ABOVE: Watch the video for “Home of the Brave” by Rezzi. (Warning: Contains language that may offend.)
TORONTO — Get ready for Rezzi.
The 17-year-old is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Drake, another Canadian rapper who started at the bottom but went on to become a global superstar.
Rezzi — who was born Brandon Reyes — is warming up the world for his debut EP War of Words (due out later this year) with a slick video for his single “Home of the Brave.”
Global News has the exclusive premiere of the video.
The song, released to iTunes last month, showcases a talent for rap Rezzi said he discovered almost by accident.
Inspired by artists like Eminem and 50 Cent, Rezzi took a friend’s advice and tried his hand at writing some material.
“I did it for fun,” the Toronto-area teen told Global News. “When I started high school, people were telling me that it I could take myself somewhere with this.”
Rezzi started writing more as well as recording and performing live. He fell in love with the latter.
“You feed off the crowd and you’re looking at them and they’re there for you,” he said. “It’s something you can’t really explain.”
Rezzi said he writes about personal experiences and whatever is on his mind — and he’s not afraid to get personal.
“Sometimes you can’t really see emotion in hip hop because it’s become very shallow,” he said. “But bringing it back is something I’m trying to do.”
That confidence is important, especially considering Rezzi is often patronized because of his age.
“People don’t take me as seriously,” he admitted. “That’s something that’s concrete when it comes to barriers.”
Rezzi is hoping to keep the lines of communication open with fans through various social media tools. He’s already got 10,000 followers on Twitter and maintains a presence on Facebook and Instagram.
“I know that without those people nothing is ever possible,” he says of the growing number of people discovering his music.
BELOW: Watch Rezzi in an interview with Global News.
The video for “Home of the Brave” — which features UK rapper DZA — was shot in Toronto and in London, England.
Rezzi said it’s an anthem for people who feel less than.
It’s a feeling he can relate to. Rezzi said he was the victim of bullying in elementary school.
“I was kind of like that kid who was weird. I didn’t really know how to socialize with kids. I was kind of off in my own space, in my own world, so I was excluded a lot,” he recalled.
“I had a short temper so when that kind of stuff happened I couldn’t really control myself. I just got angry and got upset over it. I lashed out.”
Rezzi said young boys are programmed to be strong and brave.
“There’s that persona that people expect. People say ‘you shouldn’t be stressing over this, you shouldn’t be angry about that.’ Being emotionless and being a brick wall when it comes to your feelings is what is expected a lot.”
His advice for kids dealing with bullying now?
“Hate and bullying is short-lived. They aren’t going to do it forever, it won’t last forever,” he says.
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