Angie Martinez: The Voice of New York Hip Hop

Angie Martinez is an American radio personality, rapper, and media icon whose influence is deeply rooted in the New York City hip hop scene. Known as "The Voice of New York," her primary musical achievement is her 2001 debut album Up Close and Personal, which debuted at number 20 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified Gold.

Early career

Born in 1971 in Brooklyn, New York, Angie Martinez began her career behind the mic, not as a rapper but as a radio intern. She quickly rose through the ranks at New York's influential Hot 97 FM, becoming a trusted on-air personality and interviewer who earned the respect of the hip hop community's biggest stars.

Breakthrough

Her transition from interviewer to recording artist culminated in her 2001 debut album Up Close and Personal on Elektra Records. The album's success was fueled by high-profile collaborations and its lead single, a remix of Dem Thangs featuring Jay-Z and Method Man, which received heavy radio rotation.

Key tracks

Dem Thangs (Remix) — This posse cut featuring Jay-Z and Method Man served as the high-profile lead single that announced her arrival as a recording artist.

If I Could Go — Featuring Lil' Mo and Sacario, this soulful track showcased a more introspective side and became a standout on her debut album.

Take You Home — A collaboration with Kelis, this song highlighted her ability to blend rap with contemporary R&B production trends of the early 2000s.

Live at Jimmy's — This posse cut from her second album, Animal House, featured a formidable lineup including Snoop Dogg, Wyclef Jean, and Nate Dogg.

Continued influence and media empire

Following her second album, 2002's Animal House, Martinez strategically focused on expanding her media presence beyond music. She authored a bestselling memoir, My Voice, and launched the successful Angie Martinez IRL podcast, interviewing major figures across entertainment and culture. Her tenure at Power 105.1's The Breakfast Club and later return to Hot 97 solidified her status as a premier voice in urban media.

Artists with a similar foundational role in East Coast hip hop and media include Funkmaster Flex — a legendary DJ and radio host who also shaped the sound of New York hip hop radio. Missy Elliott — a visionary rapper and producer who, like Martinez, successfully crossed from artist to cultural influencer. DJ Clue — another iconic New York mixtape DJ and radio personality known for premiering exclusive tracks.

Angie Martinez's music and the stations she has defined are staples on hip hop and R&B radio stations across the country. Her tracks from the early 2000s are regularly featured on classic hip hop FM stations and urban contemporary online radio streams, maintaining her connection to new generations of listeners.

Listeners can discover the iconic sound of Angie Martinez on radio stations featured on onairium.com, where her influential work as both an artist and a defining voice of hip hop radio continues to be celebrated and broadcast.