I remember 2002 like it was yesterday. It was a great/horrible year rolled up into one. I started a wonderful journey through life with my husband Latif Mercado. He’s been my rock, my soulmate, my bestfriend and my knight in shining armour. He has always encouraged me to pursue my dreams, and always helped me to reach my goals. He’s always been an honest and trustworthy person, so when I hear people spread lies and slander and gossip about him, and never call him and confront him, it makes me question their integrity. The truth is all he has ever done is help out a few of the artist who were being shut out and blacklisted, just like they tried to do to me. Latif never had an enemy in the freestyle world until he defended me. He knew it was unfair when past management put three girls on stage to sing and perform the songs I recorded and made famous. Then claimed to own the name to stop me from performing. He was there when I would turn on the radio and hear commercials with my song and voice and someone else would be performing, it would make me sad. Sometimes I think that’s why he started laradiolive.com so I could listen to freestyle music without the bullshit,lol. I remember when people who knew nothing about me but (were down with past management) were bashing me on the internet, Latif defended me. I hate that looking out for me and artist like myself makes him enemies he doesn’t deserve. I remember the most insane thing was when people I knew for over 20 years looked me in the face and said “It’s just Business” Oh shit,,??.. that was crazy!!! At that point I knew I had two choices;
1.) I could start crying and screaming and bitching and moaning and sending around letters (like some people) OR
2.) I could “man the fuck up” and do the shows I was booked for and sign autographs and be happy and grateful I’m still able to connect with so many of my loyal fans.
Love&Blessings
Angel OCG