Angie Martinez is a Bronx-born Puerto Rican, who made a name for herself as a disc jockey on New York's hip hop radio station Hot 97. She debuted her rapping skills in the late 90s, first appearing on Lil' Kim's 1997 hit remix, "Not Tonite" from the ... soundtrack. At the beginning of the new millennium, Martinez appeared on D12's "Fight Music" single and a short time later released her first album, on the strength of its single "Dem Thangs". The album and single were commercial flops.

Martinez rebounded in 2002 with her sophomore effort, Animal House, a much more commercially-successful album, thanks to its hit single "If I Could Go", which featured rising R&B singer, Lil' Mo. The song eventually rose into the top 40 on both the urban and pop charts, with no New York City airplay (stations like Z-100 , KTU , and Power 105 , Hot 97's biggest competition in the city), other than heavy play from Hot 97 itself. Across the country, the song's radio popularity was widespread.

The album's next single and music video, for a track called "Take You Home", which featured Kelis, was less successful. Still, in the end, Animal House managed to sell respectfully, considering Martinez' atypical start in the recording industry.

Martinez is married to Dru Hill founder Tamir "Nokio" Ruffin; the couple have one child.

See also

• List of famous Puerto Ricans

External links

• Get "Angie Martinez" Lyrics