Latin Times Magazine Volume 14 No 1 | Page 25

National Latino Spotlights Latin Times: When did you know you wanted to be an actress? Lourdes Colon: I knew I wanted to be an actress the moment I saw “I Dream of Jeannie” I wanted to be on TV doing the same thing. I wanted to blink things into existence and watch people be amazed, but all caught on camera. Hahaha! Latin Times: Tell us about your Family history where you come from? Lourdes Colon: I was born in Puerto Rico, but raised in Waukegan, a Chicago suburb. My mom and dad moved their when I was 1. I grew up with my mom, dad and my other 4 siblings. Latin Times: Tell us about “Option C” and what it means to you? Lourdes Colon: Option C means you educate yourself on everything that is going on with your health. How the body works, what things help nourish the body and repairs the very thing you are having a problem with. Learn why it happened in the first place then avoid those things all together. Once you understand your intake on food and what it is doing to your body, you will then have the solutions to your problem, then you take actions and be responsible for your health. “I am what time, circumstance, history, have made of me, certainly, but I am also, much more than that. So are we all.” - James Baldwin REZZI (Brandon Philip Reyes), a sixteen-year-old rapper and songwriter from Toronto, Canada, knows something about tough times. As a child growing up in humble circumstances, he also struggled to express his thoughts and emotions. Music became his outlet, which would eventually free his compelling voice. As a songwriter and rapper, Rezzi boldly confronts what American novelist James Baldwin refers to as the given “time”, “circumstance” and “history”, which define us all. Ultimately, Rezzi’s poetic lyrics become a kind of anthem for a generation feeling disenfranchised from socio-economic advancement and the promise of privilege. Latin Times Magazine www.Latin-Times.com Latin Times: Are there any new projects you’re working on? Lourdes Colon: I am working on a film called “Crave: The Fast Life.” We shoot this coming January. I read the script and fell in love with the story and the characters in the film. So I knew I was on board. Latin Times: What advice do have for young Hispanic/Latinos today? Lourdes Colon: My advice is, Follow your dreams and your heart and don’t let anyone or anything take you from that. And while you are doing that don’t forget the very thing that is most important.. “You” so take care of that so you are able to achieve what it is you want to achieve. Care what you put in your body, because it will be the very thing that will save your life. Latin Times: Who has been your hero and inspiration in your life? Lourdes Colon: My mom. She did what she needed to do to raise us five kids, and made sure we had everything. She showed me Love and family. She showed me that no matter what you are going though, you just figure it out and when you do, you win. Rezzi’s electrifying message is resonating with thousands of young people like himself across the United States and Canada. Most notably, his annual performances at Youth Day Toronto are the most anticipated for the audience of over 30,000. Rezzi's first single, Home of The Brave, featuring popular artist DZA is quickly gaining mainstream momentum. He is currently in the studio working on his debut mix-tape scheduled to release later this year. While comparisons have been made to fellow Canadian hip-hop artists who have influenced him such as Drake, K'naan and Kardinal Offishall, Rezzi’s voice is wholly unique to his time, circumstance and history. Besides, he is much more than that. Abraza el calor de tu cultura! 25