Joey Robinson, Jr., the man that headed up the famed Sugar Hill Records legacy, has died.
According to sources, Robinson died from complications with and undisclosed form of cancer and had been sick for a prolonged period of time.
He had gotten out of the hospital on Friday and died yesterday.
Lady Luck, a cousin, expressed her sorrow on social media. She wrote, “Sometimes Life sucks ?. #SiP Cuzo. Luv u. #SugarHillGang #joeyrobinsonjr #joeyrobinson #TiredOfFunerals.”
The history of Sugar Hill Records is a storied one. The iconic label pumped Hip-Hop to the masses through the Sugar Hill Gang in 1979, who crafted the hit “Rapper’s Delight.” The song was an instant classic. Other acts would go on to sign to Sugar Hill as well, including Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five, Sequence (which included singer Angie B), Funky Four Plus One, Crash Crew, Treacherous Three, and others.
Joey, Jr. and his siblings took over after their mother and label co-founder passed away.
Joey Robinson, Jr. was not without controversy.
Wonder Mike and Master Gee, two of the original members of The Sugar Hill Gang, have waged a fierce legal war against Robinson, Jr. Ultimately, they lost a legal battle in which they wanted the right to perform under the “Sugar Hill Gang” moniker. In recent years, they performed as Original Sugar, Rapper’s Delight Featuring Wonder Mike and Master Gee and other incarnations. Robinson, Big Bank Hank, another original member, would tour as the original Sugar Hill Gang. “I Want My Name Back” was the 2001 documentary the chronicled this battle over the Sugar Hill Gang name. Big Bank Hank died in November of 2014.
