Sylvia Robinson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sylvia Robinson
Robinson, 1976.
Background information
Birth name	Sylvia Vanderpool
Also known as	Little Sylvia Sylvia Sylvia Robbins Shirley Robbins Mother of Hip Hop
Born	(1935-05-29)May 29, 1935 Harlem, New York, U.S.
Origin	Englewood, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	September 29, 2011(2011-09-29) (aged 76) Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres	Blues R&B rock soul funk disco hip hop
Occupation(s)	Singer record producer record label executive
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1950–2011
Labels	Savoy Columbia Jubilee Cat Groove Rainbow RCA Vik Willow Records King All Platinum Stang Vibration Sugar Hill
Associated acts	Mickey & Sylvia The Moments Retta Young Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five Sugarhill Gang The Sequence Duke Bootee Bo Diddley Bernard Edwards DJ Kool Herc

Sylvia Robinson (born Sylvia Vanderpool; May 29, 1935 – September 29, 2011) was an American singer, music producer, and record company boss. She became famous for her music in two ways. First, as half of the group Mickey & Sylvia, their song "Love Is Strange" was a big hit in 1957. Later, her solo song "Pillow Talk" also topped the charts in 1973.

Sylvia Robinson is also known for starting Sugar Hill Records. This record label played a huge part in the early days of hip hop music. She helped create two very important hip hop songs: "Rapper's Delight" (1979) by the Sugarhill Gang and "The Message" (1982) by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. She produced both of these songs. Because of her big impact, many people call her "The Mother of Hip Hop."

In 2000, she received a Pioneer Award for her singing career and for starting Sugar Hill Records. In 2022, she was honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was recognized for greatly influencing the early success of hip hop. She is only the second woman to receive this special honor.

Sylvia's Early Life and Music Career

Growing Up and Starting Music

Sylvia Vanderpool was born on May 29, 1935, in Harlem, New York. Her father, Herbert, was from the Virgin Islands. Her mother was Ida Vanterpool. Sylvia left Washington Irving High School early at age 14. She began recording music in 1950 for Columbia Records. Back then, she used the stage name "Little Sylvia."

Becoming Mickey & Sylvia

In 1954, Sylvia started working with Kentucky guitarist Mickey Baker. He taught her how to play the guitar. In 1956, they formed a duo called Mickey & Sylvia. They recorded a rock song called "Love Is Strange." This song became a number-one hit on the R&B charts. It also reached number eleven on the Billboard pop chart in early 1957.

After a few more songs, Mickey & Sylvia broke up in 1958. Sylvia then married Joseph Robinson. She started her solo music career again, sometimes using the name Sylvia Robbins. In 1960, she produced the song "You Talk Too Much" for Joe Jones. However, she did not get credit for her work.

In 1961, Mickey & Sylvia recorded more songs together. They even had their own record label called Willow Records. That same year, Sylvia played guitar on Ike & Tina Turner's hit song "It's Gonna Work Out Fine." This song earned Ike & Tina their first Grammy nomination. Sylvia later said she paid for the recording session and taught Tina the song.

In 1964, Mickey Baker moved to Paris, feeling tired of the music business.

Starting All Platinum Records

In 1966, Sylvia and Joseph Robinson moved to New Jersey. The next year, they started their own soul music record label called All Platinum Records. Their first big hit came from artist Lezli Valentine with the song "I Won't Do Anything."

In 1968, they signed a group called The Moments. This group quickly became successful with "Not on the Outside." A few years later, The Moments had their biggest hit, "Love on a Two-Way Street" (1970). Sylvia helped write and produce this song. All Platinum Records and its other labels, like Stang and Vibration, had many other hits. Sylvia often wrote and produced these songs.

Sylvia's Solo Success

In 1972, Sylvia wrote a song called "Pillow Talk." She offered it to singer Al Green, but he decided not to record it. So, Sylvia chose to record it herself. This marked her return to being a solo artist.

The song, simply credited to Sylvia, became a huge success. It reached number one on the R&B chart. It also became a top 3 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1973. She received a gold disc award for it. She was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1974.

Sylvia recorded four solo albums and had other R&B hits like "Sweet Stuff."

The Birth of Sugar Hill Records

Creating a Hip Hop Empire

In the 1970s, Sylvia and Joseph Robinson started Sugar Hill Records. They named it after the Sugar Hill area in Harlem, New York. This neighborhood was famous for its artists and performers.

The song "Rapper's Delight" (1979) by The Sugar Hill Gang was a game-changer. It was one of the first commercially successful hip hop songs. It brought rap music to a wide audience and changed the music industry forever. It introduced rap, scratching, and breakdancing to many people.

Later, Sugar Hill Records signed other acts. One was the all-female rap and funk group The Sequence. This group included a young Angie Stone. They had a million-selling hit in 1980 with "Funk U Up."

The Message: A Hip Hop Landmark

In 1982, Sylvia Robinson worked with Grandmaster Melle Mel to produce "The Message." This powerful song was performed by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five. The song talked about real life in the city. It became one of the most important songs in hip hop history.

On December 5, 2012, Rolling Stone magazine named "The Message" the number one "50 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time." They asked 33 artists and experts to create this list. Grandmaster Flash said that Sylvia Robinson kept pushing them to make a song about real life in the neighborhood. Without her strong belief and encouragement, "The Message" might never have been made. This song was also unique because the DJ, who was usually central to hip hop at the time, was not involved in creating the track.

Sugar Hill Records closed down in 1985. This was due to changes in the music industry and competition from other hip hop labels. After this, Sylvia Robinson started another record label called Bon Ami Records in 1987. This label signed a group called The New Style, who later became the famous group Naughty by Nature.

Sylvia's Personal Life

Sylvia Robinson was married to Joseph Robinson Sr. from 1959 until his death in 2000. They had three sons: Joseph "Joey" Robinson Jr., Leland Robinson, and Rhondo "Scutchie" Robinson. In the 1960s, Sylvia owned a bar in Harlem, New York, called "Joey's Place," named after her husband. She also owned another New York nightclub called the Blue Morocco.

Death

Sylvia Robinson passed away on September 29, 2011. She was 76 years old. She died at Meadowlands Hospital in Secaucus, New Jersey, due to heart failure.

Discography

Albums

• 1973: Pillow Talk (Vibration VI-126) (US #3)
• 1975: Sweet Stuff (Vibration VI-127)
• 1976: Sylvia (Vibration VI-129)
• 1977: Lay It On Me (Vibration VI-131)
• 1996: Pillow Talk: The Sensuous Sounds of Sylvia (Rhino R2-71987) (CD compilation)

Singles

Little Sylvia

• 1951: "Little Boy" / "How Long Must I Be Blue" (Savoy 816)
• 1952: "I Went To Your Wedding" / "Drive Daddy Drive" (Jubilee 5093)
• 1952: "A Million Tears" / "Don't Blame My Heart" (Jubilee 5100)
• 1953: "The Ring" / "Blue Heaven" (Jubilee 5113)
• 1954: "Fine Love" / "Speedy Life" (Cat 102)

Sylvia Robbins

• 1960: "Frankie and Johnny" / "Come Home" (Jubilee 5386)
• 1964: "Don't Let Your Eyes Get Bigger Than Your Heart" / "From The Beginning" (Sue 805)
• 1964: "Our Love" / "I Can't Tell You" (Sue 106)

Sylvia

• 1968: "I Can't Help It" / "It's A Good Life" (All Platinum 2303)

Charted singles

See also

In Spanish: Sylvia Robinson para niños