level-up! magazine vol 1. issue 1 2008

March

ART AND BASKETBALL

You’ll never learn about this in your art appreciation class but after this session, you’ll understand why Da Vinci was so popular.

GET YOUR TUNE UP DONE RIGHT THE FIRST TIMEToine Tracks, the man behind the Level Up release shows us how one beat can start a listening revolution that can be heard from Columbia College to Lake Michigan.

GASOLINA!

No matter how cold the windy city gets, Chicago artists are stepping up and bringing enough flames to light the torch carried by the Statue of Libetry. Hello Chi Town how ya doin?LE

VEL-

UP20

08ToineTracks

PRETTY SOON,

YOUR I.D. COULD

BE OBSOLETE....

PAGE 14

LeveL-Up! ModelLeveL-Up!Magazine.Iss.1

Toine Tracks:“Music is more than making beats, my music is the beginning of a revolution that cannot be categorized or duplicated.”

LEVEL-UPToineTracks March 2008

TOINETRACKS...”PEACE & VICTORY”If you never got the luxury of ear gratification and customized beats on the spot, you should call up Toine Tracks. This Chicago native is the tech son of super producers Dre and Timbaland and after 9 years of making fierce tracks, he’s coming harder in 2008. With guitar riffs and intergalactic noises inner mixed with hi hats and a room full of bass, Toine Tracks proves to his opponents that sampling is a thing of the past and the new era of production lies in creativity and passion.

Don’t let the smile and low key

demeanor fool you. Toine Tracks is not

only random, quirky, and avant garde on

his tracks, he plays a mean rendition of

what he calls “life” on the keys. Self

taught and learning more about the

game, he surprises his clients with state

of the art equipment, a unique

philosophy on beat making, and a keen

sense of what they want before they

even tell him. As a Chicago native and

Marquette Park descendent, Toine has

been bringing the bass since his Gage

Park years. To thirst his hunger, he feeds

off this sincere dedication and drive to

make beats until his ears can take no

more. “It begins with a punch on the

Phantom X and floats into another level

of musical consciousness.” These days,

the beat maker is all about using the

technology he has mastered to level up

and flood every outlet of the Internet

possible. Representing the art and

music culture of our generation, he

credits Columbia for educating him on

the business and providing real world

experiences. When it comes down to it,

he depends on self to seek the

knowledge of how to master the art of

beat making. Keep your ears open and

your focus sharp, the beat master will be

bumpin’ in an iPod near you.

LeveL-Up!Magazine.Iss.1

Drew Yung“Music and basketball are my two inspirations. My music reflects this deep passion I have for dominating on the court and on the mic.”


DREW YUNG & TOINETRACKSWhen this sibling duo start collabing in the studio, you would swear the vibe was as smooth as Timbaland and Justin Timberlake. Fresh and ready to take on the industry, Drew Yung is the teen underground artist that you will want to know by the end of this article.

SWEET HOME CHICAGO, the WINDY

CITY! Chi city natives are always on the nitty

gritty to make it. Whatever the hustle,

Chicagoans strive to be the biggest and the

best. May it be talent, movies, or clothing

keeping it fly, flashy, and fresh is a necessity.

While there are about a handful of mainstream

artists reppin’ the chi like Twista, Common,

and Kanye, the underground hip hop scene

has proven itself to be progressive; that

diamond in the rut you don’t always notice at

first glance. Chicago’s own Kool Kids have

been brought into the mainstream with the

Rhapsody commercial and even more tech

gens are using YouTube as a jump off for

stardom. With his first single “In the Paint,”

Drew Yung displays his passion for the court

and the mic. “In the paint not only means

domination on the court, but being tipsy and

dominated by liquor at the club.” Drew Yung

didn’t always know he would be a rapper, his

brother Toine Tracks surprised him one day

with a mini beat machine and a million dollar

idea. “When he started punching on the

buttons, I just started flowing and we’ve been

collaborating ever since then.” If the walls

could talk, they would speak on how the bass

came through the speakers at high

frequencies when “In the Paint” was being

recorded. Music isn’t the only thing this

brother duo are working on, their belief in art

imitating life will be reflected in a clothing line

to be released in the spring of 2009. Sitting

down with Drew, we talk about college life,

basketball, and why rapping is the best hobby

in world.


