Maybe it's because he grew up poor on the Navajo reservation that 25-year old Stanison Yazzie is so determined to make it big in music and his other interests. "I remember my parents not having money at certain times and I had to help them pay the light bill when I was in high school," Yazzie said. Success is important to him, but not at the expense of his Navajo heritage and roots, he said.

After graduating in the top 10% of his class at Chinle High School in Chinle, Arizona, he went on to earn a degree in construction management from Northern Arizona University which lead to his day job as construction superintendent for KB Homes in Phoenix. But at night, he's making hip-hop music and slowly pulling his plans together for a restaurant business and his own clothing line.

Name:   Stanison Yazzie

Tribe: Navajo - Navajo Nation

Age: 25 years old

High School: Chinle High School

Education: Northern Arizona University - Bachelor of Science in Construction Management             with a minor in Business Admini-stration. Pursuing a Masters of Business Administration degree at Arizona State University

What kind of business are you into?   I produce hip-hop music and manage hip-hop artists. I also am very passionate about starting my own businesses such as a restaurant business, clothing line, record label, and construction business.

Is this a full or part-time gig? Both. I am always thinking about different ways to start and run my businesses. I am always planning on how to progress my companies in the right direction. I am always finding acquaintances or making acquaintances. Network-ing is one of my biggest strategies. I always make myself available to speak with someone. With my music, I am always calling, setting up meetings, and networking to set up new shows in my local area. Eventually, I plan to reach out to other areas (out-of-state) with my music.   

I am young so I am gung-ho about trying to get my companies started quickly.   Because I want the right approach, and to take it slow, I decided to get mentors to guide me to the best way of achieving my success. Musically, besides producing and managing, I started to rap to my own beats and create my own music. It is a challenge but with practice and time I know I will perfect it.   I produce and manage a record label I am starting . . . I want to be known for creating music and ambitiously trying to take over the business world.

When did you decide music was what you wanted to do?   I actually fell into making music. I have an old college roommate who started producing music before me. By listening to his talent, I decided I also wanted to start producing music. But I never thought I would one day be trying to start a record label. That is where I am at now. I am dreaming of bigger things professionally and financially. I remember the first time I tried making a beat for myself it was hard and confusing but after long practices and late nights at the studios, I have gotten better.

My dream is not only to make it big for myself but for my artists as well. I want them to get a chance to be heard through their music. I mainly concentrate on one artist right now, but he has what it takes to be one of the Jay-Z's, Kanye West, Nas, and Common.

Are you self-taught? I consider myself a self-taught man. I have always been a fast learner and good listener. With these skills it has been easy to learn about the music industry; like how it works. The music industry is both good and bad. I choose to stay on the good side and make my works worthwhile. Producing has taught me to be the backbone of the music but managing has taught me to appreciate my artists more. I put my artists first, than myself. A lot of producers and managers tend to try to get the spotlight but I feel that is not the right approach to running a successful record label.

Any role models? Wow! Role models, do I have enough. First and foremost, my parents are my biggest role models and motivators. They have been through so much it is unbelievable they continue to do what they want to do. My parents raised me very poor but rich in their hearts. I remember my parents not having money a certain points and I had to help them pay the light bill in high school. I am very happy I was raised the way I was raised: with the struggles, poverty, and obstacles. I tend to appreciate things more and none for granted. I don't whine about little things because I know it is just whining. I appreciate my family and my loved ones more this way. Musically, my biggest role models are Jay-Z for his lyrical talent, Tupac for his "being the best" mentality, Biggie Smalls for his realness, and last and not least Kanye West for his strive of being the best. I like Kanye West's style because he was a producer first before he became a rapper. I want to take the same approach and eventually conquer the music industry that way.

How do you get ideas for your music?   I get ideas for my beats through my daily activities. If I hear a certain sound I want to make it hyper and more up-beat. Producing, you have to be a very good listener; you have to have the ears of a dog!   After all the bits and pieces are put together for a music, my rapper will eventually feel the beat and coordinate to make a good hook for the sound and everything will follow perfectly afterwards.

Which shows do you attend? In the Native community I haven't really reached out to the youth just because my interests are starting outside the circle of Native hip-hop first.   I want to tackle the crazy music industry and try to progress financially and professionally. Then afterwards, I want to reach the native youth.   I recently started doing shows with various native entertainment companies. Prior to these shows, I have done shows with Mike Jones, Ying-Yang twins, Daz Dillinger, Lil Rob, Twista, Too Short, and Cham-millitary (some big names in the hip-hop music industry). Eventually I want to establish my own concerts and run my own shows as a manager. I also want to transition my record label into an entertainment company. It will take time though.

How do you market yourself?   I market my record label and shows mainly through the Internet. I get a lot of publicity from myspace.com. The site is a very good tool for my field of interest. I am also going to start my own record label website soon [that will contain information] about my companies. But when it gets closer to show time, I promote through flyers, clothing, and etc.

What is the hardest part of being in business? A lot of people underestimate my capability of running a record label. I think it is funny. I think they think like this because I am Native American and they have never seen a Native American do something like this. I believe my status of being Native American will only help me by reaching out to the native youth and make a statement that anything can be accomplish as long as you put your mind to it. The music industry is lethal. You just have to make the right decisions. Nothing is hard to achieve, you only make it harder for yourself if you allow it to be!

What is the best part of being in the business? The best part of being in the music business is meeting new people and gaining their respect. I like to attend shows as not only do we perform but also I like to mingle and meet new people that want to collaborate. I have met many celebrities and it is an honor to be on the same stage as them. It is a rush to know you are opening up for Mike Jones, Ying-Yang twins, and so forth. The biggest thing I want to gain through this is challenging myself to be the best no matter what it takes but I want to achieve success without losing my heritage and roots. I know I am capable of making it BIG!

Interest/Hobbies: Played sports such as football, basketball, and baseball. I like to swim, work-out, run, read books, and do some outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, mountain climbing, camping, and fishing.

Best saying: "Work Hard, Play Hard"

Status: Committed

Clans: I am the Coyote Pass People, born for the Towering House People; my maternal grandparents are the Bitter Water People, and my paternal grandparents are the Red Bottom Streak People.

Community you are from: Chinle, Arizona (Navajo Nation)

Favorite website: www.espn.com

Favorite TV show: The Simpsons

Favorite book: 5 people you meet in heaven

Favorite food:   Mac and Cheese

Last movie watched: ATL, starring T.I.

Goals you'd like to achieve this year? (1) I want to get promoted to a senior superintendent. (2) Get my record label running. (3) Establish my business plans for my clothing line and restaurant business. (4) I want to go to Hawaii with my family.

Next five years? (1) Become a Construction Manager for KB Homes. (2) Start my own construction company. (3) Finish my MBA degree at ASU. (4) Get accepted to Harvard University for a Doctoral Degree. (5) Be able to continue to make music and become well-known throughout the nation. (6) Build my mom a mansion on the Reservation.

Who would you like to meet? I want to meet Jay-Z and Kanye West

Which art magazines do you often read? I really read art magazines and a lot of stuff magazines: Maxim for Men, The Source, and scratch mags!

Kind of car you'd like to drive? My dream cars are: (1) Mercedes Benz, (2) BMW, (3) Hummer, and finally my baby (Lexus).