Radio personality Angela Yee may no longer be a member of the syndicated radio show “The Breakfast Club,” but that does not mean she is not still rattling the airwaves and finding success. Recently, Yee launched her own radio show, “All the Way Up,” with iHeartRadio. She also is juggling several business ventures.
“Every year I try to invest in something different,” Yee said during a recent interview on “The Tamron Hall Show.”
Yee is a native of Brooklyn, New York. After attending Wesleyan University, Yee began working for Wu-Tang Management. She was even featured in the video for Wu-Tang Clan’s song “Reunited,” and wrote all of the skits for GZA’s album “Beneath the Surface.”
While working in the marketing department for Eminem’s Shady Limited, Yee took a chance that would change her life: She applied for a radio host position with Shade 45 on Sirius Satellite Radio. On Sirius, Yee hosted “Lip Service,” “The Morning After with Angela Yee” and “The Cipha Sounds Effect.” In 2010, Yee became a co-host on “The Breakfast Club” with DJ Envy and Charlamagne da God. For 12 years, Yee was a staple on the show while also hosting her podcast, “Lip Service.” In addition to her work as a radio personality, Yee invests in real estate and runs other ventures. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Yee has a value of $7 million.
Real Estate Investments
In the interview with Hall, Yee shared that she purchased her first investment apartment after watching her roommate purchase a home. Yee bought a two-family home that she used as a rental property.
Yes has spoken about her real estate holdings in other interviews, once saying she decided on renting out the project from the beginning, and used the income as her emergency fund. “I did that intentionally,” she said. “I was like ‘God forbid I get fired from my job.’ I wanted other income coming in.”
Since then, Yee has invested in an AirBnB as well as a multi-unit property in Detroit.
Other Entrepreneurial Ventures
In addition to investing in real estate, Yee has launched several business ventures in Brooklyn, promoting health and wellness. One business, Private Label, is a hair extensions company.
Yee also co-owns the juice shop Drink Fresh Juice and the coffee shop Coffee Uplifts People with her partner Tony Forte.
“For the coffee shop I own, the goal is to make it into a franchise. I would love to help my employees open their own franchises,” Yee said on the “Earn Your Leisure” podcast. Being a Black-owned business is not a competition. I visit other Black-owned coffee shops and juice bars, take photos and share them on social media. There’s space for all of us to be successful.”
Growing Professionally, Expanding Her Horizons
Throughout Yee’s tenure on The Breakfast Club, she has learned the power of negotiation and advocating for a desired salary.
When Yee first signed on to the morning show in 2010, her contract was for two years with a third-year option. When iHeart Radio sent a new contract, it was an extension for another three years yet with no pay raise.
Yee had an attorney review the contract thoroughly and refused to sign until she was comfortable with the terms.
By August of 2022 when Yee announced that she was leaving The Breakfast Club to launch her own syndicated show, she was earning an estimated $3 million. Yet even with a comfortable salary and notoriety, Yee knew it was time for a change.
“My contract had been up in December, and I was already trying to figure out I am staying here or going somewhere else,” Yee said in an interview with Tamron Hall. “I wanted to keep my options open.”
After months of negotiation, Yee landed a deal with iHeart Radio that made her the first African-American woman to host a syndicated radio show.
“People should want you to elevate,” she said. You should never think you’re going to be somewhere forever.”
