SAD NEWS: Andrea Martin, the singer-songwriter who wrote songs for artists such as Monica and En Vogue, has died. She was 49. Martin's death was announced in a statement shared to her Instagram Story on Monday. "Dear Family and Friends, it is with a heavy heart we inform you of the passing of our beautiful Andrea Martin also known as 'Annie,' " the statement read. "Andrea will always be remembered for her passion and dedication to her family and friends. Her impact will continue to be felt and heard for a lifetime." "We thank you in advance for your condolences, love, compassion and understanding during this time," the message continued. "Please limit calls as we are trying to finalize arrangements at this time, Once finalized, we will be sure to post arrangements. "Forever a legend. April 14 - September 27," the post concluded. Martin landed her first hit writing credit for Monica in 1995 when the singer picked up an unused track originally written for Toni Braxton. “Before You Walk Out of My Life” spent two weeks atop Billboard’s R&B chart. The following year, Martin was behind SWV‘s “You’re The One,” which sold more than 900,000 copies and spent a week at No. 1 on the R&B chart. And in 1997, Martin earned her biggest with En Vogue’s “Don’t Let Go,” an iconic anthem that went platinum and spent time at No.1 on the R&B chart and peaked at No.2 on the Hot 100. It would be more than a decade until Martin earned another stud on the R&B chart, but her work on Angie Stone’s “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” made a mark on the Club chart in 2002. It would be several more years until Martin helmed another chart-topper, returning to No. 1 on the r&b chart with Melanie Fiona’s “It Kills Me” in 2009. Along the way, Martin worked with Blu Cantrell, Sean Kingston, Nelly, Leela James, Toni Braxton, and Jennifer Hudson, as recently as 2014. Up Your Geek extends its condolences to Martin’s family, friends, colleagues, and fans. #peaceinparadise #rip #ripandreamartin #andreamartin #singer #songwriter https://www.instagram.com/p/CUZ-7MXLKkL/?utm_medium=tumblr
