Robin S, born and raised in Queens, New York, began singing at the age of five in a church choir. Blessed with perfect pitch and a genuine talent to entertain, she took up vocal training at the age of eight under the direction of the legendary Brook Alexander. Alexander, who also instructed Melba Moore, made learning easy. His style taught me how to create different sounds by using my facial expressions and tones. It enabled me to obtain the skills to become a performer.
At the age of fifteen, Robin went to join both jazz and cover bands in the New York metropolitan area, performing at dinner clubs, lounges, and other venues. During her tenure as a member of the band Top Shelf, she met the owners of Homeboy Recording Studios. They immediately realized that they found the perfect accent to their music and began laying demo tracks for Robin’s vocals.
“Show Me Love”, Robin’s first gold single, introduced her as one of the premier vocalists of early 1990. Her first release was in 1990 under Robin Stone (that’s what the “S” stands for). The chart-topping single, punctuated with energetic remixes from Stonebridge Productions of Sweden, originally gained popularity in Europe on Champion Records only in 1993. The success of the record caught the eyes of executives at Big Beat Records and Robin S was on her way to fulfilling her dreams.
Robin’s debut album on Big Beat/Atlantic Records, “Show Me Love” immediately broadened her fan base. The diverse sounds of the record, which change between beautiful lush ballads like “What I Do Best”, Who’s Goina’ Raise The Child”, and bold toe-tapping rhythms, were created by a variety of producers, including Junior Vasquez, Nick Martinelli, and David Morales.
“Love For Love”, another chart-topping track from Robin’s debut is a fiercely hypnotic track filled with syncopated beats, added her to the elite list of dance divas. I don’t mind being called a diva one bit. “There are some great divas in the world like Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Phyllis Hyman, and Nancy Wilson”. “If I am going to be considered a diva like they are, then I welcome the title,” says Robin!
And Robin’s efforts paid off. In 1993, Robin was named BEST DANCE ARTIST at the Billboard Awards, and Show Me Love received 2 awards for BEST DANCE SINGLE and BEST DANCE ARTIST. Robin also earned 2 awards at the industry Annual Winter Dance Music Conference for BEST DANCE ARTIST SOLO and BEST NEW DANCE SINGLE.
Robin’s live performances on the stages of New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, just to name a few, and abroad continues to work its magic and show off Robin’s diversity. She finds no trouble engaging her audience. “When I do a show, I want people to feel as if they are an intricate part of my performances.” I often bring individuals on stage to dance with me and “I don’t choose the ones who are already clapping and mouthing the lyrics, they are already happy and convinced! I pick the people who are silent, ones that are expressionless, they are the people I’m trying to reach.”
Robin’s performances have been seen by fans all over the world, having performed in Holland, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, The Ivory Coast, Finland, Amsterdam, Portugal, France, Japan, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, and the list goes on. In addition to her many club shows in the United States, Robin has also appeared on numerous television programs such as Showtime at the Apollo, “Coming Home”, a Thanksgiving Special Hosted by Nancy Wilson, The Robert Townsend Show, Americas Most Funniest Home Videos, The Maury Povich Show, The Jenny Jones Show, The Ricki Lake Show, The Arsenio Hall Show (singing with the band on 2 occasions). The Disney Channel, VH1’s White Nights AIDS Special, MTV U.S. and Canada, MTV’s Lip Service, BET (singing and an interview with Donnie Simpson), and many others. Her soundtrack contributions such as “SPACE JAMS”,(she wrote and sang the song “Givin you all that I’ve got”), “BAPS” (she co-wrote and sang “I can’t wait” with Michael O’Hara, and “Love is shining down on me” with Tony Moran and Nikki Richards), “DR. DOLITTLE”, (she sang the song “Dance” feat. Mary Mary written and produced by Warryn Campbell and Mary Mary), “KNOCK OUT” (she sang and co-wrote with Michael O’Hara the song “At My Best”), “WELCOME TO WHOOP WHOOP” (she sang “Once in a Lifetime Love” produced by David Morales)
In the years since turning worldwide dance floors and pop radio airwaves upside down with the massive smash “Show Me Love,” Robin has traveled an enlightening journey toward heightened self-awareness and creative maturity. After working on her songwriting for several years, she began recruiting a sterling array of producers and tunesmiths that includes Bryce Wilson, Tony Moran, Wayne Cohen, Shepard Solomon, King Britt, John Wicks, Eric “E-Smoove” Miller, Darrin Whittington, and Steve Dubin who guided Robin on her hotly anticipated second album, From Now On (Big Beat/Atlantic, 1997).
“I feel as if I’m soaring on these songs,” the singer says with pride. She is inspired to take flight by a deftly mined musical environment that transcends the traditional boundaries of dance music. “From Now On”, succeeds in delivering the credible grooves of underground club culture, while also showcasing fine live musicians, who bring soulful warmth to every one of the album’s songs. “There is no match for the experience of singing with a band. It’s nourishment to the soul for every singer.” After all, you can’t feel the funk with a computer-generated guitar.”
It was venerable songwriter Michael O’Hara — acclaimed for his highly successful collaborations with Anita Baker, among others — who first helped Robin find the confidence to begin sharing her insightful words and infectious melodies. “He was the first writer to take me seriously,” she says. “He took me under his wing and shared his magic with me.” The two crafted “Shine On Me,” a storming house music anthem that is the centerpiece composition of the album. “That was the first song I recorded for the new album and it was about as painful as giving birth because it was mine” but it has been just as joyous Robin says with a laugh.” Michael and I have written so many songs together since then. He brings out the best in me.” As her second song “AT My Best” to shape and form. “This song was my letter to GOD”. If you listened very closely to the lyrics, you’ll hear her story.
The world’s first taste of From Now On was via the premiere single, a sassy rendition of Al-ton McClain & Destiny’s famed 1980 chestnut “It Must Be Love.” The track was produced by Groove Theory’s Bryce Wilson, who earned platinum marks at the helm of the Toni Braxton smash “Your Love Is Making Me High.” Robin brilliantly approaches “It Must Be Love,” which places her in an arrangement featuring a tight funk groove and an elaborate orchestra. “This song is beautiful in that it captures the spirit of an era that I love. I gave myself to that energy and that allowed me to really dig into the song, have a lot of fun with it, and made it my own” the singer says.
After her second album, a single, entitled “Midnight” was released on a 12″. There were so many songs that the world has never reviewed like her remakes of “You know how to love me” and “All I do”. However, her success is still amazing, as she in 2004 made her European Tour, soon after the re-release of her first album, and also took part on the play When a Man Cries, by JD Lawrence. Now Robin S has been performing in many Shows and 90s Parties worldwide. Robin can be best quoted saying “I’ve grown so much, emotionally and spiritually and I am very clear on my vision. Wisdom and maturity are my experiences so the BEST IS YET TO COME”!
“I’ve not had a Label home in years, so I took that disadvantage and turned it into MY ADVANTAGE”! “Like most artists, I completed a studio at home so that I could do my own thing whenever I wanted and I am currently starting my own label. Now, looking toward the future is really important to the Atlanta-based singer these days, cause she’s got a lot of irons in the fire! When Robin S. is not touring within the States and abroad, with the New Release of “Show Me Love 2009”, she is found in her studio producing a Gospel album for her new artist or writing songs to tracks from the likes of known DJ’s Alfred Azzetto (Near the Ocean), Addict DJ’s (Be Thankful), Soundshapers (Music Makes The World Connect), or collaborating with other know artists like “Janice Robinson”, “Thea Austin” and “Inaya Day” or simply redoing her own tracks with the assistance of a young aspiring producer by the name of “Da Chase”. “At My Best with Corey Gibbons Feat. CTK is one of her latest releases. Again Robin S. States “This Song clearly describes the thoughts of most artists”. “We are human beings first, when the lights are off and the stage is down, we have our own personal lives”. “ It’s important that I stay grounded with all things”.
Although it may seem to some that she is a one-hit wonder, or totally out of the scene, her response to that is “ I am like a stealth jet flying under the radar, you never know which way I am coming from or what I’m doing”. “But be sure of this, I am doing some really good things”! Currently, I have a weekly radio spot with “Gods DJ Pat Allen” out of California.
As well as working on her new project and writing her Poetry Book, Robin S. has a desire to act. “The skill is there and I certainly have the will”. I know that day will come, and when it does I will once again say “Thank you GOD, and give it all that I’ve got”!
