Angie Martinez

Angie Martinez (born Angela Martinez on January 9, 1971 in Brooklyn, New York) is a former hip-hop rapper from the early 2000s.

While growing up in Brooklyn, Angie was introduced to music from her mother (who worked as a program director at a jazz music radio station). She later discovered hip-hop music and worked at a radio station in Miami, Florida, answering phones.

After returning to New York, Angie began working at radio station Hot 97. Rapper KRS-One encouraged her to give rapping a chance and Angie’s impressive improvisational rapping skills led to her working with Redman on his single “Heart Beat” and she also got a chance to work with Mary J. Blige.

In 1997, Angie was featured on Lil’ Kim’s single “Not Tonight” (which also featured Da Brat, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes from TLC and Missy Elliott). The song peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was even nominated for a Grammy Award.

A year later, she was featured on Beenie Man’s single “Tell Me” which was a moderate hit on the R&B charts. Angie was featured on other artists’ songs such as Cuban Link & N.O.R.E. along with recording interludes for mixtapes by DJ Clue, Kid Capri and DJ Kayslay.

Angie even appeared in the music video for Jay-Z and R. Kelly’s song “Guilty Until Proven Innocent”. She would later sign with Elektra Records.
In 2000, Angie released her debut single “Mi Amor” featuring Jay-Z, which peaked at #51 on Billboard’s Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.
Her follow-up single “Dem Thangs” peaked at #24 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart and #80 on Billboard’s Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.
In April of 2001, Angie released her debut album “Up Close and Personal” which peaked at #32 on the Billboard 200 and #7 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
Her third single “Coast 2 Coast (Suavemente)” featuring Wyclef Jean didn’t appear to make the Billboard charts at all. One of the tracks from her debut album “Live at Jimmy’s” managed to peak at #22 on Billboard’s Latin Tropical\Salsa Airplay chart.

After the release of her debut album, Angie began working on her follow-up album and in order to build anticipation for it, she appeared on the BET Network’s show “Rap City” and began a nationwide radio tour.
In 2002, Angie released the lead single from her upcoming album “If I Could Go” featuring rapper Sacario and R&B singer Lil’ Mo.

The song peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100, #11 on Billboard’s Top 40 Mainstream chart, #11 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart, #12 on Billboard’s Top 40 Tracks chart and #26 on Billboard’s Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles chart, staying on the chart for 22 weeks. It became Angie’s highest chart appearance on the Hot 100 to date.
In August of that same year, Angie released her follow-up album “Animal House” which peaked at #11 on the Billboard 200 and #6 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The follow-up single “Take You Home” featuring R&B singer Kelis, peaked at #85 on the Billboard Hot 100, #19 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 chart and #62 on Billboard’s Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, staying on the chart for 17 weeks.

After the release of her sophomore album, Angie was featured on a remix for Lil’ Mo’s song “Gangsta” and Nina Sky’s hype single “Time to Go.” After that, she announced that she was retiring from the music recording business to focus on other projects.

During that same year, Angie was hired to judge the second season of “American Idol,” but quit after a couple days of auditions, citing discomfort with crushing the auditoners’ dreams. In June of 2003, she gave birth to a son, Niko, whose father is Tamir “Nokio” Ruffin from R&B group Dru Hill.

These days, Angie works as a radio personality on THE BEAT 103.5 and is known as “The Voice of NY”.

In 2015, she released a cooking book called “Healthy Latin Eating: Our Favorite Family Recipes Remixed” with Angelo Sosa. Angie is also planning on releasing a memoir due to be released in May of 2016.

To see a fan-made video for “Mi Amor,” go to:

To see the music video for “Dem Thangs,” go to:

To see the music video for “Coast 2 Coast (Suavemente),” go to:

To see the music video for “If I Could Go,” go to:

To see the music video for “Take You Home,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Live at Jimmy’s,” go to:

 

 

The Wiseguys

The Wiseguys were a British electronic\dance music band from London, England that consisted of deejays Touche (born Theo Keating) and Regal (born Paul Eve).

