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(Photo by Brian Friedman)
Whether aspiring to be a chart-topping artist, multimedia journalist, or social entrepreneur -- today's self-empowered generation shares a hunger for influence. More than being brand ambassadors or tastemakers, having influence serves as the blueprint for building businesses, establishing partnerships and developing impactful products.
Instead of treading against the tide of tradition, the new creative class chooses to ride a smarter wave, sparking movements that are actively redesigning contemporary culture. The byproduct of this evolving trend is a breed of emerging leaders committed to controlling their narrative and expanding the scope of possibility. This transformative energy is not only the ethos that births a renaissance, but the spirit that inspires revolutions.
Throughout history, such social shifts were spearheaded by a collective of voices. From scholars and authors, to entertainers and personalities -- their words worked in unison to guide the masses. Translating their personal perspective across mediums, these influencers exercised the ability to provoke thought, challenge perception and tell impactful stories. As a result, their conversations shaped how generations experienced the world and understood their place within it.
In a digital era fueled by content and conversations, voices still fuel culture. As the media landscape continues evolving, the most influential leaders in the current climate are those who've mastered the art of using communication to make real connections. Standing as one of the most influential on-air personalities in the history of Hip Hop radio, along with two successful charting albums under her belt as an emcee and noteworthy roles in cult classic films like Brown Sugar and Paid In Full -- Angie Martinez stands as proof that developing a prosperous multimedia enterprise is simply about staying true, being consistent and knowing the power of your voice.
Kicking off her career as a teenager, sharpening her skills under the mentorship of Funk Flex at New York's Hot 97 station, Martinez studied the game and steadily rose to solidify her name as "The Voice of New York". With an astonishing radio career spanning over two decades, Martinez boasts an unparalleled resume of memorable interviews with many of the most prominent entertainers and public figures in the culture, including 2Pac, Jay Z, Mariah Carey, J. Cole, Jessie Williams, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Her worked kicked down doors, setting the bar and laying the blueprint for an entire era of thriving media talent.
In 2014, after a decorated run at Hot 97, she departed her longtime home to host her own self-titled radio show at rival station Power 105.1. The emotional transition became the foundation from which she began writing her New York Times best-selling memoir, "My Voice", which hit shelves in May of 2016. In the reflective book, Martinez shares an honest recount of her story navigating the industry. Recently announcing her first development deal with Endemol Shine, Angie is now making a natural transitioning into television, set to develop both scripted and unscripted projects for liner and digital platforms.
I spoke with Angie about her business model, guiding principles, and the importance of investing in your own growth.
The best brands in the world aren't companies, they're the foundation from which great companies are born -- How would you define the Angie Martinez brand and the movement you represent?
Angie Martinez: The weird thing is, I never really thought about it much. I got into this work, because I loved it. I've always trusted my natural instinct, because nobody ever taught me how to be on the radio or produce a show, and I never went to broadcasting school or anything like that. I think over time, people start telling you what your brand is, and I try not to think about it too much, because then you start playing to the crowd, and I never really wanted to do that. I always want to represent being in the moment, staying honest, and being comfortable in my skin. I am very conscious about being present and listening to people. Whenever I think I’m going to get certain information out of a person, it’s never as effective or comfortable as just having an open conversation, listening to them, being present, and being open to hearing something I didn’t even know they were going to say. It’s good to be prepared, have notes, and remember things you’d like to get to. But, ultimately, I like it to be a natural experience, and create a real connection with the person I’m having a conversation with.
When you started, it was all about the craft and love for what you were doing -- At what point did you realize your voice was impactful and capable of influencing a generation?
Angie Martinez: I think it happened in phases. The first part was my 2 Pac interview. That’s when I first realized my voice could shift the trajectory of how something is handled. My intentions were good, but I realized I had the power to make situations much better or a lot worse. I quickly learned that how I handle myself would matter beyond myself. It was bigger than liking a song. I realized my point of view actually mattered to the real-life stories that were going on within our culture. Then, there was leaving Hot 97. The way people reacted to that, and the flood or stories and memories that came at me in that time really gave me a sense of how much history I’ve had with people in my career. That was really special to me, and really what made me want to write the book. While all these memories were popping up and all this love was around me, it felt like the perfect time to start writing. There were times within that period where I had an impact, but when I interviewed Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, that wasn’t the norm. Having two powerful political figures like that come to the radio station, that wasn’t normal. That’s when I realized not just my voice, but the voice of the people I represent, mattered to very important people. Now, I’m realizing that my voice has mattered to people, but also has so much more to offer.
