NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Early hip-hop pioneer Robinson dies

NEW YORK

The woman some call the mother of hip-hop has died.

Sylvia Robinson, who had a hit as a singer-songwriter with the sexually charged “Pillow Talk” but was later known as one of hip-hop’s early founders as the record label owner that put out “Rapper’s Delight,” rap’s first mainstream success, died Thursday, according to publicist Greg Walker. She was 76.

Robinson, born Sylvia Vanterpool, died of congestive heart failure at the New Jersey Institute of Neuroscience in Seacaucus, N.J.

Along with her late husband, Joe, Robinson was the owner of Sugar Hill Records. In 1979, it released the song that would become widely known as rap’s first hit, “Rapper’s Delight,” by the Sugar Hill Gang.

Man accused of stalking Shania Twain says he’ll plead guilty

TORONTO

A man accused of stalking Shania Twain interrupted testimony in his trial Thursday and declared in an outburst that he would plead guilty.

Giovanni Palumbo is charged with three counts of failure to comply with a court order and criminal harassment by watching and besetting.

The Canadian country singer testified via a video link Thursday that the former Ottawa doctor’s lovelorn letters and unexpected visits at her family cottage made her feel uncomfortable.

She said she had to hire security for a family gathering at her Ontario cottage because Palumbo was seen repeatedly parked in his Lamborghini down the road.

Associated Press