Sylvia Robinson

Sylvia Vanderpool-Robinson (March 6, 1936 – September 29, 2011) was an American singer, musician, record producer, and record label executive. She was best known for her work as founder/CEO of the hip hop label Sugar Hill Records. She is credited as the driving force behind two landmark singles in the genre; "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang, and "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

Biography

She was born as Sylvia Vanderpool (aka Vanterpool) in 1936 in New York City. She attended Washington Irving High School until she was 14, and began recording music in 1950 for Columbia Records under the billing, Little Sylvia.

In 1954, she began teaming up with Kentucky guitarist Mickey Baker, who then taught her how to play guitar. In 1956, the duo now known as Mickey & Sylvia, recorded the Bo Diddley and Jody Williams-penned rock single, "Love Is Strange," which topped the R&B charts and reached number eleven on the Billboard pop charts in early 1957. After several more releases including the modestly successful "There Oughta Be a Law", Mickey & Sylvia split up in 1959 with Sylvia later marrying Joe Robinson that same year. Sylvia restarted her solo career shortly after her initial split from Baker, first under the name Sylvia Robbins. In 1961, the duo reunited and recorded more songs together for various labels. They are most noted during this period for singing background on Ike & Tina Turner's hit single, "It's Gonna Work Out Fine". In 1964, frustrated with the music business, Baker moved to Paris.

Sylvia (given name)

Sylvia is feminine given name of Latin origin, also spelled Silvia. The French form is Sylvie.

Namesakes

Sylvia, Kansas

Sylvia is a city in Reno County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 218.

History

Sylvia was originally called Zenith, and under the latter name was founded in 1874. It was renamed Sylvia in 1886. Sylvia may have been named for the wife and daughter of a railroad employee.

Geography

Sylvia is located at 37°57′28″N 98°24′32″W / 37.95778°N 98.40889°W / 37.95778; -98.40889 (37.957673, -98.408878). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.29 square miles (0.75 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 218 people, 97 households, and 58 families residing in the city. The population density was 751.7 inhabitants per square mile (290.2/km²). There were 142 housing units at an average density of 489.7 per square mile (189.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.4% White, 0.5% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.0% of the population.