Smokey Robinson

Smokey Robinson Net Worth 2024: What Is The Legendary Motown Singer Worth?

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Smokey Robinson is the legendary American singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. He has an estimated net worth of $150 million as of 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Born William Robinson Jr. on February 19, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, Robinson became one of the most beloved and influential figures in the history of Motown music. His journey from forming The Miracles, one of the first groups to sign with Motown Records, to becoming the Vice President of the company outlines a career not only marked by personal artistic success but also by his pivotal role in shaping the sound and success of Motown itself.

The Motown Phenomenon: Smokey’s Rise To Fame

smokey robinson
Smokey Robinson with Egyptian style art (Photo by Aaron Rapoport/Corbis via Getty Images)

Smokey Robinson’s ascent to musical royalty began in the late 1950s when he formed The Miracles. With hits like “Shop Around,” “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” and “The Tracks of My Tears,” Robinson and The Miracles laid the groundwork for what would become the Motown sound. It was a blend of soul, pop, and R&B that would captivate audiences worldwide. As a songwriter and producer, Robinson’s genius lay in his lyrical eloquence and innovative music production. He crafted songs for his group and other Motown artists, influencing American music’s direction during the 1960s and beyond.

Songwriting Genius & Solo Success

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 05: Smokey Robinson, Chris Brown and Lionel Ritchie prior to performance together on. Grammy Awards Show, February 5, 2007 also in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Getty Images/Bob Riha, Jr.)

Beyond his achievements with The Miracles, Smokey Robinson’s solo career has been marked by critical and commercial success. Songs like “Cruisin’,” “Being with You,” and “Just to See Her” showcased his ability to evolve with the times. It further proved his versatility as an artist. Peers and the industry alike have recognized his songwriting. Robinson penned hits for other artists, including “My Girl” for The Temptations and “Ain’t That Peculiar” for Marvin Gaye. This talent has earned him a place in the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing his status as a musical icon.

Legacy & Influence: Beyond The Music

smokey robinson
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 11: Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson attend. Ryan Gordy Foundation Celebrates 60 Years Of Mowtown at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills on November 11, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/WireImage)

Smokey Robinson’s influence extends beyond his melodies and lyrics. His contributions to the music industry and his role as a Motown executive have left an indelible mark on the landscape of American music. His work in developing new talent and his dedication to the success of Motown Records have been instrumental in the careers of countless artists. Further, Robinson’s philanthropic efforts and his advocacy for artists’ rights speak to his commitment to the community that nurtured his own career. Despite facing personal challenges, including battles with addiction, Robinson’s resilience and dedication to his craft have inspired many.

Smokey Robinson’s contributions as a singer, songwriter, and executive have shaped the course of Motown. It has also enriched the United States’ cultural heritage. As he continues to perform and inspire new generations, Smokey Robinson remains a towering figure in the world of music, embodying the soul and spirit of Motown.

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Smokey Robinson, While Spilling About Past And Present ‘Gasms,’ Revealed His Affair With Diana Ross

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smokey robinson diana ross
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Smokey Robinson, as part of the promotional circuit for his new album, Gasms, is now spilling on a past affair he had with Diana Ross decades ago. It went on for “about a year,” according to his new interview with The Guardian, while Robinson was married to Claudette Rogers.

“I was married at the time. We were working together and it just happened,” he said. “But it was beautiful. She’s a beautiful lady, and I love her right till today. She’s one of my closest people. She was young and trying to get her career together. I was trying to help her. I brought her to Motown, in fact. I wasn’t going after her and she wasn’t going after me. It just happened.”

“After we’d been seeing each other for a while, Diana said to me she couldn’t do that because she knew Claudette, and she knew I still loved my wife. And I did. I loved my wife very much,” Robinson added. “You asked me what happened when we get older, and we get wisdom in life. I learned that we are capable of loving more than one person at the same time.”

While Robinson and Rogers ultimately separated, with the singer getting remarried in 2002, fans are still shocked by his reveal — and why it happened now.

