Rap artist Joell Ortiz of Brooklyn embarked on an evolutionary journey in 2012—a personal evolution that is. Ortiz realized that he should be thankful for the work he does and where it’s gotten him (think of his hit single Music Saved My Life). Ortiz began frequent exercise and took up a better diet. Before he knew it, he was 30 pounds lighter. With diabetes and obesity a real concern for the Puerto Rican community, Ortiz is happy he has done what he did for his health—and hopes he encourages others to do the same. In 2018, he’s teamed up with Apollo Brown to create the album Mona Lisa.