Sylvia Robinson

Sylvia Robinson, born on March 6, 1936, was a pioneering American record producer, artist, and executive, best known for her role in the creation of the hip-hop genre. As a member of the duo Mickey & Sylvia, she achieved success in the 1950s with the hit 'Love Is Strange.' However, her most significant contribution came in the late 1970s when she co-founded Sugar Hill Records and produced 'Rapper's Delight,' the first commercially successful hip-hop single, which introduced rap music to a broader audience. Robinson's influence in the music industry extended beyond her own recordings; she played a crucial role in nurturing and promoting numerous artists and shaping the early sounds of hip-hop.