Angie Martinez - Up Close and Personal

On her debut album, Up Close and Personal, New York radio personality Angie Martinez attempts to step outside her DJ role and into that of an MC. But an unpolished flow and unsophisticated lyrics will hopefully keep Martinez from quitting her day job. Up Close is not a complete flop, however. Martinez may not be a wordsmith, but she knows what one sounds like and had the good sense and connections to include some of hip-hop's biggest names on her album. Martinez is at her best on songs like the capricious Latin-music-inspired "Coast 2 Coast" with Wyclef Jean, and the flirtatious "Mi Amor" with Jay-Z. And to her credit, Martinez holds her own on the independent woman's anthem "Breathe" featuring the lulling vocals of Mary J. Blige and La India. Up Close probably won't be nominated for hip-hop album of the year, but Martinez's obvious love for the music and intelligent choices in collaborators give the album a level of integrity that cannot be denied. --Felicia A. Wilks Amazon.com

No thanks....

I'm afraid I don't see much that is redeeming in this cd. Some people like it, that's fine, I'm not sure why. I think it is poorly done and truly not worth bothering with. But if you like it, I have one for sale.
As for the "artist", well I have deleted most all the things I already wrote about her as just personal observation. I don't know her and really don't want to.
It is obvious that she is not a ganster, not a rapper, not an artist and really just a dj hoping to cash in on some local fame.
So like I said, if you like this CD, I have one for sale.
May 22, 2006

NOT BAD AT ALL.

I bought this CD three years ago and never really listened to it because I thought it was boring at the time. The other day, I placed it into my CD changer and listened to the whole album. This CD is not as bad as I thought it was. It's a good album. As a matter of fact, I think it's a CD that will grow on you if you listen to it a couple of times. Angie doesn't really have the rhyming skills like Foxy, Kim, or Eve but she makes an attempt with some tight beats and famous producers. I see her as an female MC that needs to practice her skills a little more. I give her an "E" for effort. Overall, not bad. October 28, 2004

boring

Ok, she might have fame in the US being a radio DJ but in Europe she has no start-off fame and her singles were already rather boring. It's like someone is talking over a record, not rapping. The complete album didn't convince me either. February 22, 2004

Sum Real Hip-Hop displayed on this album!

"She grew up right by the subway, surronding people, she's new tramp but she's not lady, talking that street talk, she the heart and soul of New York city" This is what the intro of the man singing says and it states to be true. Angie Martinez from Hot 97 has finally came out with her debut which has been delayed since 1999. The album features some real Gangsta Hip-Hop/Rap styled. Some hardcore styling. Songs which really stand out are:

New York, New York (featuring DJ Clue and Prodigy) - The first song after the introduction. Gangsta Rap styled. Angie and Prodigy spit some bars about NYC. DJ Clue just does his shout which may irritate some people but he really produced a good track.

Live At Jimmy's (featuring Sunkiss etc.) - It's hot Latin styled flavored song. Shows that she got love for her fellow Latino brothers and sisters. Big Pun appears in this track. Angie does hot verses.

No Playaz (featuring Lil' Mo and Tony Sunshine) - This track is a chilled out R&B/Hip-Hop. Tells the brotha's what Angie wants. A real man, no playaz for her. Lil' Mo sings beautifully on this track and Angie and Tony do a very good interlude at the end!

Go (M********a) - This track is some REEL Gangsta Rap. She explains a relationship she had with some playa who just took her for a hoe. He don't think that she's anything. So she's just spitting back at him on how she feels about what he just done to her.

Dem Thangz, Dem Thangz (featuring Q-Tip) - Her debut single. Very good. All about the clubs. One of the first songs that the Neptunes produced for a female. Q-Tip does he's sing/rap style on this track alongside Angie's rappin.

Overall, this album is off da hook. It's about Angie's life cuz it's UP, CLOSE AND PERSONAL. November 9, 2003

Latin meets hip hop CALIENTE!

I must say I truly fell in love with this album more for the fact that both of my favorite kinds of music are blended together with such a perfect mix of both.
Latin styles with hip hop under and over tones, this album was done very very well, and I wish I could give Angie a 10 star rating!
She's honest in her music and anyone who really appreciates music, thugged out styles and latin over flows, then your gonna be in a good place when you check this album out..
Angie raps and sings absolutely beautifully, with lots of guest vocals through out the whole album, everyone will have a favorite on it.
Adious!
enjoy!
~S~ July 4, 2003

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