A New York City radio personality has resigned after an illustrious career that started when she was just 16 years old. Angie Martinez, 41, the Voice of New York, announced Wednesday that she had resigned from Hot 97 with a post on Instagram.
Martinez captioned the photo with the following words:
Today I resigned from HOT97. I am grateful to the Emmis family for my time with the company and the immeasurable way that it has shaped my life. We made history together in so many ways and I will cherish those memories and my friendships forever. This was one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make but ultimately it is time to move on, to grow and to be challenged in new ways. Saying goodbye is always emotional and bitter sweet but I am extremely excited about the future. Thank you HOT97 and most importantly….the listeners… for an unimaginable journey. Today will be my last show ❤️ stay tuned…. Love, angie
Martinez’s radio career started in a not-so-glamorous job of answering the telephones, but under the tutelage of DJ Funkmaster Flex, she worked her way to the top.
Martinez wasn’t a one-trick pony. Her talents extended outside the radio studio. Martinez is also an actress who was seen in movies like Blood Is Thicker Than Water, Paper Soldiers and Brown Sugar with Queen Latifah and Sanaa Lathan. Musically, if you’re not familiar with her on-air skills, at KRS-One’s encouragement, she appeared on his track “Heartbeat” from his 1997 album, I Got Next. That appearance led her to being the first lady up to the mic on Lil Kim’s “Ladies Night” single. Eventually she dropped her own album in 2001, Up Close and Personal, but it was met with little fanfare. Martinez’s 2002 Animal House album fared better with fans and even garnered her a BET Award nomination for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist.
Martinez’s fans on Twitter expressed their appreciation for her longevity and talent:
Where Martinez ends up next remains a mystery, but one thing’s for sure, the person taking her place has a big seat to fill.
Yesha Callahan is editor of The Grapevine and a staff writer at The Root. Follow her on Twitter.
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