Angela "Angie" Martinez (born January 9, 1971) is an American radio personality, rapper, singer, actress, television host, and podcaster. Known as "The Voice of New York," she became one of the most recognizable figures in hip-hop radio through her long-running work in New York City and her close connection with the artists, producers, and audiences who shaped the genre.
Martinez began her radio career as a teenager, working as an intern before moving into on-air roles. She developed her reputation at Hot 97, where she hosted the Angie Martinez Show for nearly three decades. Her conversational style was direct and informal, allowing her to interview major figures without losing the sense of intimacy that made urban radio central to hip-hop culture. Her guest list included The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, and many other influential performers. These interviews made Martinez more than a presenter: she became a trusted interpreter of New York's music scene and an important witness to hip-hop's rise into mainstream culture.
Although radio remained her primary field, Martinez also pursued a recording career. She first gained broad attention as a rapper through her appearance on the remix of Lil' Kim's "Not Tonight," alongside Kim, Da Brat, Missy Elliott, and Left Eye. The track became a major commercial and cultural success, and Martinez's contribution helped establish her as a credible performer rather than merely a radio personality.
Signed to Elektra Records, Martinez released her debut album, Up Close and Personal, in 2001. The record combined her conversational delivery with polished hip-hop and R&B production, featuring appearances from artists including Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Wyclef Jean, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, and Kool G Rap. Its singles included "Dem Thangz" and "Coast 2 Coast (Suavemente)." The album reached the Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. She followed it with Animal House in 2002, which produced the singles "If I Could Go" and "Take You Home." The latter featured Kelis, while other guests included Missy Elliott and Fat Joe. Martinez's music career was relatively brief, but it added another dimension to her authority within hip-hop.
In 2014, Martinez left Hot 97 and joined Power 105.1, continuing her work as a major-market radio host. She expanded her media presence through television, including the interview series Untold Stories of Hip Hop on WE tv, which she hosted and executive produced in 2019. The program drew on her longstanding relationships with artists and focused on personal accounts behind important moments in hip-hop history.
Martinez published the memoir My Voice in 2016, reflecting on her career and the development of New York hip-hop radio. She later continued her storytelling work through the IRL: In Real Life podcast and related production projects. Her honors include a 2018 NAB Marconi Award and induction into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2020. She was also selected for the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2024 in the radio category, recognizing a career that connected broadcasting, music journalism, performance, and popular culture.