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INSIDE REGGAETON - Exclusive!
Zion Y Lennox Los Que Motivan la Yal and the Whole World
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OTHER INSIDE EXCLUSIVES
- Alexis y Fido Nominated Twice for Latin Grammys 09/11/2008
- MTV TR3S and Calle 13 Partner to Unveil Grammy Winning Duo 09/05/2008
- Voltio Redeemed by His Music 08/27/2008
- Wisin Y Yandel Gearing Up 05/27/2008
- Julio Voltio on Grand Theft Auto IV 05/12/2008
- Rakim and Ken Y Caught Stealing Songs From Erre XI 04/21/2008
- Introducing ‘Mr. New York City’ Nick Diddy aka Talentino 02/24/2008
- Marlon Peña the Man Behind the Video Camera 02/01/2008
- Stef La Kallejera onfire representing the females 12/05/2007
- Dj Hostile Holding it down for NYC 11/20/2007
October 17, 2005
Hailing from Carolina and Santurce Puerto Rico, Zion y Lennox proclaim that they are “los que motivan a la yal” (the ones who motivate the girls). At 24 years of age Reggaeton fans can validate that Zion y Lennox are one of the most motivating Duos in the world of Reggaeton. Princesa and Nino sat down with Zion and Lennox to find out more about who they are and what makes them tick. Most Reggaeton artist come from humble beginnings and Zion and Lennox are no different. “There was a small studio in my house, where all the guys from the neighborhood played music; we were always hanging out and having fun recording Reggaeton,” says Lennox. My brother Mackie, from the duo Yaga y Mackie, knew a lot of people from the industry and one day, there was an opportunity to perform in an album, and Zion and I got together. We made our first song, and from that song on, we are ‘los que motivan a la yal…and the whole world.’”
As Princesa sits and marvels at that fact that she is actually sitting with one of the greatest duos Reggaeton has ever produced, she cannot help but get distracted by Zion puppy dog eyes and smile that sits easy on the end of his lips. It was then that she actually understood why all the girls go crazy for Zion and actually felt sorry for any female who had the misfortune to get lost in that smile. Zion had just arrived by plane at the hotel a few hours earlier. Nino had mentioned that Zion probably would be too tired for interviews that day. Lennox had also been ill the previous day, but they both arrived at the interview in great form.
Many fans wonder how Zion and Lennox came across their names. “Well, they are names that are very different from other names in Reggaeton. We were always very big fans of English and Spanish reggae. We grew up with the dancehall reggae rhythm, old school Hip-Hop, Panamanian Spanish reggae, and I think it has to do with the Jamaican culture. It’s also a biblical name, “Zion” for the Jamaican people it has meaning. I also think it has to do with my sign, which is Leo, and with Bob Marley’s songs. I decided to get that name, simply because it went with my personality,” Zion says with another smile. Lennox adds, “I got “Lennox” from a movie, “Belly” that stars DMX and NAS, and the Lennox role was played by Louie Ranking, who is an old school reggae singer.”
Nino Brown Aka Eddie Rosas proceeds to ask the next question, “How did you guys meet?” “: We met in my house’s studio, and Zion’s grandmother lived really close to my house and we saw each other every day,” says Lennox. “I worked hard and studied and so did Zion and we both had the same goals. But that was the key to our success; we never gave up and kept the everyday fight in life, which had many good and bad times. That was what kept us together and united us even more.” “YEAH YEAH, YOU KNOW?!” exclaims Zion with a smile that would make any girl melt. With that statement accompanied with the smile Princesa breaks into a giggle while trying to maintain her professionalism.
Each separate Reggaeton artist has a different view of Reggaeton. One of the most interesting questions to ask an artist theses day is just how they define Reggaeton. Zion states, “Reggaeton is the combination of many types of Caribbean rhythms. Rumba, Plena, Hip-Hop; it is a fusion of many rhythms that originated in Puerto Rico, and it derived from Spanish reggae. We didn’t think it was going to be like it is today, but thanks to God that all this has happened. It is a type of music mainly interpreted by the youth and originates from the streets, barrios and “caserios” (the ‘hood and projects) of Puerto Rico. This music was an option out of necessity for young people, who wanted to follow a good path in life and decided to be singers…and now it’s a genre that is succeeding throughout the world.” Lennox adds, “It is the music of the youth and the future.”
Lennox says, in the past two years Reggaeton growth has greatly increased. In about 5 years, He can see a whole lot of new artist, and Zion y Lennox’s company as one of the best out there, “There will be a lot more a lot of Reggaeton.” Zion adds, “We’ll be working with the American people, selling the same quantity of CDs and making the same work, video and album quality that hip-hop artist do. I see Reggaeton in a whole different level, totally mainstream.”
One of the greatest things that came about because of Reggaeton is the addition of record labels to the music industry that cater to Latinos. Many artist including Zion y Lennox feel that this is a good thing “Honestly, it is a big part of this whole movement that known as Reggaeton,” Lennox says. “The whole world has their eyes on Reggaeton, and all this American labels are signing up Reggaeton artists. I like to see this as[I see]the poker or chess games, when you see that someone signs up an artist, it is for a reason, because something bigger is coming up.”
As for new projects Zion states, “We are still working with Zion y Lennox Motivando A La Yal: Special Edition. We have songs from the album in Billboards’s Top Ten, like “Doncella,” “Yo Voy,” and “Don’t Stop.” I’m really happy promoting and selling this album, and working very hard everyday in order to win the American music market. Our future projects include: Baby Records: The Album, Los Mero Meros, Zion y Lennox Forever, and soon the Motivando A La Yal Tour.
There’s more information on the newly opened Baby Records webpage (www.babyrecordspr.com), where we’ll be waiting to answer our fans questions. We have sang with most artist and with the best. We have also worked with artists outside the genre, like Pitbull, Cuban Link, and now we’re going to be working with an artist from the Dipset. We are also planning to record with the Diplomats, and pretty much with anybody that wants to work with us. We are very focused on what is Zion y Lennox, making hit after hit, succeeding with our record label and to develop ourselves even more, like artist as well as producers in the future. No matter what lies ahead for us, we’ll keep working in a professional manner and with our minds set on what we do.”
The last question that Nino asks the duo is, “Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?” Lennox answers with a grin, “We want to thank all those Zion y Lennox fans out there, for all the love and support that they give us. We won’t stop making good music for you and a big kiss from Zion y Lennox, “Los que motivan a la yal.” “YOU KNOW?!” says Zion with a huge smile and then Lennox ends the interview, “TOMA!” With that, Nino shakes the artists hands and thanks them for the interview, while Princesa goes straight for the jugular and steals the bear hug she has been dying from Lennox. She then turns to Zion and with a straight face asks, “Now do you need any background singers?”