Graduation this spring means even more time for DY to get his rap and art game proper.

LEVEL UP I just got done

listening to your first single “In the

Paint,” how long did it take you to

write it?

DREW YUNG It took me around 2

hours. I finished most of it in one night

and then the next day in the studio, I

finished up the last verse of the hook.

Exactly what does “in the paint”

mean? I noticed references to

basketball but really didn’t get the

idea. In the paint means domination

on the court and being tipsy when you

out at the club. I wanted to talk about

both because rapping and basketball

is like an art.

And what was your inspiration

for this particular track? I wanted to

make a club banger, something for

people to bob their heads to. I was

thinking about basketball at the time

so I first thought about how I would

put a club banger with basketball. I

instantly thought about being “in the

paint,” which is a phrase for

somebody being slap drunk Being put

in the paint is like somebody

dominating you on the court, but the

real domination is being tipsy from the

liquor. That’s how I came up with the

two concepts.

How was your experience

working in the studio with your

brother Toine Tracks? It was really

easy because all I had to do was just

write the lyrics, present the ideas, and

tell him the concept of the song. From

there, he showed me how to format it

and we had a hit in about 3 hours.

So you’re at a big advantage

working with him, it seems like the

chemistry is on point.

Pretty much. Whenever I bring an

idea to the table, he knows exactly

how the beat should go with the lyrics

and we got about two songs done

within a day. When I’m recording, he

always tells me how my vocals are like

an instrument and play an important

role in the recording process.

Ok, million dollar question:

When you blow up, will you still go

to college?

Of course. You gotta still have

knowledge in everything. It’s not just

about rapping to me. I’m multi

talented. You have to learn how to use

the money that you are making, that’s

where the education comes in. I

believe it’s important to use your

talents to the best of your ability.

What are some other talents

that you have? I draw. I want to have

my own clothing line and make more

venues for myself. I’m just about my

business.

DREW YUNG

“ Everybody that’s not on with us now, don’t hop on the bandwagon when we blow up.”Over the years, Drew Yung has witnessed the separation between the hungry willing artists to the ones who were just in it for the trend. Being his brother’s protege has shown him that nothing is guaranteed unless you have the determination to want to make it. “The best things I could’ve learned from Toine is the art of staying focused and the importance of thinking big and striving for your dreams.

“I am in the paint you can call me Shaq, you can only try to hold me back.”


Dae Jones:“My passion is my savior.”


SADE GRANT...AKA “DAE JONES”“I am already passionate about what I do. I’m going to stay true to me. This is me, I’m Dae Jones and this is how you get it, take it or leave it.”

This Chicago native and former Cabrini

Green resident is staying true to self and

striving to make a difference in the lives of

little girls everywhere through her music.

With her first single titled “Sidekick,” Dae

Jones is bringing the fun fem swag back into

the club with this diverse track you can

dance to in front of the mirror or kick back to

and blast on your iPod. Ready to be released

in April of this year, Dae Jones can describe

the track in four words; “the song is crazy.”

Not only is she working hard in the studio

with Toine Tracks to perfect and bronze

“Sidekick,” her passion for dance and

working in the community keeps her busy

and driven. As leader and founder of the

dance trio Lovely Ladies, this dance diva has

competed in local competitions and opened

up for the multi talented heartthrob Chris

Brown in his annual dance down competition

in 06 and 07. Also, in 06 and 07, The Lovely

Ladies opened up for Wayne, Jeezy, Rich

Boi, Jim Jones, Chicago’s own Shawna, and

Young Dro during the Street Dreams Tour.

