Martha Wash

Martha’s voice has dominated the airwaves, and her charisma and spirit has embraced millions of people around the world. She is responsible for some of the top-selling, most recognizable pop hits of the 80’s and 90’s. “It’s Raining Men”, the cult pop classic, is still heard everywhere. “Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” was the highlight of C+C Music Factory’s career and sold over 5 1/2 millions copies worldwide. Black Box’s “Dreamland” featured four #1 Billboard Dance Singles and three Top 40 hits including “Strike It Up”, a single that continues to receive massive airplay and is still heard at every NFL and NBA game everywhere! All of the above have one common denominator, Martha Wash. She is the heart and soul of dance music. Her timelessness and renowned presence has been instrumental in shaping popular music as we hear it today.
The highlights of Martha’s career create a colorful history, telling the story of dance and pop music from the days of disco to the present. She has toured and performed with the world’s top entertainers. In addition, she was half of the magnificent duo Two Tons of Fun which evolved into the Weather Girls with the release of “It’s Raining Men”, a worldwide hit.
Her previous CD, “The Collection”, reintroduced the legendary hit, “It’s Raining Men”, with a new millennium-style featuring larger-than-life personality RuPaul. “Strike It Up” was also re-recorded especially for this album. “Sweat” (C+C Music Factory) was featured on this collection in it’s original form. All these hits were turning points in pop music, bringing an underground club flavor into the mainstream and enduring as classic radio favorites.
Martha began her musical career at the age of two in her parent’s church in her native San Francisco. She went on to study opera and tour Europe while still in high school. Martha become part of a contemporary gospel group called N.O.W. (News Of The World). This mix of classical and gospel training and experience accounts for her seemingly effortless transition from ballads to dance to pop music. Martha has also starred in major theatre productions (Andre Heller’s “Body & Soul” and David E. Talbert’s “Love on Lay-Away”), as well as recorded numerous jingles and movie soundtracks (“Kiss Me Guido”, “First Wives Club”, “MIghty Ducks” and “Gung Ho”). She has performed at the White House for former President Bill Clinton and Mrs. Clinton as well as international heads of state.
Martha joined forces with Jim Papoulis (composer) in his project called, “Sounds of a Better World, Small Voices Calling”. The CD is a unique series of songs, a hybrid of pop, orchestral, world beat and gospel. The project was inspired by the image of children confronting a world they did not create, facing a future they must shape and embrace. Martha had the privilege of performing the first single, “Listen To The People”, at Carnegie Hall.
Martha has done considerable charity work over the years especially in the area of HIV and AIDS prevention. She is requested on a regular basis to help raise funds for local and national organizations.
Her latest single, “You Lift Me Up”, is from her forthcoming Gospel CD. It’s her first recording in 4 years and on her own label Purple Rose Records. Produced by Michael Hearn and Maurice Johnson, it’s a strong, up-lifting, song with a message of hope and inspiration.
Martha is noted for her many voices. Those voices add up to one big-hearted Diva who truly practices what she preached in her early disco hit, “Earth Can Be Just Like Heaven”. Give a little, take a little, put a little back, we’re all brothers and sisters, and that’s a fact!