A community is mourning after Albuquerque Hip Hop luminary Andrew “Wake Self” Martinez was struck by a drunk driver in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Sunday night (November 3). Although he was rushed to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, doctors were unable to save his life.
The Martinez family made the announcement on Tuesday morning (November 5), revealing he’d passed at 2:48 a.m. local time. The Albuquerque Journal confirmed Martinez died at University of New Mexico Hospital.
The driven MC was just getting ready for his Ready To Live album release party on Thursday (November 7) at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe.
Nearly a week ago, Martinez shared his last Instagram post, being his usual reflective self and recalling how he almost died at six months old. The caption speaks volumes on his character.
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“My family lived in government housing,” he explained. We had no carpet just a dirt floor, and the water quality was bad. Drinking the water got me really sick as an infant. I had to stay in Intensive care for months without going home to my family. When my mom tells me this story she says they weren’t sure I was going to make it, but when things were looking their worst a miracle happened and one of the doctors found a treatment that saved my life.
“When my mother 1st told me all of this, it made me believe in miracles. Later I learned that we are all miracles. We have this precious opportunity called life! Everyday i wake up and give gratitude for this blessing to be alive. I pray a miracle happens to you and changes the way you think and see the world. You gon make it.”
Last month, Martinez revealed he’d completed his album and was looking forward to sharing it with the rest of the world.
“IT’S FINALLY HAPPENING,” he captioned the Instagram video.
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According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, 24-year-old Diego Alejandro Pichardo of Santa Fe faces four charges related to the incident, including aggravated DUI as well as driving with a license revoked.
Doctors told police Martinez, who was driving a silver Ford sedan, had “a very serious pulmonary contusion,” a smashed pelvis and a head injury. He also had lung injuries, multiple fractures on the right side of his ribs, a left wrist fracture, and fractures on his left and right femurs.
The passenger in Martinez’s vehicle, Kevin Allende, is reportedly still alive but in surgery.
Martinez had collaborated and/or performed with a laundry list of notable artists, including Gift Of Gab, Souls Of Mischief and Masta Ace. He often traveled the world with his longtime partner-in-rhyme Def-i and continually spread messages of positivity, hope and love.
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The condolences are pouring in on social media from peers, friends and fans alike, including Masta Ace, Zumbi of Zion I, Freestyle Fellowship’s Myka 9 and Crown City Rockers’ Raashan Ahmad.
