Angela Hunte: The Real Story Behind “Empire State of Mind,” “Party Done” & Learning to Walk Again

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Angela Hunte helped write an anthem the world knows. Behind the music is a story of rejection, recognition, motherhood—and a health crisis that changed everything.

In this episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, Angela shares the unexpected journey behind “Empire State of Mind”: writing it while homesick in London, its initial rejection, Lady Gaga’s interest, and why she believed Alicia Keys should sing the hook instead of her.

From growing up between Brooklyn and Trinidad to finding her place in the music industry, Angela takes us inside a career spent creating songs across genres, often away from the spotlight.

She shares the stories behind “Party Done” with Machel Montano and “Mon Bon Ami,” the encouragement she received from Kes when she considered stepping away from music, and the reality of balancing performing with a newborn at home.

In one of the conversation’s most personal moments, Angela opens up about major heart surgery, learning to walk and talk again, and finding renewed purpose through music, television and film.

In this conversation:
• Growing up between Brooklyn and Trinidad
• Ghostwriting, recognition and the business of songwriting
• Machel Montano, “Party Done” and motherhood
• Creating “Mon Bon Ami” in one take
• Kes and finding the motivation to keep making music
• The story behind “Empire State of Mind”
• Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Kanye West and Lady Gaga
• Heart surgery, recovery, faith and starting again
• Building a future in television and film

Subscribe to The Corie Sheppard Podcast, share this conversation, and tell us which part stayed with you.

#AngelaHunte #EmpireStateOfMind #TheCorieSheppardPodcast

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