Andrea Martin, singer-songwriter behind En Vogue and Monica hits, dead at 49
Andrea Martin, the singer-songwriter from Brooklyn whose collaborations with some of R&B’s biggest names soared up the music charts, died Monday, according to an announcement on her Instagram page.
She was 49.
“Andrea will always be remembered for her passion and dedication to her family and friends,” read Monday night’s announcement. “Her impact will continue to be felt and heard for a lifetime.”
A cause of death has not been released.
Martin was a writer on popular 1990s songs including En Vogue’s “Don’t Let Go (Love),” Monica’s “Before You Walk out of My Life” and SWV’s “You’re the One,” which all claimed the top spot on Billboard’s R&B chart.
Each of those hits also reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with “Don’t Let Go (Love)” rising all the way to No. 2.
After establishing herself as a songwriter, Martin came out with her debut album as a singer, “The Best of Me,” in 1998.
“I’d go into these recording companies and I’d say, ‘Here’s five songs and, by the way, did I tell you I want to be an artist?” Martin told the Daily News in 1999.
“And they’d be like, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah — you want to be an artist. But we need the song for our artist.’ "
Martin also earned writing credits for Tony Braxton’s “I Love Me Some Him,” Leona Lewis’ “Better in Time” and Jennifer Hudson’s “I Still Love You.”
Her death was mourned by many of the artists she worked with.
“‘Before You Walk Out Of My Life’ has always had a special place in my heart,” Monica tweeted. “Now it has a deeper meaning for the incredibly talented songwriter. Rest well Andrea Martin. We love you always.”
Lewis, meanwhile, wrote on Instagram that she is “deeply saddened that such a light has been lost.”
“Andrea was truly a musical force & wrote some of my favorite songs that touched the core of my soul,” Lewis wrote. “Thank you for sharing your music with me and the world angel. Thank you for giving me the gift of Better in time. Rest in love.”
Ivan Mattias, a longtime friend and writing partner of Martin, remembered her as “a blessing to everyone around her.”
“We are all special in some way, but Andrea Martin was extraordinarily special,” Mattias wrote on Instagram. “Her spirit was infused into each lyric & melody she blessed us with. Our connection was a divine union.”
