Angie Martinez

In 1996, Martinez was encouraged to give rapping a shot by friend KRS-One. She has appeared on tracks with many artists including KRS-One, Lil' Kim, Missy Elliott, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and Da Brat, Mary J. Blige ("Christmas in the City"), Terror Squad ("Freak Out"), N.O.R.E. ("Oh No Remix"), Beenie Man ("Tell Me Remix") and Funkmaster Flex & Big Kap's compilation album "The Tunnel" ("Wow"). She also recorded interludes for mixtapes by Kid Capri, DJ Clue and DJ Kayslay. In 2001, she appeared in the music video for Jay-Z and R. Kelly's "Guilty Until Proven Innocent."

On August 20, 2001, she finally issued her oft-delayed debut album, "Up Close and Personal." The album included many well known producers and artists and debuted at #32 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart, and #10 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Charts; the album sold 69,000 its first week. The second single, "Coast 2 Coast" (Suavamente) featuring rapper Wyclef Jean re-sparked interest in the album and Martinez herself was strongly accepted in the hip hop community.

Following her first album's release, Angie began work on a second record: "Animal House." Martinez's first single from her second album, "If I Could Go," also featured singer Lil' Mo. "If I Could Go" became a huge crossover hit on pop radio, climbing into the top 10 on The Billboard Hot 100 Chart. It became the #1 played on urban radio in 2002. "Animal House" (named after Martinez's own production company and recording posse), was released in August of 2002. It entered the Billboard Hot 200 Albums Chart at #11, and the Billboard Hot Hip-Hop / R&B Charts selling 92,000 units in its first week.

The follow-up single, "Take You Home," featuring R&B singer Kelis didn't receive as much attention, but it did become a minor hit that winter. The album was more well received by critics and fans. Following the release of the album, she was featured on a remix for label mate Lil' Mo's track "Gangster," and Nina Sky's hype single "Time to Go." Following that, she announced she was retiring from the recording industry to concentrate on her other projects.