Touche and Regal met in college and were members of a hip-hop music act called Direct Current.
After leaving Direct Current in 1992, the duo released an EP called “Ladies Say Ow!” on the Blackmarket record label in 1994. After that, they were signed to the Wall of Sound record label.
In 1995, the Wiseguys released the double “A” side single “Nil by Mouth\Too Easy”. It’s unknown how or if the single ever charted at all.
A year later in 1996, the band released their debut album “Executive Suite” which received critical acclaim and is considered a cult classic to some fans.

In 1997, Regal left the band to pursue his career as the co-founder of the U.K.’s Bronx Dogs, leaving only Touche to work on the Wiseguys’ follow-up album.
In 1998, the Wiseguys released their sophomore album “The Antidote”.
The first single from the album “Ooh La La” originally peaked at #55 on the U.K. Singles chart, but by the next year, it peaked at #2 on the chart after it was used in a commercial for Budweiser beer.
The Wiseguys’ second single “Start the Commotion” became a hit for them, peaking at #47 on the U.K. Singles chart in 1999. A year later, the song peaked at #36 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play Singles chart.

In 2001, after the song was featured in a commercial for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States, it received airplay on the radio and it managed to peak at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100, #14 on Billboard’s Adult Top 40 chart, #18 on Billboard’s Top 40 Tracks chart & #11 on Billboard’s Top 40 Mainstream chart, making it their highest charting (and only) appearance on the Hot 100.

“Start the Commotion” was featured in films such as “Zoolander” and “Kangaroo Jack.” It was also featured on the Disney Channel television series “Lizzie McGuire” and appeared on the show’s soundtrack.

The success of the song helped “The Antidote” album peak at #133 on the Billboard 200, #2 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart and #3 on Billboard’s Top Electronic albums chart.

During that same year, the Wiseguys disbanded. DJ Touche went on to pursue a solo career. These days, he’s still active in the music business as a DJ and producer & now goes under the name Fake Blood.

As for DJ Regal, he appears to still be active in the music business as well along with working as a bookkeeper and duty manager in the United Kingdom.

To see the music video for “Ooh La La,” go to:

To see the music video for “Start the Commotion,” go to:

Mocha

Mocha (born Aleesha J. Rivers) was a female hip-hop rapper from the late ’90s\early 2000s.

Her vocals have been featured on various artists’ tracks such as Missy Elliott, Nicole Wray, MC Lyte and Timbaland.
In 2000, Mocha released her first single “Runnin’ S***” which was produced by Timbaland. It’s unknown how or if the song made the charts at all.

The song was supposed to be featured on Mocha’s debut album “Bella Mafia” (produced by Timbaland and Missy Elliott), but according to research, the album was never released.

Also according to research, Mocha also released a digital album called “One Day at a Time” in 2007, but not much information is known about it.

These days, Mocha resides in Richmond, Virginia where she is a mother and owns her own bakery business.

To see a fan-made video for “Runnin’ S***,” go to:

52nd Street

52nd Street were a British R&B\jazz-funk band from Manchester, England. The original line-up consisted of guitarist Tony Henry, bassist Derrick Johnson, keyboardist Desmond Isaacs, drummer Tony Thompson and singer Jennifer McCloud.

But within six months, singer Rose Williams and saxophonist Eric Godden came & left the band before the line-up finally consisted of keyboardist John Dennison (who replaced Desmond Isaacs) and singer Beverley McDonald (who replaced Jennifer McCloud).

52nd Street played gigs around Manchester while also recording demo tapes in local studios. Local funk DJ Mike Shaft became the band’s mentor and played their demos on his Piccadilly Radio shows.

In mid-1981, soul DJ Richard Searling and ex-Sad Cafe manager Derek Brandwood put the band in Revolution Studios to record their debut single. While the band recorded demos for MCA Records, they were also put into Strawberry Studios to record trcks for Warner Bros. Records A&R scout\club promotions manager, Erksine Thompson.

