ANGIE MARTINEZ Vinyl Records and CDs

Best known as a radio personality on New York's hugely popular HOT 97, Angie Martinez first flexed her rap muscles alongside KRS-One and Redman on the single "Heartbeat," and also collaborated with Lil' Kim for "Ladies Night" before releasing her compilation-style debut LP, Up Close And Personal, in 2001. Despite guest-spots from some of the biggest names in the business, the album didn't do very well, and many wondered if her fledgling emcee career was over. She proved all haters wrong the following year, releasing her second disc, Animal House, and finding a hit with the Noreaga-assisted single "We Can Get It On." Whether or not she'll win credibility as a legit microphone controller remains to be seen, but with connections like hers, it seems like a good bet.