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My Voice: A Memoir
Angie Martinez is the “Voice of New York.” Now, for the first time, she candidly recounts the story of her rise to become an internationally celebrated hip hop radio icon.
In her current reign at Power 105.1 and for nearly two decades at New York’s Hot 97, Angie Martinez has had one of the highest rated radio shows in the country. After working her way up as an intern, she burst on the scene as a young female jock whose on-air “Battle of the Beats” segment broke records and became a platform for emerging artists like a young Jay Z. Angie quickly became known for intimate, high-profile interviews, mediating feuds between artists, and taking on the most controversial issues in hip hop. At age twenty-five, at the height of the East Coast/West Coast rap war, Angie was summoned by Tupac Shakur for what would be his last no-holds-barred interview—which has never aired in its entirety and which she’s never discussed in detail—until now.
Angie shares stories from behind-the-scenes of her most controversial conversations, from onetime presidential hopeful Barack Obama to superstars like Mary J. Blige and Chris Brown, and describes her emotional, bittersweet final days at Hot 97 and the highly publicized move to Power 105.1. She also opens up about her personal life—from her roots in Washington Heights and her formative years being raised by a single mom in Brooklyn to exploring the lessons that shaped her into the woman she is today.
From the Puerto Rican Day Parade to the White House—Angie is universally recognized as a powerful voice in the Latino and hip hop communities. My Voice gives an inside look at New York City’s one-of-a-kind urban radio culture, the changing faces of hip hop music, and Angie’s rise to become the Voice of New York.
From the Hardcover edition.
In her current reign at Power 105.1 and for nearly two decades at New York’s Hot 97, Angie Martinez has had one of the highest rated radio shows in the country. After working her way up as an intern, she burst on the scene as a young female jock whose on-air “Battle of the Beats” segment broke records and became a platform for emerging artists like a young Jay Z. Angie quickly became known for intimate, high-profile interviews, mediating feuds between artists, and taking on the most controversial issues in hip hop. At age twenty-five, at the height of the East Coast/West Coast rap war, Angie was summoned by Tupac Shakur for what would be his last no-holds-barred interview—which has never aired in its entirety and which she’s never discussed in detail—until now.
Angie shares stories from behind-the-scenes of her most controversial conversations, from onetime presidential hopeful Barack Obama to superstars like Mary J. Blige and Chris Brown, and describes her emotional, bittersweet final days at Hot 97 and the highly publicized move to Power 105.1. She also opens up about her personal life—from her roots in Washington Heights and her formative years being raised by a single mom in Brooklyn to exploring the lessons that shaped her into the woman she is today.
From the Puerto Rican Day Parade to the White House—Angie is universally recognized as a powerful voice in the Latino and hip hop communities. My Voice gives an inside look at New York City’s one-of-a-kind urban radio culture, the changing faces of hip hop music, and Angie’s rise to become the Voice of New York.
From the Hardcover edition.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2016
116 people are currently reading
1406 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
March 8, 2017
OLD LADY ALERT!!!
Today's Hip-Hop is hot garbage. It just is. Of course there are exceptions like J.Cole, Kendrick, and Chance but overall its a dumpster fire.
I grew up a hip-hop head I can remember being a child and being devastated by the deaths of Pac and Biggie. The first cd I ever purchased with my own money that I saved from chores and allowances was Tupac's greatest hits. I loved Jayz before he ever even met Our Queen Beyonce. When I was a kid I wished that I lived in NY because I wanted to listen to the radio station Hot 97. It was the epitome cool and Angie Martinez was the queen.
If you want a dishy gossipy tell-all this is not your book. If you want an inside look at the hip-hop scene from the mid-90's - now this is your book. Angie is a class act she doesn't come for people or try to settle scores ( though I did enjoy the time she beat Wendy Williams up. For that alone she's a National Treasure) she simply tells her truth. I think this is require reading for hip-hop heads or anyone who wants to read about when hip-hop was real.
Popsugar 2017 Reading Challenge: Book by a Person of Color.
Today's Hip-Hop is hot garbage. It just is. Of course there are exceptions like J.Cole, Kendrick, and Chance but overall its a dumpster fire.
I grew up a hip-hop head I can remember being a child and being devastated by the deaths of Pac and Biggie. The first cd I ever purchased with my own money that I saved from chores and allowances was Tupac's greatest hits. I loved Jayz before he ever even met Our Queen Beyonce. When I was a kid I wished that I lived in NY because I wanted to listen to the radio station Hot 97. It was the epitome cool and Angie Martinez was the queen.
If you want a dishy gossipy tell-all this is not your book. If you want an inside look at the hip-hop scene from the mid-90's - now this is your book. Angie is a class act she doesn't come for people or try to settle scores ( though I did enjoy the time she beat Wendy Williams up. For that alone she's a National Treasure) she simply tells her truth. I think this is require reading for hip-hop heads or anyone who wants to read about when hip-hop was real.
Popsugar 2017 Reading Challenge: Book by a Person of Color.
June 7, 2016
I read this book in less than 24 hours. Because Angie snapped with this.
I remember growing up and listening to Angie Martinez. She was the FLYEST. In an industry filled with men, she held her own. With her appropriately titled book, she allows the reader to re-live some of the most pivotal moments in hip hop through her own life. I felt like I was standing over her shoulder sometimes. Incredible. I cannot say enough good things about it.
This one, is definitely for the culture. A must read.
I remember growing up and listening to Angie Martinez. She was the FLYEST. In an industry filled with men, she held her own. With her appropriately titled book, she allows the reader to re-live some of the most pivotal moments in hip hop through her own life. I felt like I was standing over her shoulder sometimes. Incredible. I cannot say enough good things about it.
This one, is definitely for the culture. A must read.
June 19, 2016
I heard really good things about this book from a bibliophile friend. She raved about the book. I thought hmm, okay. So I bought the book. OMG SO GOOD. Angie Martinez is the hip hop culture. Her stories are so rich -- mainly because I remember the moments she vividly recalls: 2Pac and his beef with the east coast, The Lox on her show, summer jam screen. This book is great -- anybody that grew up reading Vibe, Source, XXL will devour this book. As she said her being on the radio was social media - the exclusive interviews, being an industry insider - it's all there. But what makes the book so special, is the authenticity. First, the book is written in the same way she talks. So that's funny. Second, she's a young Latina woman in an industry full of men and killing it. No small feat. Third, she's real about career satisfaction, relationships with men, her money management. It's refreshing to read a memoir that's not self aggrandizing . Plus, I loved the epilogue a lot. Great book
September 23, 2018
WHOAAA!
I closed the cover on this book with a new respect for Angie Martínez. Like any great memoir should, I felt as if I was sitting with her, laughing, clowning, and yes, even a few times, finding myself DEEP in my feelings.
Her bravery is both impressive and admirable. It's NOT easy navigating this world as a woman, and after learning her story, I'm more than a fan of her music, I'm a friend. In my head, anyway. =)
Happy reading!
I closed the cover on this book with a new respect for Angie Martínez. Like any great memoir should, I felt as if I was sitting with her, laughing, clowning, and yes, even a few times, finding myself DEEP in my feelings.
Her bravery is both impressive and admirable. It's NOT easy navigating this world as a woman, and after learning her story, I'm more than a fan of her music, I'm a friend. In my head, anyway. =)
Happy reading!
June 10, 2017
It's ladies night what
It must be Angie on the 🎤
I always liked her
It must be Angie on the 🎤
I always liked her
May 20, 2016
I could hear her voice as I read
Brought back a lot of memories when music was exciting. I almost viewed it as a behind the music episode.
Brought back a lot of memories when music was exciting. I almost viewed it as a behind the music episode.
May 20, 2016
Great book and if you are a fan of the culture. This book gave me inspiration. Love her voice, experience, and growth.
June 13, 2016
Loved this book! I learned alot about Angie Martinez's life and I was very inspired by her drive, words and experiences. I cried, I laughed and I most enjoyed The Voice!!
June 2, 2016
Loved this book. A huge fan of Angie's since she came on the air and she kept it as real in her book as she does on the radio. The anecdotes she shared about hip hop culture, her place in it, and the artists are special, authentic. If you love this music, this culture, Angie will give you that insider's tour. In addition to that, I admire her courage to stay true to herself, and her honesty to readers when she strayed from that ethic. It's not easy to be a woman in this industry and she shows us how she held her own. It was also a very inspiring read for me. She shares the wisdom gained from her experiences, which gives the book a very personal touch. I burned through it in a couple of days. Couldn't put it down.
June 3, 2016
I'm not even from New York and I've known about Angie from hot 97 since I was a youngin listening to hip hop. She's interviewed all the greats and to read about them was almost like listening to her reminisce. She's a real one, definitely one of the last.
June 11, 2017
Angie Martinez was a constant in my childhood-teenaged years. I remember looking forward to listening to her on the radio. As I grew up, I stepped away from hip hop, and I have no interest in what it has become. But because this is Angie, I was really looking forward to reading this, and I was not disappointed.
There's something beautiful about hearing someone talk about their passion. It's completely different than any other conversation you may have. The passion just exuded from these pages. This is someone who truly loves what she does.
I absolutely love this woman. I love that she champions for the urban community and is very loyal to her roots. Despite her success, she remembers who she is and where she came from, and does her best to honor and help that very community she has always been a part of. I loved hearing her story, and I thought it was very interactive because I had to go back and listen to the songs she mentioned and watch the videos. It has been such a long time since I heard them. 5/5
There's something beautiful about hearing someone talk about their passion. It's completely different than any other conversation you may have. The passion just exuded from these pages. This is someone who truly loves what she does.
I absolutely love this woman. I love that she champions for the urban community and is very loyal to her roots. Despite her success, she remembers who she is and where she came from, and does her best to honor and help that very community she has always been a part of. I loved hearing her story, and I thought it was very interactive because I had to go back and listen to the songs she mentioned and watch the videos. It has been such a long time since I heard them. 5/5
May 9, 2017
I am not a fan of autobiographies at all, so I was hesitant to start reading this book. I do not regret it though.
Often times, if I don't care about the writer of the autobiography enough to read their book. Then sometimes, they embellish or they get preachy or overly dramatic...all these are reasons for me to not pick one up. I decided to give this book a try because a friend told me her story is actually entertaining. She doesn't add embellishments or any extra dramatics. Granted, she told me about it last year, but I still read it!
The title of this book is very fitting! Her story is uplifting and relate-able. She was just a regular kid and is still your regular, every day person. Her life experiences, being a radio personality, were very entertaining and interesting. She has had a fascinating life so far and I enjoyed reading about it.
Often times, if I don't care about the writer of the autobiography enough to read their book. Then sometimes, they embellish or they get preachy or overly dramatic...all these are reasons for me to not pick one up. I decided to give this book a try because a friend told me her story is actually entertaining. She doesn't add embellishments or any extra dramatics. Granted, she told me about it last year, but I still read it!
The title of this book is very fitting! Her story is uplifting and relate-able. She was just a regular kid and is still your regular, every day person. Her life experiences, being a radio personality, were very entertaining and interesting. She has had a fascinating life so far and I enjoyed reading about it.
June 3, 2016
Loved this!! Love Angie Martinez!!
I've always been a fan of Angie's but reading her memoir made me respect her that much more. This book was such an easy read and written so well (I heard her voice in my head the entire time I read it). She told candid stories and brought back so many memories of the most epic times in Hip Hop. While Angie gave a priceless behind the scenes look at her life and career, what I appreciated most was learning about her as the woman-not just "The Voice of NY"-her relationships and her adjustment to motherhood truly resonated with me personally. GREAT READ and absolutely recommended.
I've always been a fan of Angie's but reading her memoir made me respect her that much more. This book was such an easy read and written so well (I heard her voice in my head the entire time I read it). She told candid stories and brought back so many memories of the most epic times in Hip Hop. While Angie gave a priceless behind the scenes look at her life and career, what I appreciated most was learning about her as the woman-not just "The Voice of NY"-her relationships and her adjustment to motherhood truly resonated with me personally. GREAT READ and absolutely recommended.
August 16, 2016
So so so good! This book is perfect for anyone who loves 90s hiphop. Angie recounts so many memories that will likely make you have flashbacks too. And it's impossible to read this book and not hear her voice. I love and respect her journey, her life lessons learned, her authenticity, and how invaluable she was (and still is) to the world of hip hop. ❤️
June 23, 2016
On of the first Memoir I ever read and it was a good read. Did not know much about her besides her being on radio and this really opened me up the that voice I would always hear on the radio. She gives great advice and seems like a really easy person to talk to.
August 2, 2016
4.5 stars but Goodreads...
February 11, 2017
interesting
I enjoyed some of it and got some inspiration. I wish there were more in depth stories about the artists she interviewed.
I enjoyed some of it and got some inspiration. I wish there were more in depth stories about the artists she interviewed.
March 13, 2018
I SQUARE autobiographies are my absolute favorite, no one can tell your story like you!! I thoroughly enjoyed Angie’s story more so because I am a music head and just hearing the love in her voice reverberated down in my soul cause that’s just what music does and is to me!!!
The story was amazing the stories within were amazing— I learned some things and I also loved that Angie wasn’t all over town with everyone to get on she just legit loved music and that opened everyone’s eyes and ears to her knowledge. Overall, the story touched me and I’m glad I bought the book— I mean we know Angie in the south but not like NYC; well worth the read and your time 💚. On my “Top” shelf for sure!!!
The story was amazing the stories within were amazing— I learned some things and I also loved that Angie wasn’t all over town with everyone to get on she just legit loved music and that opened everyone’s eyes and ears to her knowledge. Overall, the story touched me and I’m glad I bought the book— I mean we know Angie in the south but not like NYC; well worth the read and your time 💚. On my “Top” shelf for sure!!!
September 23, 2017
GoodRead, really entertaining
October 2, 2024
this book is a triumph. hip hop history, music history, new york history. a feminist life without ever mentioning the word, angie 's story is inspiring. follow your passion & intuition & never give up , angie proves you can do anything.
October 6, 2016
I basically read this book in two days. It was really really good.
This is one for the 90s babies who love hiphop music and culture. I felt like I was re-living moments of my teenage ages with a fresh outlook. It was lost on us how young hip-hop culture was at the time. We were really witnessing moments that will last for epochs and Angie Martinez was really one of the key influencers before influencers was a buzzword.
I really appreciated how thoughtful Angie was in sharing her experiences as well as lessons from those experiences. Her candor about all aspects of her life was also very refreshing.
One of my favorite lessons that she shared in Chapter 11 where she explains that noise is just noise - good or bad and what is important is focusing on what happens in the long run. I also loved the Epilogue about finding your inspiration and her experience with the NY Marathon.
She really did it for the culture!
This is one for the 90s babies who love hiphop music and culture. I felt like I was re-living moments of my teenage ages with a fresh outlook. It was lost on us how young hip-hop culture was at the time. We were really witnessing moments that will last for epochs and Angie Martinez was really one of the key influencers before influencers was a buzzword.
I really appreciated how thoughtful Angie was in sharing her experiences as well as lessons from those experiences. Her candor about all aspects of her life was also very refreshing.
One of my favorite lessons that she shared in Chapter 11 where she explains that noise is just noise - good or bad and what is important is focusing on what happens in the long run. I also loved the Epilogue about finding your inspiration and her experience with the NY Marathon.
She really did it for the culture!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2016
The best of times, the worse of times. Either way the 90's was the shit
This book brought memories back to being on Jamaica Avenue on 165th street, and every store would have speakers outside blasting the hottest song of the summer via Hot 97. I loved getting the back story from this book of things that we saw in the headlines or in the Source during those times. The 90's were the best years hands down, but it was nothing like being in New York during that time. Angie always came off real, as she does in this book, which just let's you see how genuine she is.
This book brought memories back to being on Jamaica Avenue on 165th street, and every store would have speakers outside blasting the hottest song of the summer via Hot 97. I loved getting the back story from this book of things that we saw in the headlines or in the Source during those times. The 90's were the best years hands down, but it was nothing like being in New York during that time. Angie always came off real, as she does in this book, which just let's you see how genuine she is.
June 25, 2016
I was skeptical at first, but I grew up listening to Angie Martinez on Hot 97 and I knew I wanted to learn more about her story. After the first chapter I was sucked in. It took me a little over a week to finish, but I enjoyed every moment. She took me back in time to my childhood days of growing up in Brooklyn and listening to hip hop. Her story is truly a success story. She is authentic and down to earth and that comes through in her book. I felt connected to her struggles and her success. Would highly recommend!
June 8, 2016
I ordered this book the day it came out and I wanted the ACTUAL BOOK not an e copy so I had to wait as it was on back order.... After reading a snip it given to me by Amazon I was watching the mail box daily waiting for it to come!! After it finally arrived I was too busy and carried it in my purse for a WEEK before I could get to it. That all ended Saturday and I haven't put it down SINCE!! I literally JUST finished because I couldn't save it for another day!! Cheers to you @angiemartinez
May 26, 2016
This book had me taking the bus instead of the train just so that I can read a few extra pages on my way home. Could not put it down! So well written, and being from NYC I felt an even greater connection to her stories. Definitely recommend this book!
September 19, 2016
Angie Martinez tells the story of how she grew up in New York and got her start in radio. How she helped build Hot 97 and how as it started to change for the worse, she decided she needed to leave and go to the competition. Read: September 2016
December 28, 2017
An inspiring read!
October 3, 2018
3.5 stars
September 4, 2022
My Voice by Angie Martinez……a wonderful story. It’s hard for me to put stairs to her evolution. She shared some iconic and wisdom filled moments. I read every interview in every bodies voice!!
October 13, 2020
This memoir does not have a ghost writer.I respect Angie Martinez evermore because of this fact. It's written in the vernacular. Anyone who has earnestly gone past the fifth grade can understand this book. No need for a dictionary or a thesaurus. It's relatable and she knows her audience.
Nothing salacious, either. I wouldn't classify this memoir as a tell-all. Still enjoyable!!
Nothing salacious, either. I wouldn't classify this memoir as a tell-all. Still enjoyable!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews