Earlier this summer, Trinidadian-American singer and songwriter Angela Hunte released her first full-length album since 2017’s R.A.W. titled MANGO, composed of 12 songs with various Caribbean stars like Tarrus Riley, Wyclef Jean and Fay-Ann Lyons. Hunte, who embraces the “genre-less” label, adorned the album with sounds ranging from reggae and R&B to Afrobeats and even gospel.
Born in Trinidad and raised in New York, Hunte first gained prominence as a songwriter and vocalist in the early 2000s. Hunte co-wrote the hit song “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys, which received widespread acclaim and even won her a Grammy Award. Her songwriting credits also include work with other notable artists, like Brittney Spears on “Do Somethin’” and “Torn Apart” by Snoop Dogg and Rita Ora.
But Hunte is now boasting her own music, showcasing her songwriting and singing ability in an album that really expresses herself. MANGO, initially slated for a 2022 release but delayed by Hunte’s health struggles and heart surgery, showcases her renewed energy and personal transformation. The title track, featuring Wyclef Jean, and the third track, “Wantie,” have already struck a chord with fans who, according to comments on Hunte’s instagram promos “can’t stop streaming.”
What is next for Hunte is unclear, but for right now she’s savoring the (literal) fruit of her labor.
