Join C.O.R.E.

I’m excited to share that I’ve been awarded as the 1st-ever winner of the C.O.R.E. Talent Discovery Project. I’m proud to have completed 20 hours of training in the Music Business Basics program through CORE, giving me the tools to further grow in this industry."

"Certified by Yakira Levi 's CORE Music Foundation!!!!! I am grateful. #2023goals #winnerscircle"  Our 2nd winner of the C.O.R.E. Talent  Discovery Project. Songwriter, producer, performer, engineer, and percussionist.

With Autism, Doctors’ claimed he would have trouble talking, but with faith and the support of both parents, Shakar-Ism is an audio engineer, songwriter and performing artist who  lives by his motto. “Autism does not stop me!” 

We began as a network of united hip-hop artists working together to obtain success in the music industry, educating artists, promoting creative endeavors, and preserving the true essence of hip-hop culture. 

We understand music business frustrations because we started as artists who went through the same things, which is why we formed C.O.R.E. and CORE Music Foundation to show creatives the ropes, and help others avoid the pitfalls we successfully made it out of.

C.O.R.E. was conceived in 1994, founded in 1995, sponsored by Columbia College Chicago in 1996, and incorporated in 1999. 

CORE Music Foundation was founded in 2005 and received 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in 2008.