Dan Charnas Remembers Harlem’s Bobby Robinson, Founder of Enjoy Records and Bobby’s Happy House

Harlem’s Bobby Robinson, founder of one of the world’s first rap labels, Enjoy Records, helped launch the very beginning of the hip hop music “business.” He died on Friday, January 7, 2011, at 93, according to the NY Daily News.

I had only cursory knowledge of Mr. Robinson and his hip hop legacy, a knowledge that had been recently greatly increased during my reading of Dan Charnas’ book, The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop, in which the early days of the commercialization of rap is explained in often fascinating detail.

After hearing of Mr. Robinson’s death, I felt it worthy news to post to our audience, but hadn’t had the time to properly vet the various news reports to find one that was the best representation of his significance. However, today I came across Mr. Charnas’ own article over at NewsOne regarding Mr. Robinson. Since his story came to me largely through Mr. Charnas, it feels right to acknowledge Mr. Robinson’s passing by referencing Mr. Charnas’ post.

R.I.P. to a hip hop pioneer.

Read: Remebering Bobby Johnson by Dan Charnas, Managing Editor, NewsOne