How have you been able to establish such a level of trust with the wide variety of prominent people you’ve been able to speak with?
Angie Martinez: I grew up watching Oprah on television. So, to say I didn’t learn a lot from her just wouldn't be true. Although we share two different perspectives of the world, we're very alike in terms of being true to yourself and having good intentions. That what always stuck with me watching her work. I came from a family like that, and my mother was like that also. Oprah emphasizes to make sure that you’re always being authentic and your intentions are always good -- That is the foundation of anything great. If you start from there, you’re ultimately starting from a good place. Whether I’m writing a book, interviewing somebody, or taking a meeting -- I always try to make sure my intentions are good.
Coming from radio and seeing how the industry evolved — How important is it to look beyond trends and create a career that remains rooted in who you are?
Angie Martinez: It’s extremely important, because everything else comes and goes. At the end of the day, you have to live with yourself. The tide goes two ways — you’re hot at the moment, then you’re not. You’re on top one month, then you’re not. What do you want the long-term to be? What do you want that overall story of your life to be? I don’t want to be hot next month. I’m trying to be true to myself throughout my entire career. Sometimes, you’ll have a moment. You’ll have the big interview of the month, or your ratings will be through the roof for the month. That’s great, but you can’t bend who you are trying to chase that, because that only lasts a short amount of time.
Those who achieve longevity seem to develop a passion for growth beyond what others may see as being very "successful" -- What has given you the drive to continuously push yourself to do more?
Angie Martinez: I’m not afraid to work, and I know things take time. There are so many things I still want to do all the time, but exceptional things don’t happen right away. You want to make sure what you're doing is truthful, so things take time. To truly be great, you have to be ok with the fact that nothing great is going to happen instantly. Every now and then, something incredible can happens in 30 seconds, and it’s a weird kind of shock, but it’s still easier to be yourself. More importantly, it’s an easier life to lead. People may not appreciate it in the moment, but at least you’re giving something honest to people. I think if someone said I did something crazy, people would be quick to step in and say ‘no she didn’t’. I think people trust me enough and know my character, and I value that. So, I wouldn’t jump out the window, or go do something completely out of character. First, because I just wouldn’t do something ridiculous, but I’m also aware of what being true to myself means to the people around me, so I never want to compromise that.
After everything you've experience and accomplished since stepping into the game -- How has your definition of success evolved over time?
Angie Martinez: Every now and then, I ask myself that question. I always want to keep myself honest and make sure I’m on the right track. Everybody wants to be as financially stable as they can be, so that’s always cool. But, my energy is not driven by that. While I respect that, and also don’t want to worry about money, that's not what wakes me up. As long as you’re in love with what you’re doing, and feel like what you’re doing matters to other people, then you’re on the right track. It’s also a constant process, and I’m still figuring it out. That change is ok. You may feel like certain things fuel you now at this exact moment in your life, then three years from now, there’s something different that motivates you. We’re constantly evolving, so it’s important to keep yourself open as your truth evolves. When I was younger, I would’ve thought having a TV show meant I made it, but now I don’t feel like that. Now, I feel like I can use my voice in so many different ways, and TV is just one platform to do that. I want to tell more stories, and tell other people’s stories. I’m obsessed with documentaries, and have several documentary ideas, so we’ll see how that develops. I’m writing a lot, which is new to me, but there’s something about storytelling that is refreshingly fascinating to me. I’ve been helping artists tell their stories and be their platform -- now I’m in the position of being the storyteller. Although the approach and platform is different, the core stays the same — being authentic, honest and true to myself.
People can look at your career and see the legendary interviews and wins -- What have been some of the challenges you’ve faced that have shaped your career?
