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Sylvia Robinson dies at 76; produced first hip-hop hit
Associated Press September 30, 2011
The woman some call the mother of hip-hop has died.
Sylvia Robinson, who had a hit as a singer-songwriter with the sexually charged "Pillow Talk" but was later known as one of hip-hop's early founders for releasing "Rapper's Delight," rap's first mainstream success, died Thursday, according to publicist Greg Walker. She was 76.
Robinson, born Sylvia Vanterpool, died of congestive heart failure at the New Jersey Institute of Neuroscience in Secaucus.
Along with her late husband, Joe, Robinson was the owner of Sugar Hill Records. In 1979, the label released the song that would become widely known as rap's first hit, "Rapper's Delight," by the Sugar Hill Gang.
The song was released as hip-hop was beginning to emerge as a genre; for the most part, it was a budding phenomenon bubbling on New York City streets. Robinson recognized the potential of the music and wanted her struggling label to capitalize on it.
"She saw where a DJ was talking and the crowd was responding to what he was saying, and this was the first time she ever saw this before," her son Joey said in a 2000 interview with NPR. "And she said, 'Joey, wouldn't this be a great idea to make a rap record?'"
It turned out she was right. After gathering three rappers — Master Gee, Wonder Mike and Big Bank Hank — to record the 15-minute song, the party groove became a sensation. The condensed version was considered the first rap song to get radio play and reached the top 40 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.
The Sugar Hill Gang faded into rap history, with no other songs that possessed the flourish of its original hit. But Sugar Hill Records would continue to play a part in the early years of hip-hop with a roster that included Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five.
Robinson's roots in the record industry were deep. She was a blues singer in the 1950s, recording for Columbia and Savoy Records on songs like "Chocolate Candy Blues." Later, she was part of the duo Mickey & Sylvia.
But she had perhaps her biggest hit as a solo artist with "Pillow Talk," a seductive song released in 1973. Robinson was also a producer and songwriter for others.
She is survived by three sons and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Sylvia Robinson, who had a hit as a singer-songwriter with the sexually charged "Pillow Talk" but was later known as one of hip-hop's early founders for releasing "Rapper's Delight," rap's first mainstream success, died Thursday, according to publicist Greg Walker. She was 76.
Robinson, born Sylvia Vanterpool, died of congestive heart failure at the New Jersey Institute of Neuroscience in Secaucus.
Along with her late husband, Joe, Robinson was the owner of Sugar Hill Records. In 1979, the label released the song that would become widely known as rap's first hit, "Rapper's Delight," by the Sugar Hill Gang.
The song was released as hip-hop was beginning to emerge as a genre; for the most part, it was a budding phenomenon bubbling on New York City streets. Robinson recognized the potential of the music and wanted her struggling label to capitalize on it.
"She saw where a DJ was talking and the crowd was responding to what he was saying, and this was the first time she ever saw this before," her son Joey said in a 2000 interview with NPR. "And she said, 'Joey, wouldn't this be a great idea to make a rap record?'"
It turned out she was right. After gathering three rappers — Master Gee, Wonder Mike and Big Bank Hank — to record the 15-minute song, the party groove became a sensation. The condensed version was considered the first rap song to get radio play and reached the top 40 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.
The Sugar Hill Gang faded into rap history, with no other songs that possessed the flourish of its original hit. But Sugar Hill Records would continue to play a part in the early years of hip-hop with a roster that included Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five.
Robinson's roots in the record industry were deep. She was a blues singer in the 1950s, recording for Columbia and Savoy Records on songs like "Chocolate Candy Blues." Later, she was part of the duo Mickey & Sylvia.
But she had perhaps her biggest hit as a solo artist with "Pillow Talk," a seductive song released in 1973. Robinson was also a producer and songwriter for others.
She is survived by three sons and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Artist Interview
This young rapper from ATL is making moves so Tricksta went to find out more… When did you start making music and realise that you wanted to be a rapper?
I started recording in 2007 but I started making & producing my own beats back in Sept. 2009 and knew I wanted to become a hip-hop artist when I was in the 7th grade.
Was there a person or record that inspired you to pick up the pen and start writing songs and hit the studio?
Lupe Fiasco has been my inspiration to write lyrics when I was younger, I followed him since his debut and I'm looking forward for the upcoming album.
So how did you get your name? What’s the story behind it?
My original name was K-9 when I was younger, I used to think it was so cool but as I got older I realized that 'K9' wasn't going to suit me. I was fond of the name Prodigy, but knew I couldn't claim it because of the infamous rapper prodigy, so I just added the 'young' to the beginning of my name and spelled prodigy a certain way to Prod'G.
Where exactly are you from and what’s the Hip-Hop scene like there?
I was born in Seattle, WA but I’m from Atlanta, since I've been raised there since I was 2 and as many are aware, that hip-hop is the trademark here in the south. Many individuals are trying really hard to make it in the hip-hop scene.
What projects have you released so far and what feedback from the media have you had?
I haven’t had an official release yet. I’m still in the process of finishing my first project but, I’ve still been able to create some interest in my music by the tracks that I’ve pre-released over the internet. I’ve been getting a lot of love from folks and I’ve had a cover story done on me by OVERVIEW magazine, out of New Orleans.
Let’s talk about your latest project. Where can people get it, who features on it and who dealt with the production?
Well, like I mentioned before, I’m still completing it but when I finish, you will definitely be the first to know how to get it. As far as production goes, I’m doing most of it. No features yet though.
How are you getting your project out there? Do you have a distributor involved?
I don’t have a distributor yet, my mom is in the industry and she’s managing all of that right now.
Is there a shop or website stocking and supporting your music?
I plan to put the music in a couple of stores here & in Seattle where my mom’s contacts are and also move units through my mom’s entertainment company site Divadom Entertainment Group. Also, ITunes.
Getting radio play is real gripe for a lot of Hip-Hop artists, but have you had any radio play? If so what DJ’s and stations are supporting you?
I don’t think I will have trouble getting radio play because, I already have some stations here and overseas who are anxious to get my music and I can’t wait to give them my music. I’m excited to see what’s going to happen.
Do you think that radio is still as important as it was in the digital age?
Yes, because people still like to ride and listen to good music on their radios. Even though my mom’s in the business she is still old school and she plays the radio in her car more than her CD’s. So I know there are plenty of people out there who still want to hear some quality Hip-Hop on the radio.
Dance/Electro/Club styled Hip-Hop seems to be the only Hip-Hop getting airplay on radio and TV. Do you think that to survive you have to change your music to fit in or do you think it’s more a case of moving with the times?
Yes and then no, it's really kind of subjective because in reality nobody wants to hear about a revolution but I feel that you can be fake in this industry so you can stay on the market, like a few rappers that I feel have changed their style of hip hop and now I don't listen to their music anymore, because it's crazy how they switch up desperately to be amused by everybody than to be real about their words.
Do you think the internet helps or hinders independent artists?
It goes both ways, again lets look at reality the cyberspace can throw down anything about anybody and people will feed into it. It can be the most productive thing and also be the most destructive thing.
When it comes to making music what would you credit as your main motivation?
Well really anything that I hear on the radio that’s really hot to me, so I what I would do is try to attempt to imitate it and then flip it to make it better, Or create whatever is playing in my head.
Let’s talk image and branding for a minute. Some artists spend lots of money on artwork and other acts aren’t that interested. How important is image, artwork and branding to you?
Image is important to me and I love looking at cool artwork but buying unnecessary jewelry to being over the top is kind of ridiculous to me. To most of my songs you would barely he me say anything about what type of jewelry I would have on because more than likely I would be lying to you. But you have dress to impress. I think that any artist coming into the game these days needs a music video.
I mean You Tube is one the most visited website in the world and it’s still a great way of promoting a track. Have you got any videos on there and have any of them actually got played on any TV Stations?
My first video will be out around May.
What was the last album you brought and where do you buy your music?
Is there a good record shop in your area or do you buy on-line? Well, one of the last CD’s I got was Eric Roberson “Music Fan First”. I really like his music and I got it from a local store called Moods Music here in Atlanta but, I buy music online too.
Contact: http://www.myspace.com/k9wade and k9wade@yahoo.com
Interviewby Tricksta March 2010
Originally For Rago Magazine
http://www.ragomagazine.com/interviews/khiry-from-atlanta-usa.html
www.myspace.com/trickstawolftown
I started recording in 2007 but I started making & producing my own beats back in Sept. 2009 and knew I wanted to become a hip-hop artist when I was in the 7th grade.
Was there a person or record that inspired you to pick up the pen and start writing songs and hit the studio?
