Today we’d like to introduce you to Yung Rizzo.
Yung Rizzo, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
First off, I would like to introduce myself, my name is Yung Rizzo. Through and through, I’m a independent music artist, songwriter, producer and creative. I’m a born and raised, San Jose, California native with heavy roots in the Bay Area. I’ve founded my independent music label 10+ years ago and still own and operate it till this this day, Fly High Music Group. I attended San Jose State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology. It was during these fruitful days I began rapping, producing and creating music. There were only three things on my mental at that time: exploring different ways to start up and fund a business, basketball, and music. I have always been passionate about everything I have done and given 110%. In high school, I hooped for the team and this is just a small testament to my grind, but its always been this way. It’s wild because my goal was to play basketball
Once the momentum of my music started to roll, my crew and I would always be out in LA. Luckily my pops lived there during that time so I was familiar with the area. That’s when we really got a feel for the scene out there. Literally, we would grind and put up posters, network, and sell my mixtapes out of the trunks in the Hollywood area. After success, my momentum in LA started to roll, I started getting picked up on radio and performing in venues that would pay. I began to tour even within the state and further west to Hawaii. The music motives brought together my brother and some friends to have founded our own clothing line, P’s and Q’s Clothing. This is when my entrepreneur spirit began to life. The clothing line had a great start and we attended conventions such as Magic in Las Vegas, then things slowed down and the company later dissolved in 2014. Recently, towards the end of 2018, I revamped the clothing line with some focus in other directions such as kids and it has been smooth sailing so far. I don’t plan to saturate a certain market but more create a cult following for the brand for longevity. I was never disappointed in the dissolution of the partnership of the brand, everything was a learning experience and that is something you run into when starting and running a business.
Between the years of 2011 and 2013, I began to tour overseas to boost my music career, even more, I landed on televised networks and headlined my own tour. I also had a charity fund during these times and donated sales from a record to those affected by natural disasters. I got to experience third world countries first hand, it only leads me to give back even more. I had to figure it out, so I started to get involved with nonprofits and with having the right mindset, I found my way on how I can be involved and give back to society. This inspired me to start a nonprofit endeavor of my own, Your Right Fly High (YRFH), which is a nonprofit for immigrants and culture adaptation. You see when I was overseas, I would always hear how a family member is abroad trying to make money for their family or one would move to the US and they haven’t seen their family in decades. The reason being is the family member in the US didn’t know they could petition and bring their family members to the US with them. I helped a few family members with this already and it led me to take the nonprofit to the next level. Though it is still in start-up, I’m proud of being apart of something where I can give back and help these families find a way to enter the US legally and adapt to a new culture; it’s their right, they should fly high.
Alongside the businesses I’ve founded, I’m also a Director at another nonprofit whereas I’m head of Operations and interim CFO. This particular organization, we help underserved students in education. My reason for this involvement is that I was one of those students, and it’s only right I help those in need of the right path. This is where I’m at today, involved with all of these businesses, sure its hard work and entrepreneurs don’t sleep, but at the end of the day, it’s all worth it for me.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has most definitely not been a smooth road for me, especially with starting my own brand and business. There have been countless times that people have both on purpose and inadvertently tossed roadblocks my way which deterred me from getting to my destination. Off the top of my head I can remember even some of my partners not sharing my vision. It’ easy to get sidetracked. Its all about how you react. You’ve always got to have the mentality that no-one else will be able to knock you because nobody is you. Nobody will work as hard as you.
No matter what the case, one has to just be able to react to ill situations strategically and swiftly. I can remember one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced professionally was when I was involved in a company where the profit shares and percentages in equity were distributed equally, but I was doing more work than others. This can be a tricky situation. The adage “you can’t have too many chefs in the kitchen” can in fact hold true, especially during inception of a company. For example, whether it’s a friend or family, one can have a difficult time letting them know they aren’t needed. All this is a learning experience for me and essential to a business mindset.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
My industry focuses are entertainment/music, lifestyle clothing brands, and non-for-profits. I’ve founded and run operations for Fly High Music Group, P’s and Q’s Clothing, and YRFH.
Fly High Music Group: Actually ran as a label, collecting artist royalties and publishing, not only releasing content and selling merchandise. Marketing, manufacturing, distribution done all in house.
P’s and Q’s Clothing: Lifestyle clothing brand that focuses on details and relatable concepts.
YRFH: Curriculum that is not generic and is constantly updated by those with hands-on experience. Giving back to society by showing them a possible and brighter path.
The thing the sets me apart the most is I actually know the ins and outs of how to run these businesses operate. Most skill sets of those who put an idea together require different expertise such as a finance person, etc. The most proud accomplishment is transitioning into a business state from a music artist. Knowing that I can be who I am, a music artist and bridge these gaps is definitely a huge accomplishment for me.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I personally think success is difficult to measure, it continues to grows with each accomplishment. This isn’t a bad thing though, you set new milestones as you reach them, which helps you grow as a person as well. I like to set an expectation and exceed it when that happens, you know you’re doing something right, especially if you’ve built a solid foundation, which is a feeling of success.
The thing that matters most to me is my family, health, and happiness. If you become unhealthy due to overwork and don’t have any time for a family then how can you be proud of your success? I believe it’s important to balance these key items, but where I’m at right now, is definitely a proud moment for me, having accomplished more than I imagined.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.yungrizzo.com, ww
w.flyhighmusicgroup.com, www. psandqsclothing.com, www.yourrightflyhigh.org - Phone: (415) 690-7499
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: http://instagram.
com/yungrizzo - Facebook: http://facebook.com/
likerizzo - Twitter: http://twitter.com/
yungrizzo - Other: http://www.yungrizzo.
com
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
