'Mother of Hip-Hop' Dies

Story tools

Comments

A A AResize

Print

Share and Email

 

The Root, News Report, Jenée Desmond-Harris, Posted: Sep 30, 2011


Sylvia Vanterpool Robinson, known as the Mother of Hip-Hop, died today from congestive heart failure, a family spokesperson told S2S Magazine. She was 75 years old.

The founder and CEO of Sugar Hill Records, Robinson is widely recognized as one of the creators of hip-hop music as we know it. She played a major role in the production of Grand Master Flash & the Furious Five's The Message and, with the help of the Sugarhill Gang, turned Chic's sample of "Good Times" into “Rapper's Delight." It was the first hip-hop record to go mainstream.

Robinson, who was half of the duo Mickey & Sylvia, had a successful music career of her own. Her biggest solo hits include "Love Is Strange" and "Pillow Talk" -- the latter topped the R&B Billboard chart for two weeks in 1973.
 

Comments

 

Disclaimer: Comments do not necessarily reflect the views of New America Media. NAM reserves the right to edit or delete comments. Once published, comments are visible to search engines and will remain in their archives. If you do not want your identity connected to comments on this site, please refrain from commenting or use a handle or alias instead of your real name.