Robinson, Sylvia

1935-2011 · Contribution: 1979

Record Producer & Label Founder

Produced "Rapper's Delight" (1979), the first commercially successful rap single -- the first to reach the Billboard Hot 100 and to sell a million copies -- and "The Message" (1982); founded Sugar Hill Records and is known as the "Mother of Hip-Hop"

Arts, Music & Entertainment Tech — collage image
Arts, Music & Entertainment Tech

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Quick facts

Born
1935
Active since
1968
Category
Arts, Music & Entertainment Tech
Best known for
Produced "Rapper's Delight"Founded Sugar Hill Records"Mother of hip-hop"

Impact on the world

Robinson recognized rap's commercial potential before anyone else and pressed the record that took hip-hop from Bronx parties to the pop charts. She built the industry's first hit-making rap label.

Sources

  1. BIN (Celebrating Black Music Month: 17 Black Producers)

2 more sources and references are available to members.