C.O.R.E. TALENT DISCOVERY PROJECT

If You've Got Talent, Join C.O.R.E.!

What's your talent? Do you write lyrics, compose or arrange music? Are you a musician, D.J., or audio engineer? Do you dance, design, or create art? C.O.R.E. and CORE Music Foundation are searching for talented creatives like you with free registration to join C.O.R.E.!

Let C.O.R.E. help you avoid the pitfalls of the music industry, learn the business, and stand out in an oversaturated market. We work with selected talent as mentors on branding, marketing, music business basics, legal conversations, resources, opportunities, and support.

Register for free to become a C.O.R.E. member by clicking the link below, filling out the form, and stating that you are interested in the C.O.R.E. Talent Discovery project with

CORE Music Foundation.

Shakar-ISM

January 2024 Winner!

"Shakar" means "one who is grateful" in Arabic. "Ism" is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as a distinctive practice, system, or philosophy. "Shakar-Ism" is the practice of being grateful. "Shakar-Ism" is primarily the practice of Shakar Griffin, simply being himself. He was diagnosed with Autism at the age of four. Doctors and school officials stated that Shakar would have trouble communicating, interacting with other children, and with social skills. By age eight, Shakar-Ism had already taught himself to sing and play piano, trombone, and recorder by ear. He later began to experiment with different audio recording programs.

Shakar-Ism defied all odds! Not only did he learn to communicate and drive, but he also became a talented songwriter who makes beats and writes lyrics. He is a skilled audio engineer who records, mixes, and produces his music. He is a performing artist and graphic designer who created the Shakar-Ism clothing line. He supports autism awareness and motivation efforts towards mental health. All are uplifted or moved by his winning spirit and quest to inspire everyone. Although Shakar Griffin received offers of two scholarships to attend Harvard University, Shakar-Ism turned them down to follow his passion for music. Shakar graduated with an Entertainment Business Certificate from SAE Institute Chicago, where he continues to study for the Entertainment Business Associates Degree.

Shakar-Ism has had the honor of winning the title and being crowned King at the Quad Fest, in a Verzuz-styled rap battle with local talent. He is one of the talented winners of the C.O.R.E. Talent Discovery Project with CORE Music Foundation. He also received recognition and endorsement from Grammy-winning artist Common. Shakar-Ism has opened up for Bone Thugs In Harmony and was honored to give a live freestyle performance for KRS-One. He has performed at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, The Grand Ballroom Chicago, Richard J. Daley Center, The Wrigley Building, Promontory, and various events throughout the Chicagoland area. Shakar-Ism has graced the stage with Chicago Legends Twista, Shawnna, Crucial Conflict, Three Piece, and many more.

Shakar-Ism performed at the mourning family’s birthday celebration for Chicago's missing postal worker, Kierra Coles. The event aired on WLS TV, WBBM TV, WGN TV, and WMAQ TV in Chicago. He also performed for IL State Senator Willie Peterson. Seandell of WPWX-FM Power 92 Radio interviewed Shakar-Ism, broadcast his music on the station, and featured him in his upcoming documentary What Seandale Means To Chicago. Shakar-Ism took pride in being interviewed by Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. of the Black Pantha Party Cubs and ChiBlizz of My Radio Chicago. Shakar-Ism was grateful to have had the opportunity to work behind the scenes for shows featuring Twista, DJ Quick, Too Short, and Morris Day. "Autism does not stop me! " States Shakar-Ism. He has independently released the songs AUT and Get From The Matrix on all streaming platforms. Shakar-Ism is ready to take his career to the next level.

Le'aire XCIV

January 2023 Winner!

Le’aire Levy, born February 11, 1994, creates and performs airy and refreshing music using his stage name Le’aire XCIV. Le’aire means the air in French, and XCIV is 94, the year he was born, in roman numerals. He defines himself as a humanitarian communicating with the world through music. Le’aire XCIV has chosen to help humans heal by providing emotionally intelligent music with integrity that makes people feel good.

There is a lot of music created with bad intentions. “I provide an alternative to that. I aim to provide music that feels good and is good for you. I serve the Mediterranean dish instead of the fast food kind of music,” said Le’aire XCIV.

The Le’aire XCIV artistic concept is eclectic. His primary style is a mix of MCing and singing ballads. As an Aquarius, he thinks outside the box. Le'aire is not confined to a specific sound, as he aims to make new genres of different types of soul music, futuristic, and Afrocentric sound fusions. Le'aire is a percussionist who plays piano, bass, drum set, drum kit, djembe, shakers, triangle, and most importantly, his voice is his primary instrument.

Songwriter, producer, performer, engineer, and percussionist, his love for music is hereditary. Le’aire XCIV started writing raps at the tender age of 9. By age 10 he started working with composers who would give him grown-man beats. This forced him to advance creatively sooner. Although he did live up to the challenge, Le'aire got tired of looking for good beats from adults, so he started learning to make rhythms, sequences, and melodic phrases of his own.

He wrote lyrics and music and started singing hooks and choruses to avoid searching for people to work on his projects. He claims that although his music was always good, he was not that great when he started. Le’aire XCIV has gotten better along the way. "After learning different skill sets, I feel like now I am doing what I have always tried to do," he states.

Notable performances include The House of Blues, Chicago Theatre, Bronzeville Summer Nights, and The African Festivals of the Arts in Chicago. He has performed at hotels, banquet halls, wedding anniversaries, birthday parties, and venues primarily in downtown Chicago, Hyde Park, and the Wicker Park area. Le'aire has lots of local and national artists' collaborations. And he is proud that his music has been played on Terrestrial radio and Power 92.

Motivated by the excitement of discovery. Le’aire XCIV is to sound like a kid at a candy store. Cool sounds, trippy sounds, it all starts there, and how he puts it together is His-Story.

Tereya Grace

January 2022 Winner!

Tereya Grace, originally from St. Louis, MO is an international singer, songwriter, worshipper, dancer, and rapper who aims to give back to the world by empowering young people to fulfill their dreams and destinies. She leads by example while delivering the undiluted word of God to young people through her performances, providing them with education and counseling to activate their various destinies for the kingdom of God and inspiring them to serve others and lift their spirits!

Princess Tereya Grace started performing music and dance at the age of 16. She began taking her music career seriously at 19 and felt God lead her to use her lyrics and songwriting to touch, change, and help people thru her music. Thus far, her career has taken her to Nigeria, West Africa, and various cities all over the United States.

In 2018 Tereya Grace recorded new worship material with Grammy-nominated producer Billy Smiley in Nashville, TN. Recordings included songs from Nigeria and beloved worship songs from America. She then joined Touch Music Group in Chicago for a song production plan of 36 songs with Smiley over a three year period.

Together they created a whole new sound influenced by Sade, Anita Baker, groove, rap, deep jazz, and pop. When asked about the current music Tereya praises the production team at Touch Music (UCAS Touch). Many say that the release of these new songs will be a game-changer for her career and ministry. “What’s important to me is to be a voice for the Lord, and to minister to people with my lyrics and the music." States Grace softly.