(Photo By Google Images)
Veteran Hip-Hop/radio personality Angie Martinez set the internet ablaze when she made the shocking announcement this week that she was walking away from her position at famed New York radio station Hot 97. It has been her home away from home for the past 15 plus years. She started off as an intern/protege of sorts at age 16 and worked her way up from there. She became known as “The Voice Of New York” and went on to dominant afternoons with her interviews of some the biggest names in the business and beyond.
She’s chopped it up with everyone from former President Bill Clinton to the late Tupac to the troubled Kanye West just to name a few. She has always been well liked and seldom mentioned in relation to any dramas or scandals. So the news caught the masses off guard. She dropped the bombshell via a sentimental post on her Instagram account. There appears to be no hard feelings or anything in particular that drove her away. She seemingly just made the decision in an effort to advance and grow in her career. She had nothing but love to shower on her Hot 97 family and supporters. Then yesterday things got interesting.
Once everyone recovered from Angie’s unexpected departure; the rumor mill went crazy with talks that she was going to go and work for the competition. Said competition being Power 105.1 (Clear Channel Media) also known as home to The Breakfast Club (Angela Yee, Charlamagne Tha God, and DJ Envy). The two stations have had a serious rivalry over the years as they’ve battled it out for the number one slot. In current standings apparently Power 105.1 is dominating the market while Hot 97 is on the decline. Early yesterday morning, the rumor was confirmed as true. Angie Martinez indeed joined the Clear Channel Media team. She will take over afternoons from 2pm – 6pm as well as make appearances on 103.5 The Beat in Miami, which is another station powered by Clear Channel. Her new ventures will begin in mid-July. In her press release regarding the move, she still maintained that it was all about taking her brand to the next level. But others believe she was just trying to distance herself before Hot 97 goes all the way under. The Breakfast Club team are the ones who let the cat out of the bag so to speak. They are beyond thrilled to welcome Angie to the Clear Channel collective (see below).
Ebro of Hot 97 played the news cool on social media and wished Angie the best. However, his fellow teammate Funkmaster Flex is not holding back as he reawakened his long term feud with DJ Envy via Instagram. The two are apparently involved in some kind of drama that led to a Cease & Desist order being filed. It is believed that the feuding between the two stations will only get worse from here on out. What a mess. Though her decision to move on was admittedly difficult, Angie is excited about her future and it will be interesting to see how she settles into her new gig.
**My Two Cents: I like Angie Martinez and I understand her position. But I also understand the other side of the situation as well. Loyalty is a big deal and you shouldn’t just turn your back on family because times are tough. And if she did feel the need to make an exit, I am sure there were other options available to her that did not involve the enemies of those who helped shape and mold her career for the past couple of decades. Either way, it’s no easy predicament to be in. I wish her the best of luck at her new radio home and hope that the drama doesn’t get too out of control. -MinM
