Joseph Robinson Jr. of Sugar Hill Records Passes Away

Joseph Robinson Jr., the youngest son of the founders of Sugar Hill Records, has passed away at age 53. Joseph, known to many as Joey, died on Saturday (July 11) from cancer, according to North Jersey. 

Joey was the son of Joseph and Sylvia Robinson, founder of hip-hop label Sugar Hill along with Milton Malden. Between the years 1979 and 1986, their imprint put out several songs that many artists would eventually sample. Their record, "Rapper's Delight" would go on to be a hit and added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2014. In 1985, Joseph Jr. became a member of the Sugarhill Gang. He would later play a major role in trying to keep the Sugar Hill legacy alive. Joey was executor of the Sugarhill Music Publishing estate and handled the royalties and music publishing when artists like Alicia Keys, Jay Z, Kanye West and Justin Timberlake would sample his family's music, according to a news release on his passing.

Robinson Jr. had been hospitalized at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck since May 17. He was released on Friday (July 10) according to his brother Leland. Joseph died at his home in Tenafly which he shared with his brother. "When my parents passed away, he became like a father figure," Leland said of his older brother. "He was good to everybody." Joseph Robinson Sr. died in 2000 and Sylvia Robinson died in 2011.When he was in the hospital, Leland says he had several visitors.

Many artists have made statements and shared their condolences via social media since news of Robinson Jr.'s passing broke. Just last year, Big Bank Hank, one of the founding members of the Sugar Hill Gang passed away. Our condolences go out to the Robinson family during their time of loss.