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 Mar... more »tinez 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« less
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
CD Reviews
Great album, great sound
QP Robinson | ny | 07/19/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"angie martinez is an amazing artist. people can hate on her all they want but let me say one thing: all the reviews listed below are very deciving. they aren't true, and dont showcase what the album is all about. angie martinez is a loved hip hop radio dj in new york city on the worlds hottest rap and rnb station hot 97. heres the showcase of the album star for star.1) only the hottest producers leave a mark on the album: clue, doro, the neptunes, q-tip and many more. they make the hottest beats and the tightest production and make sure that everything on the album flows perfectly.2) the guest artists are plentiful yes, but most of them dont rap on the album, instead just supply a hook. the product g&b, wyclef, domingo, lil mo, tony sunshine, la india, mary j. blige, layzie bone, and q-tip all just provide hooks on the album, parts of the song that angie wouldn't record anyway. they dont interupt her tight lyrical verses.3) her lyrics are always on point. she never slips up and that is the biggest misconception. people say her flow isn't on point and thats the biggest lie i ever heard. she outperforms snoop dogg & prodigy with there contributions to the album and can hold down songs for herself on "dem thangz" & "go muthaf**ka". so yes there are solo songs.4) the best thing about angie is that her subject matter isn't the same as other female rappers ... look at lil kim, foxy brown, eve, trina, gangsta boo and sole`. they all push there sexual subjects and appearence to sell there records. even missy (one minute man) and rah digga ("my p***y runs deeper then stab wounds from ice picks) started abandoning there styles to get a bit more sexy. angie raps about her life, partying and just having a good time. another thing is she doesn't lie or set up fake mafia stories. shes real from her head to her toe ring (like she says).5) the songs on the record are banging. "mi amor" with jay-z, "dem thangz" & "coast2coast [suavamente]" with wyclef are all radio favorites and they have pushed her even further into the mainstream then she already was. "live from the streets" is one of the hottest joints out now as is her lyrical duet with fat joe on "thug love". i dare somebody to name a wack joint on this album cuz they cant be found.point blank my girl is the best female rapper out now and the only one out of all of em that i'm even feeling. i listen to: Jigga Shyne P.Diddy Nelly Dre Busta and everyone else that people listen to but this is the only female rapper in my ENTIRE collection and hell yah i'm proud to admit it. "A.MARTINEZ" just check the credits baby.**and for the people that say foxy brown is hot, yah i agree SHE CAN RAP ALL OF JAY-ZS LYRICS PRETTY DAMN GOOD (check the credits)"
Up Close with Angie
Anthony Humphrey | Manhattan | 09/15/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Angie Martinez is the hardest working female in the entire entertainment business. She is a rapper, a model, an actress, a host (of Stretch, HBO's newest original series), an on-air radio personality, a CEO and most importantly a fantastic role model. She is easily my favorite female rapper because she is the only one in the game that doesn't push units stictly based on her obvious sex appeal or any gimmicks. She is what LL COOL J once referred to as an "around the way girl". With industry connections to last her a lifetime, Angie went into this album with no experience, and surprised many people with the outcome.The album boasts many high profile collaborations, such as production from RocWilder ("Mi Amor"), The Neptunes ("Dem Thangz"), Salaam Remi, DJ Clue & Doro ("New York, New York"), and guest appearences from Jay-Z ("Mi Amor"), Wyclef Jean ("Coast 2 Coast"), Snoop Dogg ("Ladies & Gents"), Mary J. Blige ("Breathe") & Fat Joe ("Thug Love"). But don't think that the spotlight is all on them, because with Martinez pulling in double duty as the album's Executive Producer (is there anything she can't do?) she makes sure that the beats & performance are always at their best.The album is flooded with great tracks. There is a 3 way tie for the best song: "Every Little Girl" (Featuring The Product G & B), "Live From the Streets" (Featuring Jadakiss, Styles, Beanie Sigel, Brett & Kool G. Rap) & "Go". Other hot tracks include certified party startes such as "Dem Thangz", "No Playaz" (Featuring Lil' Mo & Tony Sunshine), "Live from Jimmy's" (Featuring Big Pun, Domingo, Cuban Link & Sunkiss) & "Gutter to the Fancy Ish" (Featuring Busta Rhymes). The album really doesn't have any noticeably weak moments besides the interludes that are spread out through the album.For those who judged Angie for her cross-over into rapping before even giving her a chance, you seriously need to take a listen. She is very very talented and she shows that on this album. For those who feel she is "just a radio-personality" you will be surprised by her ability to flow over every beat and her ability to lyrically keep up with hip hop's elite. Angie is here to stay weither people want her to be or not, so you might as well get over it and stop dening yourself some great music, because of your preconcieved notions."
A breathe of fresh air
Chris Filipee | Los Angelous | 08/24/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"this is easily the best female rap album that i've ever heard in my entire life. basically straight up female rappers [are] so bad and they lack the lyrical skills that can make them keep up with their male counterparts. angie basically shows that she is a step ahead of the sex-obsessed female rappers who sell their bodies instead of selling their records. angie is the only female rapper who keeps sex out of her subject matter. i mean even rah digga throws in a few sexual lyrics here and there. angie keeps it real, and straight up this is what the average female in the united states is like. she also talks about more then 2-3 subjects and balances out the album with sophisticated lyrics that can be taken seriously. she raps about her life, partying, hanging with friends, luxuries of being famous, and basically things she likes to do. if you listen to this album you will be up close and personal. she also rips every track that you throw her on. "new york, new york" & "ladies and gents" are just 2 tracks that showcases her lyrical talents (which other reviewers say she has none cuz she is the only female rapper to break free of the ... fad)on. the first single "mi amor" with jay-z is still on my playlist as is the third single "suavamente/coast2coast" with rap superman wyclef jean. the album's best tracks though are the underground suprises like "live from the streets" & "go muthaf**ka". angie showcases rap skills and undeniable hip hop love that hasn't been seen on a female rap album ever. basically if you are looking for a GOOD female rapper ...then angie is that breathe of fresh air. if you go into this open minded then you will be extremely suprised on what this hot 97 radio dj extrodinare can do. i was extremely pleased by the album and know that other fans will be as well. keep it going ma, you are doing your thing."
Hot [stuff]!!!
Ruben G. | BRONX NY | 04/11/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i think the album is hot ...... but not 2 beat up on her or anything ms angie is not a model like people are saying in their reviews .. yes she is a radio host dj and yes she is a rapper but thats it shes not a model shes not a ceo she doesnt have her own clothing line or fragrance ..... but no doubt this album is good ..... angie is a good rapper and she gets her point out good which alot of female rappers dont do like eve and trina .... shes good looking too but angie is trying 2 hard 2 be a "jennifer lopez" ..... doing it all in music and trying 2 get a spot 4 acting .....which i dont think theres nothing bad with that just it seems as if shes following her steps ... anyways im braggin to much here the cd is hot so go get it ..."
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1
