Born in New York and raised in Añasco, Puerto Rico, Martha Ivelisse Pesante, better known as Ivy Queen, burst onto the music scene in the 1980s with the group The Noise, where she wrote and performed her first song, "Somos Raperos Pero No Delincuentes.” Following successful performances across Latin America, Ivy Queen left the group to debut as a solo artist, and released her first album, En Mi Imperio, in 1997. The following year, with the support of Wyclef Jean, she released The Original Rude Girl. Her third album, Diva (2003), was a major success, selling over one million copies and achieving platinum status. In 2004, she released the platinum edition of Diva and her fourth album, Real, which achieved great success with eight reprints.

In 2005, she released Flashback, known as E5 in the United States and Reggaeton Queen in Japan. In 2006, Ivy collaborated with Gran Omar on the reggaetón compilation album Cosa Nostra: Hip-Hop. In 2007, she launched Sentimiento, which reached number four on the Billboard Latin chart. Hits like "Que Lloren," which reached the top 10, and "En Que Fallamos," which charted prominently, were featured on this album. Sentimiento was certified platinum, and its platinum edition also achieved Gold status.

In 2008, Ivy Queen embarked on a world tour that culminated with a sold-out show at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, recorded as World Tour Live! on DVD and CD. In 2010, she released her seventh album, Drama Queen, which reached number three on the Billboard Latin charts and stayed there for five consecutive weeks. Her eighth album, Musa, released in 2012, included the single "Peligro de Extinción," and showcased her versatility as she performed in The Vagina Monologues, reaffirming her status as a symbol of female empowerment.

In 2014, Ivy released the EP Vendetta: First Round, and in 2015 she unveiled Vendetta: The Project, an innovative production comprising four albums in different genres: urban, salsa, bachata, and hip-hop. In 2017, she launched "Ámame o Mátame" with Don Omar and the track "El Lobo del Cuento." In 2018, she released "Por Mí and Mi Vecina," furthering her influence in the genre. In 2019, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Tu Música Urbano awards and released the single "787," while also being inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame at the Musa Awards.

In 2020, she released "Un Baile Más," featuring Colombian actor Gregorio Pernía. The pandemic forced her to postpone her Raíz No Rama tour, but she released "Antídoto," a song inspired by quarantine. In July 2020, she debuted The Way of the Queen, a documentary with four unreleased songs. In her single "Next," she invites her listeners to feel empowered, with lyrics co-written with Peter Nieto.

In 2023, Ivy Queen returned to her homeland with a historic performance at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, achieving a sold-out show and reaffirming her position as the pioneering and undisputed queen of reggaetón from the land that saw her rise. Additionally, she released videos for "Quién Dijo" and "Villana," both with a message of female empowerment. Recently, she dropped "Bye Bye," a reggaetón track encouraging the end of toxic relationships. She collaborated with Rauw Alejandro on "Celebrando," and with Brray, Lennox, Marconi Impara, and Eix on the remix of "Toma." She also collaborated with María Becerra on "Primer Aviso" and with Bad Gyal on "Perdío." Her latest release, "De Luto," marks a new chapter in her personal life, conveying empowerment and self-respect.

With over 30 years in the industry, Ivy Queen is renowned for her steadfast advocacy for women. She has been nominated for three Latin Grammys® and received special recognition from the Latin Recording Academy. She has been honored with awards from Billboard, ASCAP, and Premios Juventud, and was recognized by People en Español as one of the 25 Most Powerful Women and one of the 50 Most Beautiful People. In 2023, she was awarded "Woman Icon" at the Billboard Women in Music Awards, received the Legacy Award for Urban Music at Premio Lo Nuestro, and the Icon Award at the Billboard 2023.

Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. For information on events, go to MiddlesexCountyCulture.com