With both major labels increasing the pressure to talk to 52nd Street (who didn’t have a manager yet), Derrick Johnson contacted ex-DJ Rob Gretton (who was the co-owner of Factory Records) and Rob went to see the band play at a jazz venue in Manchester called The Band on the Wall. Soon after that, Rob and his partner, Tony Wilson added 52nd Street to their roster.
In 1982, 52nd Street released their first single on Factory Records called “Look Into My Eyes”. Although the single received approval from journalist Paul Morley (who made it his “single of the week”), it didn’t get a lot of attention.

Near the end of 1982, the band began experimenting with electronic sounds & drum machines after being influenced by productions from New York City’s hip-hop community and Bill Laswell’s work with jazz keyboardist Herbie Hancock.
In 1983, 52nd Street released a new single called “Cool as Ice”. The song wasn’t released in the UK even though BBC Radio 1 DJs John Peel and Janice Long played the track from white label pressings made available by Factory Records.

Bootlegs of the song started popping up in the United States and after Michael Shamberg (who was the head of Factory Records’ office in New York City) stepped in, the band was signed to a major U.S. record deal with A&M Records.

The song peaked at #29 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play Singles chart (along with the song “Twice as Nice”). A&M Records flew 52nd Street to the United States to promote the song and they played live club dates mainly on the east side of the country.

After the success of “Cool as Ice”, A&M Records demanded a new follow-up single. 52nd Street started becoming restless and started to implode. Major record labels (including A&M Records in the United Kingdom) were starting to show interest, but certain band members felt loyal to Factory Records.

There were discussions that lead to Tony Wilson’s ex-wife, Lindsay Reade becoming 52nd Street’s manager. Once she became their manager, Lindsay put together a strategy to hasten productivity. Later on, Beverely McDonald left the band and was replaced by singer Diane Charlemagne.
For the band’s third single “Can’t Afford,” New Order’s Stephen Morris was called into help produce the song and he also worked on two other tracks “Look I’ve Heard It All Before” & “Available” which were supposed to appear on a later EP. Both songs were later re-recorded and released on their debut album.

After eleven months without a follow-up single, the band became impatient with the unprofessionalism of Factory Records and Lindsay mailed copies of the new single to A&M US, but it was rejected, which left the band to negotiate with other interested parties.

After Profile Records heard “Can’t Afford” on constant rotation in New York nightclubs, Lindsay negotiated with them to release the single on their label. The song peaked at #16 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play Singles chart in 1985.

Lindsay Reade’s business dealings caused tensions with not only Tony Wilson & Rob Gretton, but Michael Shamberg as well and the band ended up being caught in the middle of it. In December of 1984, a Factory Records management meeting took place at which Lindsay was fired and told to leave the offices without 52nd Street.

If that wasn’t enough, loyalties within the band were also being tested; Derrick Johnson worked for Factory Records and was a session guitarist in music act Quando Quango with his brother, Barry. In January of 1985, the band & Lindsay Reade left Factory Records, but Derrick ended up staying behind.
During that same year, 52nd Street released their debut album “Children of the Night” which peaked at #71 on the U.K. Albums chart and #23 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
Their song “Tell Me (How It Feels)” peaked at #14 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play & Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #8 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart (staying on the chart for 14 weeks) in 1986. It also peaked at #54 on the U.K. Singles chart.
Another single “You’re My Last Chance” peaked at #49 on the U.K. Singles chart and #67 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart (staying on the chart for only 5 weeks).
The last single from the album “I Can’t Let You Go” peaked at #57 on the U.K. Singles chart.
In 1987, 52nd Street released their last album “Something’s Going On” which didn’t appear to make a lot of impact on the charts, failing to chart at all on the U.K. Albums chart.
The single “I’ll Return” peaked at #79 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks.
The follow-up single from the album “Are You Receiving Me?” failed to make any impact on the charts.
In 1988, 52nd Street released their last single “Say You Will” which didn’t make a lot of impact on the charts.

