This section is dedicated to the first label to actually release rap records. Sugar Hill records was started by Joe & Sylvia Robinson in 1979. Actually they had several labels before Sugarhill like Stang , All Platinum & Turbo. Those labels released r&b music by groups like The Moments (later Ray Good man & Brown) , The Whatnauts and Wood , Brass & Steel. Sugar Hill was an outlet to release rap , which Sylvia became aware of in the late 70s.

Since Rappers Delight was released in 1979 I have purchased just about every record that Sugarhill released. When I saw that blue jacket wit the candy letters , I dropped my 3.99 on the counter. Not every release was a rap record on Sugarhill. The Moments released records on that label as well as Positive Force , Brother To Brother , Craig Derry , Shonte , The Givens Family, Candy Staton , Philippe Wynne, Jack Mc Duff & Reggie Griffin. There were even bizzare acts like Wayne & Charlie (a ventriloquist) , The Chilly Kids & The New Guys On The Block.

As a youngster I always studied records , the record covers including the credits & the labels including writer and producer credits. I always thought even back then as a pre-teen that I would one day get to meet or talk to some of these great musicians , producers , rappers & singers in some capacity , and it has happened via the magic of the internet some nearly 30 years later! I always maintained that Sugarhill was the Motown of its time , and as I get the real scoop from the people who actually participated in the history, I am more convinced than ever. Sugarhil Records closed shop in 1985 , after selling millions of records, creating many stars , getting a distribution deal with MCA Records , scoring soundtracks and changing the face of music. Before videos , multimillion dollar budgets and the recognition of corporate America, Sylvia & Joe Robinson did the damn thing! Hopefully you will enjoy these stories as much as I did......