Felix G. Ortiz-Torrez, professionally known as Zion (of Reggaeton group Zion y Lennox) is world renowned for romantic lyrics and a melodic sound that flows fluidly over Reggaeton rhythms. As part of the duo Zion y Lennox, he released a number of hit singles, including “Yo Voy,†and earned a gold plaque for their 2004 release, Motivando A La Yal.
In addition to making hits of his own, Zion has been featured on some of Reggaeton's most important records including Los Cocorocos, Luny Tunes’ Mas Flow, Don Omar’s King of Kings, Hector El Father’s Rompe Discotecas and many more. Now it’s time for the vocalist to step out as a solo artist with his highly-anticipated debut, The Perfect Melody in stores June 5, 2007.
But this time around, some things are a little different. "I rolled the dice with this one here," Zion admits with a smile. "Many risks were taken while [creating] this album. For the first time ever, I crossed the language [barrier], singing both in Spanish and English. I am very confident with this release."
The Perfect Melody seamlessly spans the musical gambit from Reggaeton, to R&B, to pop, and features Play N Skillz, Tony Tun Tun, Reel, Cruz Martinez and Akon, who appears on the break-out, cross-over single, "The Way She Moves". "Fantasma," the song aimed at the more traditional Latin markets, has already reached top positions in national and international radio markets, selling over 2,500 ringtones per week. "This is a really big project,†the talented vocalist says confidently. “It’s going well! Universal is doing a great job. They are behind this project 100% and that's the most important thing!"
Zion started his artistic career as a boy in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Young Felix would travel back and forth to visit and live with his family in the Bronx from time to time, but wasn’t taking music seriously as a career yet. It wasn’t until he began receiving constant praise from friends and family members encouraging him to pursue singing for real, that he decided to get focused. He worked with a couple of local producers and artists in P.R., grinded hard in the streets and eventually teamed up with Lennox. The rest Zion says, "his, how you say, history!â€
The group’s success allowed them to tour the world, including the US, Europe and Latin America, performing at the 2005 Latin Grammy Awards, Univision's famed Premios Juventud and even NY's famed Madison Square Garden as the opening act on Daddy Yankee’s "Who's Your Daddy World Tour 2005."
Yet despite having so many great accomplishments under their collective belts, the duo has since parted ways professionally. But Zion assures there’s no bad blood and looks forward to a time when they can work together again. "In life, you grow as a person,†he explains, “as a musician and as a businessman. It was mutual, so we're not on bad terms at all."
Comfortable and confident on his own two feet, Zion formed Baby Records (he serves as the company’s CEO) and partnered with CMG (Coalition Music Group) to release his solo debut, The Perfect Melody, through Universal Motown Records.
With his team firmly in place, Zion plays the role of both music sensation and businessman at Baby Records, having signed projects scheduled to be released soon after his. The 25 year-old entrepreneur even plans to release a women's lingerie line and wants to open a few restaurants in the future as well.
But music comes first, and right now it’s all about The Perfect Melody. "For the [record], this is going to be a totally different Zion," the Puerto Rican native explains. "Right now I am preparing my fans. This is just [a] taste."