In 1990, the band re-emerged in the music scene under the name “Cool Down Zone”. They released an album and two singles before disbanding in 1993.

Diane Charlemagne was the lead singer of music act Urban Cookie Collective and provided vocals for various artists including Moby. In October of 2015, she passed away from kidney cancer at the age of 51.

Former vocalist Beverley McDonald sang with Quando Quango. It’s unknown what she’s up to these days.

Derek Johnson worked with artists such as Swing Out Sister and the Flamingos. John Dennison worked with artists such as Blondie, East 17, Juliet Roberts and Rozalla. It’s unknown if they’re still active in the music business.

After 52nd Street broke up, Tony Henry formed music duo FR’ Mystery in 1991 along with artist Lorna Bailey.

Tony Bowry went on to be a session artist and worked with artists such as Steps, Michelle Amador and Melanie Williams. Tony Thompson provided vocals for music act The Clint Boon Experience.

To see a fan-made video for “Look Into My Eyes,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Cool as Ice,” go to:

To see the music video for “Can’t Afford,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Tell Me (How It Feels),” go to:

To see the music video for “You’re My Last Chance,” go to:

To see the music video for “I Can’t Let You Go,” go to:

To see the music video for “I’ll Return,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Are You Receiving Me?,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Say You Will,” go to:

Gayle Samuels

Gayle Samuels was an R&B\dance singer from the ’80s. Not much information is given about her, but she was signed to Profile Records.

In 1984, she released her only single “Got to Let You Go.” It’s unknown how or if the single made the charts at all.

After that, it seems as if Gayle has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from her these days.

To see a fan-made video for “Got to Let You Go,” go to:

Kinkina

Kinkina was a dance music act from the early ’80s. Not much information is given about it, but Kinkina was signed to Profile Records.

In 1982, Kinkina released the single “Jungle Fever.” It’s unknown how or if the single made the charts at all.

After that, it seems as if Kinkina faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been from this music act since the ’80s.

To see a fan-made video for “Jungle Fever,” go to:

Marshall Jones

Marshall Jones was a freestyle\dance singer from the ’80s. Not much information is given about him, but he was signed to Profile Records.
In 1988, he released his debut single “I Burn.” It’s unknown how or if the single made the charts at all.
A year later, Marshall released his follow-up single “Slave to Love” which also didn’t appear to make any music charts at all.

After that, it seems as if Marshall has faded into obscurity. It’s unknown what he’s up to these days.

To see a fan-made video for “I Burn,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for a remixed version of “Slave to Love,” go to:

Kenny Brown

Kenny Brown was a freestyle\dance artist from the late ’80s. Not much information is given about him, but he was signed to Bass Station Records.

In 1987, he released his only single “Why Did You Do This To Me?” It’s unknown how or if the single made any music charts at all.

After that, it seems as if Kenny has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from him since.

To see a fan-made video for “Why Did You Do This To Me?”, go to:

Billy Hands

Billy Hands was a hip-hop\dance artist from the late ’80s. Not much information is given about him, but he was signed to Bass Station Records.

In 1987, Billy released his only single “Doin’ It, Doin’ It.” It’s unknown how or if the single made the charts at all.

After that, it seems as if Billy Hands has faded into obscurity. It’s unknown what he’s up to these days.

To see a fan-made video for “Doin’ It, Doin’ It,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdiaEuG82kI

Gorgious and Essence ‎

Gorigous and Essence were a female hip-hop music duo that consisted of Ann Lissette Gray and Rose Dailey. Not much information is given about them, but they were signed to Lady T’s Records.

In 1987, they released ther only single “I Know What Boys Like.” It’s unknown how or if the single ever made the charts.

After that, it seems as if Gorgious and Essence have faded into obscurity. It’s unknown what they’re up to these days.

To see a fan-made video for “I Know What Boys Like,” go to: