Angie Martinez

Puerto Rican radio personality, rapper, model, and sometimes actress Angie Martinez has proved she can do it all. She is most known, however, for her radio show, the single “Not Tonight,” and her turn in 2002’s romantic comedy Brown Sugar.

Angela Martinez was born January 9, 1971 in the Bronx, New York. Some sources, however, cite her year of birth as 1972.

Martinez entered the music world when she was sixteen by working at the Hot 97, a local radio station. It was here she met and began working under noted disc jockey Funkmaster Flex. Possessing a natural talent for radio and an inherent understanding of how to put a show together, Martinez was awarded her own timeslot after just three months at the station.

Following the popular Wendy Williams, Martinez show surprised even her most vocal champions. Becoming an almost immediate hit, it wasn’t long before her ratings had surpassed the station’s headliner, Williams. This shift in popularity prompted a rivalry between the two DJs.

The silent rivalry turned physical, however, when Williams insinuated on-air that Martinez was dating Q Tip, and this connection led to her quick promotion at the station. Martinez busted into Williams’ booth and threw verbal insults. The altercation escalated until there was a physical exchange. The entire incident was aired live to the radio-listening public.

The executives had to allocate blame and dole out punishment. Taking into consideration that Williams had incited the conflict, she was released and Martinez was given her desirable slot. Her new program became even more popular than her previous show. She subsequently earned the title “voice of New York.”

Her next major career boost came in 2002 when she was hired by HBO to host the talk show Stretch. Always set in the back of a stretch limo, Martinez would conduct interviews with celebrities on their way to major events. Martinez had a camera-friendly look and an easy way with the stars, and this immediately attracted Simon Fuller, better known as the executive producer for American Idol.

Desiring to add Martinez as the fourth judge opposite Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Paula Abdul, she began the long audition process to become a permanent fixture with the show. Martinez, however, opted out herself after only four days, because she could not bear to turn down the star hopefuls.

Although Martinez didn’t want to partake in American Idol as a judge, she had already made a name for herself in the music world. Most notably, she sang with Missy Elliott, Da Brat, and Lisa Lopes on the Lil Kim remix of “Not Tonight.” The single earned everyone involved two Grammy nominations as well as a platinum single.

Her solo debut album came in August of 2001, and it was called Up Close and Personal. Featuring guest rappers Mary J Blige, Wyclef Jean, Jay Z, Busta Rhymes, and others, the album sold relatively well and received minor acclaim from the critics. Her follow-up, Animal House, hit the shelves in 2002. Despite performing better in sales, Martinez announced her recording retirement shortly after.

In addition to all her other ventures, Martinez also found time to model for Marc Ecko, Mercedes Benz, and Lucky. She also had a brief acting career, appearing most notably in 2002’s Brown Sugar with Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan, Mos Def, and Queen Latifah.

In her personal life, Martinez is involved with longtime boyfriend Tamir Ruffin of Dru Hill. They had a son, Niko Ruffin, on June 12, 2003.