Get Off the Couch With Sugar Hill Records & CEO Leland Robinson

Born to Joseph and Sylvia Robinson of Sugarhill Records, Leland Robinson, Sr. is the middle son to music moguls who made their mark as the founders of Hip-Hop. As the prince of Hip-Hop himself, Leland did not initially assume his position at the throne. One of the most important lessons Leland learned from his father was the power of music publishing, which is today one of the key components of Sugarhill's business. Leland is responsible for the royalties and music publishing whenever artists such as Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Wale and Justin Timberlake sample music from his family's catalogue. Leading the label has shaped Leland personally. “It made me a businessman,” he says. “It taught me how to deal with people and structure deals.” And through it all, his focus is clear: longevity. Not just for me, but for my family and the culture we helped build.