When Smokey and Claudette Robinson named their daughter Tamla in 1971, they weren’t just choosing a pretty name. They were honouring Tamla Records, the label Berry Gordy founded in 1959 that launched the Motown empire. It’s fitting, really, because Tamla Claudette Robinson has spent her adult life preserving the very musical legacy her name represents.
Born to two Motown legends, Tamla has carved out her own path as a documentary producer, fashion entrepreneur, and unofficial family historian.
Biography
Tamla Claudette Robinson was born in 1971 in Los Angeles to Smokey Robinson and Claudette Rogers Robinson. Her arrival was something of a miracle itself. Claudette had suffered seven miscarriages during her years touring with The Miracles, the gruelling schedule taking a devastating physical toll. A doctor eventually developed a cervical brace that allowed her to carry Tamla to term, prompting Claudette to step back from touring to focus on motherhood.
Her middle name honours her mother, whilst her first name connects her directly to Motown’s origins. Berry Gordy originally wanted to call his label “Tammy Records” after Debbie Reynolds’ song, but finding that name taken, he chose “Tamla” instead. When Smokey and Claudette welcomed their daughter, they gave her this name as a living tribute to the label that changed American music.
Raised in Los Angeles after Motown relocated from Detroit, Tamla grew up surrounded by music industry royalty. Her father was simultaneously leading The Miracles and serving as Motown’s vice president, whilst her mother held the title “First Lady of Motown.” Berry Gordy became her godfather.
Tamla attended the University of Southern California, where she earned a degree in communications.
Family
Tamla has an older brother, Berry William Borope Robinson, born in 1968 via surrogate. He was named after Berry Gordy, with his middle names honouring their father, William “Smokey” Robinson and fellow Miracles members Bobby Rogers, Ronnie White, and Pete Moore. Berry maintains a private life away from the spotlight but remains close with his family, frequently appearing in Tamla’s social media posts.
She also has a half-brother, Trey Robinson, born in 1984. His birth resulted from Smokey’s affair with a woman he calls “Kandi,” and the revelation led to her parents’ divorce in 1986 after 27 years of marriage. Remarkably, Claudette maintained cordial relationships with both Trey and his mother. Kandi even stipulated in her will that Claudette would raise Trey if anything happened to her.
Despite the painful divorce when Tamla was about fourteen, she maintained close relationships with both parents. Her father later married Frances Glandney in 2002, whilst Claudette never remarried.
Career
Tamla’s most significant professional achievement has been serving as executive producer of “The First Lady of Motown: The Claudette Robinson Story.” The documentary chronicles her mother’s pioneering role in music history and addresses what many consider a historical oversight. Claudette was part of the first act signed to Tamla Records and contributed to hits that shaped American popular music, yet her contributions were often marginalised in Motown’s official narrative.
The Miracles gave Motown its first million-selling single with “Shop Around” in 1960 and produced classics including “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” and “The Tears of a Clown.” They’ve earned more Grammy Hall of Fame inducted songs than any other Motown act and rank number 32 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Beyond producing, Tamla serves as the Director of Claudette Robinson’s Personal Archive, managing the collection of photographs, awards, and memorabilia that document her mother’s career. In November 2023, she co-curated “Claudette Robinson: A Motown Her-Story” at Detroit’s Motown Museum, working alongside associate curator Kemuel Benyehudah to select materials from her mother’s personal collection for public display.
Tamla also founded Born Star, a children’s fashion company based in Beverly Hills.
Personal Life
Tamla has a daughter named Lyric Ontiveros, who graduated from the University of Southern California in May 2019. Both Smokey and Tamla proudly attended the ceremony. The two share an incredibly close bond, with fans often commenting that they look more like sisters than mother and daughter. Lyric has attended events with her grandfather Smokey, including the 2023 Stagecoach music festival, and reportedly shares his passion for music.
Details about Tamla’s marital status and Lyric’s father remain private, part of her deliberate approach to maintaining personal boundaries whilst honouring her family’s public legacy.
Tamla shares a particularly tight bond with her father, describing their relationship as that of “best friends.” In 2017, she partnered with Smokey and media company ATTN to launch Father-Daughter Day, now celebrated on the second Sunday of October. “My dad and I, we’re best friends,” she explained during the campaign. “He would always give me guidance to just be true to myself. It just made me feel more confident knowing that my father accepted me for whoever I am.”
Specific financial information about Tamla Robinson isn’t publicly available. Her income comes from multiple sources, including her Born Star fashion business, documentary production, and archival management. Her father, Smokey Robinson, has a net worth estimated at approximately $150 million.
