Sylvia Robinson has passed away at the age of 75. Sylvia Vanterpool Robinson, known as the Mother of Hip-Hop, died today at 6:28 a.m. EST from congestive heart failure. Sylvia who was born on March 6, 1936 was a singer, musician, music producer, and record label executive, most notably known for her work as founder/CEO of the seminal hip hop label Sugar Hill Records.
Q Tip was the first to tweet that the legendary record executive has died:
According to sister2sister magazine, Sylvia had been ill for approximately five months before passing this morning at Meadowlands Hospital in Secaucus, New Jersey, family spokesman Greg Walker told Sister 2 Sister.Along with producing “Rapper’s Delight,” Sylvia also produced “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five. She didn’t just work behind the scenes, though. Sylvia was half of the duo Mickey & Sylvia.
“Pillow Talk” and “Love is Strange” are two of Sylvia’s most popular songs.
Sylvia Robinson produced the very first successful rap record, “Rapper’s Delight”:
