill Gang, brought rap into the public music arena by attaining one of the first commercially successful hip hop songs[24] and revolutionized the music industry by introducing rap, scratch, and breakdance. She was genius. In 1954,Mickey Baker and Sylvia began recording together. 56 on Billboards Hot 100, and sold more than eight million copies. Robinson co-wrote and produced many of the tracks, although later she was supported by two members of The Moments, Al Goodman and Harry Ray, as well as locally based producers, George Kerr and Nate Edmonds. Although Sugar Hills first records ignored hip-hops original street culture by spotlighting the rapper and demoting the DJ, Sylvia was the first to correct the slight with 1981s cut-and-scratch landmark The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel, which paved the way for the break-, loop- and sample-driven tracks of golden age hip-hop. He said: Somebody comes, you just squeeze this.. Sunday mornings, he got up, brought bagels to the house, lox, cream cheese. White is serving two life sentences in the death of her 4-year-old stepson and hiring a hitman to kill her husband. Kerr already knew that those relationships ran along the fringes of organized crime, as was often the case for independent labels.

Mary Smith Obituary Florida, Unprecedented Times Quotes, How Do I Know If My 1965 Dime Is Silver, Pentecostal Beliefs On Marriage, Vaccine Control Group Australia, Articles I