Lifestyle

Angela Hunte’s Empire State Of Mind

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO – Did you know that “Empire State of Mind,” released in 2009 and performed by legendary rapper Jay-Z and vocalist Alicia Keys, was co-written by a songwriter from Trinidad and Tobago?

Published

6 hours ago

October 18, 2026

Denielle Miller

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO – “Empire State of Mind,” released in 2009 and performed by legendary rapper Jay-Z and vocalist Alicia Keys, stands as a contemporary and iconic celebration of New York City.

The track has garnered significant recognition, including two Grammy award wins and a 5x multi-platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.

But did you know the ballad was co-written by a songwriter from Trinidad and Tobago?

Angela was born in New York City and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, dividing her time between the United States and T&T.

Having entered the entertainment industry over three decades ago, Angela has cultivated an impressive professional portfolio that encompasses songwriting contributions for notable artists including Nas, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Melanie Fiona, Machel Montano, and numerous others.

Recently, she was honored at this year’s Caribbean Music Awards and performed at the Stars and Steel Pan event in T&T.

Following her performance, we engaged in an intimate conversation during which she discussed the sacrifices required to achieve what many would regard as extraordinary professional success, disclosing that she experienced homelessness at a particular juncture in her career.

“I would be in the studio and in the back of the dressing room it would be like food people left food and I would just take the food put it in the bottom of my bag and take a towel and then get back on the train and ride the train all night.”

However, according to Angela, this did not bother her, as her aspirations exceeded her any sense of shame.

“I didn’t feel bad riding those trains, I didn’t feel bad being homeless. Because I knew that I was going to make it I knew that what I was doing was so different and it was special that I just had to be patient.”

That tunnel vision has LED to multiple accolades, global tours and a story that inspires.

“I could not care who did not believe in me. I knew I believed in myself and if I believed in myself then the person who is suppose to believe in me will come tight and my mom was telling me over and over like every no you’re just talking to the wrong person. “