Angie Martinez Leaves Hot 97/YouTube To Delete Unsigned Artists

After nearly 27 years Angie Martinez announced she’s leaving ‘Hot 97'. YouTube adding subscription service and leaving unsigned artists nowhere to go.

(Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images)

After nearly 27 years former rapper, radio personality/actress Angie Martinez announced she’s was leaving ‘Hot 97'. Known as “The Voice of New York, Angie Martinez is joining Power 105.1 in New York and 103.5 The Beat in Miami.

For two decades Martinez rocked the mic at Hot 97 and now the radio veteran’s joining the competition. She’ll be hosting afternoons on both, Power and The Beat, not to mention joining The Breakfast Club with Angela Yee, Charlamagne Tha God & DJ Envy.

This is a huge move for the DJ vet and she kept it simple when asked about the move in a recent statement. For that, listen to Tha Wire below.

According to reports, YouTube is on the verge of completely deleting content from some independent artists. In the coming days they’ll add a subscription service reportedly named YouTube Music Pass. Word has it the new service will allow users to avoid ads and download music directly from the site.

“Music Pass” has led to new licensing deals with major labels and 90% of the industry, but indie labels are reportedly being offered “highly unfavorable” terms as compared to the big companies.

Find out what some independent artist had to say about the big change and what they plan to do about it. Listen for more details with Tha Wire.

Google, which owns YouTube ain’t trying to hear that and according to reports, is threatening to omit independent artists from their new YouTube service and delete their videos from the free site as well. The only good thing is, videos by independent artists on Vevo should stay active, but only because the site has a separate licensing agreement.

Vice President and Global Head of Business at YouTube Robert Kyncl said, “While we wish that we had 100% success rate, we understand that is not likely an achievable goal and therefore it is our responsibility to our users and the industry to launch the enhanced music experience.” Problem is, this could have an catastrfic effect on the success of unsigned artists.

Forbes‘ Hugh McIntyre said this move by YouTube is not good for independent artists:

Perhaps more important is the fact that many up-and-coming artists may have a harder time sharing their music and videos… Barring lesser-known names from the most popular streaming site in the world could seriously damage the growth of independent artists, and hurt the careers of future stars.

Listen to Tha Wire now for more details on all of the above stories.