Angie Martinez: The Voice of New York Hip Hop
Angie Martinez is an American radio personality, rapper, and media icon from New York City. Known as "The Voice of New York," she built a legendary career in hip hop radio before launching a successful recording career in the early 2000s.
Early career
Born in Brooklyn in 1971, Angie Martinez began her career as an intern at New York's Hot 97 FM. Her natural charisma and deep connection to hip hop culture led to an on-air role, where she quickly became a trusted interviewer and a defining voice for the station throughout the 1990s.
Breakthrough
Martinez's musical breakthrough came in 2001 with her debut single "Dem Thangs," featuring Jay-Z. The track's success led to her debut album, Up Close and Personal, released in 2002 on Elektra Records. The album debuted at number 20 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified gold, a rare feat for a radio personality transitioning to recording artist.
Key tracks
Dem Thangs — This Jay-Z collaboration served as her powerful introduction to the music world beyond radio.
If I Could Go — Featuring Lil' Mo and Sacario, this soulful track became her highest-charting single, reaching number 16 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Take You Home — This Kelis-featured song showcased her smoother, R&B-influenced style and received heavy radio rotation.
Coast 2 Coast — A posse cut with female MCs including Lady Luck and Remy Ma, it highlighted her role in empowering women in hip hop.
Her sophomore album, Animal House, arrived in 2002 and featured collaborations with Snoop Dogg and Wyclef Jean. While she continued to release music, her primary influence remained in radio, where she hosted highly popular shows for Power 105.1 and later returned to Hot 97, conducting landmark interviews with artists like The Notorious B.I.G. and a historic 2012 conversation between 50 Cent and Fat Joe.
Similar artists from the United States hip hop scene include Mary J. Blige for blending hip hop with soulful R&B. Eve shares a similar era of mainstream success and a strong female perspective in rap. Foxy Brown represents the same New York-centric, hardcore hip hop style. Remy Ma continues the legacy of respected female lyricists from the Bronx.
Angie Martinez's music, particularly her early 2000s hits, maintains a steady presence on classic hip hop FM stations and throwback radio formats. Her tracks are staples on shows dedicated to the sounds of the era, blending seamlessly with the work of the iconic artists she interviewed.
Listeners can discover the hip hop anthems of Angie Martinez on radio stations featured across our network. You can hear her music and legacy interviews on a variety of dedicated hip hop and classic rap stations available on onairium.com.
