Sylvia Robinson 1936-2011

Award Winning Singer, Songwriter, and Record Label Executive, Sylvia Robinson, born Sylvia Vanterpool, passed away September 29th at the New Jersey Institute of Neuroscience of Congestive Heart Failure.

Robinson was a Singer/Songwriter most known for her smash single, "Pillow Talk". Discovered by a talent for Columbia Records, she recorded blues with trumpeter Hot Lips Page, accompanied by the Nelson Clark Orchestra. In 1950, she sang on releases via Columbia Records such as "Chocolate Candy Blues", "Pacifying Blues" and "I Was Under the Impression (That You Loved Me)" b/w Sharp Little Sister). Later she recorded as Little Sylvia for Savoy during 1951 and 1953 with the Heywood Henderson Orchestra and Buddy Lucas.

As a part of the dynamic duo, "MICKEY & SYLVIA" Mrs. Robinson released albums such as Mickey & Sylvia (Vik Records 1957), New Sounds (repackaged) (Vik Records 1957), Love Is Strange (Camden Records 1957), Do It Again (RCA Records 1973), The Willow Sessions (Sequel Records 1996), Love Is Strange: A Golden Classics Edition (Collectables 1997), Love Is Strange (Bear Family-Rollercoaster 2010)

This single was certified GOLD in 1973 and it eventually went on to sell well over two million copies. As the Producer of several hits such as "Shame Shame Shame" performed by noted Artist, Shirley Goodman & Company, she is additionally credited for the production of the hit record, "Love On A Two Way Street" for the Moments in 1970 and "Special Lady" performed by Ray Goodman & Brown.

As a Business Woman, Mrs. Robinson and her deceased Husband Joe Robinson were also the Founders of Hip Hop. In 1974, Sylvia concentrated on running her own Sugar Hill Records label, which became instrumental in the emergence of Rap Music as a format.As the Creator's of Sugar Hill Records, the Robinson's introduced Hip Hop to the mainstream market with the release of "Rapper's Delight" performed by the Sugar Hill Gang in 1979. Joey Robinson, her oldest son, was also a member of the group. With the birth of commercialized Rap, Mrs. Robinson then became the "go to" person for Hip Hop acts such as Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five.

Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind", Alicia Keyes' "New York", P-Diddy's "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down"; Ice Cube's "Check Yourself" are just a few of the sampled songs of Robinson's. Master P; Gloria Estefan; Kid Rock; Kanye' West; and even the late Amy Winehouse have all used samples of Robinson's music in their current hits.

"Mrs. Robinson will definitely be missed by me and my family. I had the pleasure of growing up musically with the Robinson Family and they have always been supportive of my career", says Platinum Def Jam Recording Artist, Juelz Santana.

R&B Singer, Angie Stone whose 1999 debut album Black Diamond includes "No More Rain (In This Cloud)", is just one example of homage being paid to Mrs. Robinson who was also once a member of the Sequence who hit with "Funk You Up" a 1980 remake of Parliament's gold 1976 hit "Tear the Roof Off the Sucker".

The Sequence was part of the Sugar hill roster, along with the likes of The Sugar Hill Gang, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, Funky Four Plus One, Crash Crew, Treacherous Three, Spooned Gee, Melle Mel, Busy Bee and The West Street Mob, along with the Soul performers, Harry Ray, Phillippe Wynne, The Moments, Mass Production, Positive Force along with Sylvia herself ('It's Good To Be Queen').