American; founded by Joe and Sylvia Robinson (owners of All Platinum records), and named after a 'nice' part of Harlem. Sugar Hill only just qualifies for inclusion in a list of British '70s labels; its first 7" (1) came out over here in November 1979, and its glory years were in the early 1980s. It played a crucial part in the development of Hip Hop, with the Sugar Hill Gang's 15 minute 12" single 'Rapper's Delight' being a landmark of the genre. An ill-fated alliance with MCA in the mid-'80s ended in a lawsuit and precipitated the label's demise. Marketing and distribution over here were by Pye / PRT.
Copyright 2006 Robert Lyons.