Lupe Fiasco has been my inspiration to write lyrics when I was younger, I followed him since his debut and I'm looking forward for the upcoming album.
So how did you get your name? What’s the story behind it?
My original name was K-9 when I was younger, I used to think it was so cool but as I got older I realized that 'K9' wasn't going to suit me. I was fond of the name Prodigy, but knew I couldn't claim it because of the infamous rapper prodigy, so I just added the 'young' to the beginning of my name and spelled prodigy a certain way to Prod'G.
Where exactly are you from and what’s the Hip-Hop scene like there?
I was born in Seattle, WA but I’m from Atlanta, since I've been raised there since I was 2 and as many are aware, that hip-hop is the trademark here in the south. Many individuals are trying really hard to make it in the hip-hop scene.
What projects have you released so far and what feedback from the media have you had?
I haven’t had an official release yet. I’m still in the process of finishing my first project but, I’ve still been able to create some interest in my music by the tracks that I’ve pre-released over the internet. I’ve been getting a lot of love from folks and I’ve had a cover story done on me by OVERVIEW magazine, out of New Orleans.
Let’s talk about your latest project. Where can people get it, who features on it and who dealt with the production?
Well, like I mentioned before, I’m still completing it but when I finish, you will definitely be the first to know how to get it. As far as production goes, I’m doing most of it. No features yet though.
How are you getting your project out there? Do you have a distributor involved?
I don’t have a distributor yet, my mom is in the industry and she’s managing all of that right now.
Is there a shop or website stocking and supporting your music?
I plan to put the music in a couple of stores here & in Seattle where my mom’s contacts are and also move units through my mom’s entertainment company site Divadom Entertainment Group. Also, ITunes.
Getting radio play is real gripe for a lot of Hip-Hop artists, but have you had any radio play? If so what DJ’s and stations are supporting you?
I don’t think I will have trouble getting radio play because, I already have some stations here and overseas who are anxious to get my music and I can’t wait to give them my music. I’m excited to see what’s going to happen.
Do you think that radio is still as important as it was in the digital age?
Yes, because people still like to ride and listen to good music on their radios. Even though my mom’s in the business she is still old school and she plays the radio in her car more than her CD’s. So I know there are plenty of people out there who still want to hear some quality Hip-Hop on the radio.
Dance/Electro/Club styled Hip-Hop seems to be the only Hip-Hop getting airplay on radio and TV. Do you think that to survive you have to change your music to fit in or do you think it’s more a case of moving with the times?
Yes and then no, it's really kind of subjective because in reality nobody wants to hear about a revolution but I feel that you can be fake in this industry so you can stay on the market, like a few rappers that I feel have changed their style of hip hop and now I don't listen to their music anymore, because it's crazy how they switch up desperately to be amused by everybody than to be real about their words.
Do you think the internet helps or hinders independent artists?
It goes both ways, again lets look at reality the cyberspace can throw down anything about anybody and people will feed into it. It can be the most productive thing and also be the most destructive thing.
When it comes to making music what would you credit as your main motivation?
Well really anything that I hear on the radio that’s really hot to me, so I what I would do is try to attempt to imitate it and then flip it to make it better, Or create whatever is playing in my head.
Let’s talk image and branding for a minute. Some artists spend lots of money on artwork and other acts aren’t that interested. How important is image, artwork and branding to you?
Image is important to me and I love looking at cool artwork but buying unnecessary jewelry to being over the top is kind of ridiculous to me. To most of my songs you would barely he me say anything about what type of jewelry I would have on because more than likely I would be lying to you. But you have dress to impress. I think that any artist coming into the game these days needs a music video.
I mean You Tube is one the most visited website in the world and it’s still a great way of promoting a track. Have you got any videos on there and have any of them actually got played on any TV Stations?
My first video will be out around May.
What was the last album you brought and where do you buy your music?
Is there a good record shop in your area or do you buy on-line? Well, one of the last CD’s I got was Eric Roberson “Music Fan First”. I really like his music and I got it from a local store called Moods Music here in Atlanta but, I buy music online too.
Contact: http://www.myspace.com/k9wade and k9wade@yahoo.com
Interviewby Tricksta March 2010
Originally For Rago Magazine
http://www.ragomagazine.com/interviews/khiry-from-atlanta-usa.html
www.myspace.com/trickstawolftown
