Introduction
Angela Hunte-Wisner, known by the stage name Angela Hunte, is an American-Trinidadian singer-songwriter, and producer. She is best known for being a contributing writer for Empire State of Mind, with Alicia Keys and Jay Z, a song which won her a Grammy. She has collaborated with several international acts and is currently working on her debut album, citing influences from such artists as Phil Collins, Shirley Bassey, Sting, David Bowie, Machel Montano and Sparrow, a Trinidadian Calypsonian.
She is also a former member of the 1990s girl group 7669.
Personal life
Hunte was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Barataria, Trinidad and Tobago where her family originated. She was the only child of her parents to be born in the United States. Shortly after her birth, the family returned to Trinidad and Tobago where she was raised.
In the early 90s, Hunte was part of the short-lived Motown Records quartet 7669. They released one studio album - 1993's 7669 East from a Bad Block.
She is married to Sound Engineer/Mix Engineer and Grammy Award winner James Wisner and has two children, King Zion Wisner, and Brooklyn Rose Wisner.
Career
Early work
Hunte began working as a writer, starting with Rap hooks and vocals. Later she began collaborating with Salaam Remi, a producer, who mentored her and developed her talents as a Singer-songwriter.
She then became an exclusive writer with EMI Management, attached to Europe, a contract that was brought to fruition by Salaam Remi. After a stint writing in Europe and London specifically, she returned to New York and began working on several international collaborations across several genres of music.
Notable collaborations
During her tenure Hunte has written for and or performed with the following:
- Empire State of Mind, Jay Z feat Alicia Keys
- I Need Air, Magnetic Man feat Angela Hunte
- Do Somethin', Britney Spears
- I Can", Nas feat Angela Hunte
- Heartbreaker and Show Stopper, Danity Kane
- Bang Bang, Melanie Fiona
- 'Hold Up, P Diddy feat Angela Hunte
- Tip Pon Toe, Rihanna
- 'Bboy, Mutya Buena feat Amy Winehouse
- True Confessions, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes feat Angela Hunte
- Feels Good, David Morales feat Angela Hunte
- Here Comes the King, Snoop Lion feat Angela Hunte
- Ashtrays and Heartbreaks, Snoop Lion feat Miley Cyrus
- Torn Apart, Snoop Lion feat Rita Ora
- No Guns Allowed, Snoop Lion feat Drake
- Smoke the Weed, Snoop Lion feat Collie Buddz
- Remedy, Snoop Lion feat Chris Brown and Busta Rhymes
- No Regrets, Snoop Lion feat TI and Amber
- So Long, Snoop Lion feat Angela Hunte
- Get Away, Snoop Lion feat Angela Hunte and Elan Atias
- Vixen, Gyptian feat Angela Hunte
- Be Alright, Gyptian
- Sex, Love and Reggae, Gyptian feat Angela Hunte and Bunji Garlin
- Good Girls, Gyptian
- Soundboy Kill It, Raekwon feat Melanie Fiona and Assassin
- Call of Duty, Raekwon feat Akon
- Do it Again and Do What I Love, Melissa Ethridge
- One Shot, Angela Hunte
- Party Done!, Angela Hunte & Machel Montano
- One Bright Day, Slightly Stoopid feat Angela Hunte
- Mona June, Slightly Stoopid Feat Angela Hunte
- Like So, Machel Montano feat. Angela Hunte
- Citrus Skies, Tunnel Vision feat. Angela Hunte
Awards and nominations
Empire State of Mind, by Jay Z featuring Alicia Keys, was co-written by Angela Hunte. In 2010 it was nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Grammy Award for Record of the Year and winning Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Studio album
- 7669 East from a Bad Block(Motown, 1993)