| Up Close and Personal | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 17, 2001 | |||
| Length | 62:23 | |||
| Label | Elektra | |||
| Producer |
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| Angie Martinez chronology | ||||
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Up Close and Personal is the debut studio album by American rapper Angie Martinez. It was released by Elektra Records on April 17, 2001 in the United States. The album includes the singles "Dem Thangz" and "Coast 2 Coast (Suavemente)".
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Blender | [2] |
| Los Angeles Times | [3] |
| RapReviews | 7.5/10 [4] |
| XXL | M (2/5) [5] |
AllMusic editor Kerry L. Smith found that "Martinez stands her ground when rapping alongside mega-rap stars like these on her debut album, Up Close and Personal [...] Martinez shines on tracks like "Gutter to tha Fancy Ish," on which she flaunts her quick-tongued rap technique and a tough-girl attitude while alternating verses with none other than Busta Rhymes [...] On her first time around, Martinez has delivered a well-rounded album that features solid raps, Latin grooves, and a few lighter, melodic tunes." [1] Blender critic Neil Drumming found that "Martinez’s debut is anything but intimate [...] In the end, the self-proclaimed "Voice of New York" is almost drowned out by more talented guests Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg and Mary J. Blige. It doesn’t help that Martinez is a stiff and inexperienced rapper. Striving for Jay-Z–style cool, she achieves only dispassionate blandness. Martinez clearly makes a better radio personality than a performer. On the radio, at least, she has a personality." [2]
| No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Heart and Soul" (Interlude) | 0:27 | |
| 2. | "New York, New York" (featuring Prodigy & DJ Clue) |
| 4:12 |
| 3. | "Every Little Girl" (featuring The Product G&B) |
| 4:30 |
| 4. | "Coast 2 Coast (Suavemente)" (featuring Wyclef Jean) | 3:26 | |
| 5. | "Ladies & Gents" (featuring Snoop Dogg) |
| 4:19 |
| 6. | "Gutter 2 the Fancy Shit" (featuring Busta Rhymes) | Knobody | 1:56 |
| 7. | "Back from Cuba" (Interlude) | 0:28 | |
| 8. | "Live at Jimmy's" (featuring Big Pun, Cuban Link, Domingo & Sunkiss) |
| 5:36 |
| 9. | "Silly Niggaz" (Interlude) (featuring Uneek) | 2:16 | |
| 10. | "No Playaz" (featuring Lil' Mo & Tony Sunshine) |
| 4:19 |
| 11. | "Breathe" (featuring Mary J. Blige & La India) |
| 3:32 |
| 12. | "Live from the Streets" (featuring Jadakiss, Styles P, Beanie Sigel, Brett & Kool G Rap) | Knobody | 1:07 |
| 13. | "Go!! (Muthafucka)" |
| 4:19 |
| 14. | "Thug Love" (featuring Fat Joe & Layzie Bone) |
| 3:45 |
| 15. | "Mi Amor" (featuring Jay-Z) | Rockwilder | 2:57 |
| 16. | "Ladies Fight" (Interlude) (featuring Cocoa Chanelle & DJ Jazzy Joyce) | 0:59 | |
| 17. | "Dem Thangz" (featuring Pharrell & Q-Tip) |
| 4:17 |
| 18. | "Coast 2 Coast" (Suavemente Remix) (featuring Wyclef Jean) | 8:12 |
Notes
Sample credits
| Chart (2001) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 [6] | 32 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [7] | 7 |
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