Angie Martinez: It’s been less about external roadblocks, and more internal. The challenge becomes how do I stay motivated, and how do I keep myself inspired all the time. Sometimes, you can be doing something you love and still experience moments when you don’t feel motivated. It has nothing to do with your passion for what you do. I’m a very motivated person, but every now and then I get into a routine, and I have to find something that motivates me. So, most of the challenges I face are self-inflicted challenges. That’s why I may switch up how we do interviews, or I may run a marathon, write a blog about something, or take on the challenge of writing a book. I’m constantly trying to make sure that I’m still driven to continue growing and pushing myself to do and become more.
You've always taken risks and stepped out of your comfort zone to try new things -- How important is betting on yourself regardless of the circumstance?
Angie Martinez: For me, I’ve developed a personal system. If I’m forcing something to feel right, I might step back and wait a minute. If it just feels right, then I'll go in all the way. If you just sit quiet, you know if it feels right, or is something you should do. Sometimes, I’ll get an answer right away. Other times, I have to just sit on it for a day, or a few days, and the answer eventually comes. The answer is usually inside of you, so you have to trust your gut. You also can’t be afraid to fail. I know people say that a lot, but it’s a real thing. When failure comes, you have to know it’s part of the process. You don’t curl up, or decide never to take a risk again. You don’t read the blogs, or believe what the critics say about you is right. You simply suck it up and say that was a failure, here’s what I’ll do next time, and keep it pushing. That is the key to taking chances. If you take 10 chances, 6 of them may not work for you, but at least those 4 you walk away with. When you take zero chances, you get nothing. Failing isn’t a probability, it’s going to happen. You can’t escape it. I explain to my son that Michael Jordan did not win every game, he actually lost many games. It’s a part of the process, and you have to embrace both sides to truly be great. It’s not about one win, or one loss — it’s about the entire journey. What you learned, how you carried yourself, and how you’ll be remembered is what matters. Those minor losses won’t matter at the end of the day.
Writing a memoir is a very personal process that I imagine was reflective for you -- What did you learn about yourself after writing the book?
Angie Martinez: Everybody should write their own memoir. Two or three times in your life, stop what you’re doing, and write your memoir. What happens is you start seeing your habits, your strengths, and the things that make you great. You see the moments where, even in failure, you learned a lesson. When you share that with other people, it makes you stronger. It equips you for the next phase of your life. I feel like I’ve just begun this next chapter or phase. I learned through writing my book that I enjoy having real connections with people, where their story relates to my story, and from that place we can inspire each other. I’ve also learned that I have something to offer people who are in the same space as I am, whether they’re journalists, aspiring artists, or people from our culture just starting their journey. I also learned from my book that I show up for opportunity. I can say that easily now, but when I first started writing the book, I didn’t even know that about myself. As I’m writing, I thought, wow, I really didn’t know how to run the boards the first time they asked me to run the boards, but I said yes. Or, the fact that I didn’t know how to write six bars when I first started making music, but I still put an album out. Through my whole career, I've had opportunities, felt drawn and connected to them, then just jumped in and went. Through telling my story, I realized that really works for me in life.
After years behind the mic in media and a successful memoir under your belt -- What is the next evolution of Angie Martinez?
Angie Martinez: There is something that felt very different with writing the book. It was a deeper connection I was having with people beyond being on the radio. There was such a genuine, authentic energy at the meet and greets and book signings. I’ve met thousands of people who’ve come to me with open hearts, wanting to share their story and talk to me about whatever piece in the book they connected to. It could be even the smallest things. I wrote about how sometimes my mom used to splurge so we could see things that we didn’t have, and believe the things we aspired to were attainable. I talked about her taking me to a nice restaurant every now and then, even though we couldn’t afford it, just so I could experience what that felt like. That particular part brought one young woman to tears, because it reminded her of the relationship she had with her mother. So, I realized that little pieces of my life had such a bigger meaning. Writing a memoir, you’re forced to go a little deeper and share more about your life. You can’t hold anything back, you have to be transparent about what you’ve went through and how you got here. That’s made me much more open about sharing myself, my experiences, and my point of view with the world, and helping to motivate people in a bigger way.