“Smokey Robinson is 83 & felt the need to let us know he slept with Diana Ross. That probably was like in the 70’s,” one user wrote, complete with the crying emoji.

Scroll for some more reactions to the Smokey Robinson and Diana Ross affair reveal.

Smokey Robinson Says Dr. Dre Connected Him With Anderson .Paak

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Smokey Robinson is one of the most renowned pioneers of R&B. The Motown legend, now 83 years old, continues to shine his light on the genre. This was most evident at the Grammys on Feb. 5. Here, he joined his pal Stevie Wonder on stage for a titillating performance of hits like “The Tears of a Clown,” which Wonder co-wrote with Smokey. Aside from playing his own bops, though, Robinson has made efforts to connect with the newer generation.

Anderson .Paak has been reigning as one of R&B’s and hip-hop’s best acts to offer since the early 2010s. Solo albums like Oxnard, Ventura and Malibu have captivated modern fans of these genres, as well as seasoned vets. These vets include guys like Dr. Dre, whose Aftermath Records signed .Paak while he was on his ascent. Dre has also collaborated with .Paak on a handful of occasions, most notably for songs like the recently-released “ETA,” “Deep Water” and “Mansa Musa.” Along with joint records of their own, though, Dre has helped .Paak get in touch with other legends. This includes the aforementioned Smokey Robinson.

Smokey Speaks On Paak Collab

Smokey Robinson performs onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

In April 2019, Anderson .Paak released his fourth official studio album Ventura. The album includes features from icons like Andre 3000, Nate Dogg, Brandy, Jazmine Sullivan and, of course, Smokey Robinson. Paak and Smokey’s song “Make It Better” earned huge streaming numbers, and is one of the most celebrated track Anderson has ever released. The song was also accompanied by a thrilling music video. This was all thanks to Dr. Dre, who set up these two R&B talents. In a new interview with VladTV, Robinson goes into more more detail about this encounter, and how he enjoyed working with Paak.

“It was fun. Actually, (Dr.) Dre called me and he said, ‘Man I got a young artist that I want you to come and write a song with.’ And Dre’s my friend, my brother, so I went and I met Anderson and he had started that song. He gave it to me and I took it home and finished it up and we recorded it. It was fun working with him,” Robinson said. Throughout the rest of the interview, Smokey also discussed why he does not want to quit touring in his old age. Robinson still loves interacting with fans of his, and surely Paak was one of his most passionate followers. It’s no wonder why he had Dre recruit Smokey for his song so he could “Make It Better.”

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Stevie Wonder Led A Rollicking Motown Tribute Alongside Chris Stapleton And Smokey Robinson At The 2023 Grammys

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Stevie Wonder 2023 Grammys
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Aside from the handing out of awards, the other major reason to watch the Grammys is for the performances, as the Recording Academy routinely recruits the brightest stars in music to take the stage. They nailed it this year, with performers including Harry Styles, Bad Bunny, Mary J. Blige, Steve Lacy, Lizzo, Kim Petras, Sam Smith, Brandi Carlile, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Chris Stapleton, DJ Khaled, and Luke Combs. There’s also a terrific cross-generational performance that just went down: Stevie Wonder took the stage with a number of guests.

“Thank you, but stop,” Wonder said to start his time on stage as the audience applauded. He then introduced his band and kicked off with a rendition of The Temptations’ “The Way You Do The Things You Do.” Smokey Robinson then joined in for his own “Tears Of A Clown” before Chris Stapleton joined in on “Higher Ground.”

Neither Wonder nor Stapleton are nominated for any Grammys this year, but both artists certainly have a history with the show. Wonder is one of the most decorated winners in Grammy history, in fact: He’s been nominated an amazing 75 times and has won 25 of them, first in 1973 with “Superstition” and “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” winning awards in 1973, and most recently in 2006, when his and Tony Bennett’s “For Once In My Life” won the Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.

Stapleton, meanwhile, has a strong Grammys winning percentage, as he’s won eight of the 17 awards for which he’s been nominated. He won three awards last year, all for material from his 2020 album Starting Over.

Find the full list of this year’s Grammy nominees and winners here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.