With dancing as her second passion, Dae

Jones has even found time to collab with the

GO’s youngest celebrity The Pope. With

plans for “Sidekick” to go double platinum

and get an endorsement from T. Mobile, Dae

Jones is preparing to release a mix tape,

something that is rare in the world of R&B.

Describing herself as bubbly and at the same

time down to earth, Miss Jones finds it

important to never forget where she came

from and reflect her gratitude for where she

is now by performing in charity events for the

children in her neighborhood. “I’m from

Cabrini Green and I did a show over there for

the children. After I performed, the kids

embraced me, they wanted to be me. The

feeling I got to be able to motivate those kids

was amazing.” In lieu of performing at school

and fighting through the crowds to get her

name on a list, Dae finds it more meaningful

to perform in multiple places on a larger

scale. On March 29, The Lovely Ladies will

be performing at the Mc McCormick Tribune

Cancer Center (3201 S. State). With bangle

bracelets adorning her arms and metallic

accessories to match her outfit, the soon to

be diva sits with me on a snowy and chill

Tuesday night to discuss her anticipation for

her upcoming mix tape, where she will be in

five years, and how her music can “change

the thoughts of a million girls out there.”


LEVEL UP What influenced you

to sing?

DAE JONES I would have to say

watching other artists and kinda

growing up with the music at home.

Of course it has become a passion.

I’m able to motivate people through

my music so of course it is

something that I want to continue to

do. I grew up listening to Whitney

Houston and Mariah Carey. I’m so

ashamed to say I didn’t watch

Michael Jackson when I was little.

Would you be open to

collaborating with other singers in

the future? Oh yeah, of course. I’m

really diverse.

With a female artist like Mary J

and the length of time she has

been in the game, what do you

think keeps her going and how will

you apply that your experiences?

Her passion and staying true to

herself. Of course I am already

passionate about what I do. I’m

going to stay true to me. This is me,

I’m Dae Jones and this is how you

get it, take it or leave it.

Where do you see yourself in

the game 5 years from now? Five

years from now, I’m trying to figure

out how many Grammys I’ll have. I’ll

be working on new outlets for youth.

I want to make dreams happen in

both the music and dance industry.

Are you working on anything

now?

Yes, I’m working on my demo

and I plan to put out an R&B mix

tape. The first single is called

“Sidekick.” The song is crazy. It’s an

upbeat track that you can dance to in

the club and kick back with. The

intent for the song is to go double

platinum and get an endorsement for

Sidekick. I also have a dance group

called The Lovely Ladies. They’re

based here in Chicago. It’s a small

group at the moment but we plan to

expand down the line. We’ve been

together for about three years and

have been in local competitions.

I understand that you’re

working with Toine Tracks on the

album. How has it been working

with him in the studio? It is a new

experience and at times it is

frustrating and tedious. Of course

anything that is worth it is going to

take hard work so I’m able to deal

with the pressure. It has been a great

experience and something new

because his production is different

from what I have been doing. I would

say the chemistry or how well we

work together on the track is the

best. Every producer you work with

might not bring that chemistry. Every

time he puts on a beat, I’m instantly

writing to it.

With the fusion of technology

and music, how will you survive in

the era of downloads and low CD

sales? I feel like some artists who

sing have a harder time. I sing and

dance. I give people something they

can see, I can sell out in the arena. A

performance can’t be bootlegged.

That’s why Chris Brown and Ciara,

for example are making so much

money form their tours because they

are giving the fans something they

can see.

MA MA

LIKE

G R I L S DESPISE

S

ME,

ME.


With their first single “Do Ya Thang,” The Cutty Boyz are mixing screwed dirty south flow with east coast lyricism and undeniable midwest swag.

It’s as good as gold when this Chi

town trio get together in the studio.

The musical fusion that they create is

real, raw, and life imitating art at its

best. As advocates of storytelling and

representing what they live everyday,

their first single “Do ya Thang” truly

paints a vivid picture of realism. It’s

like an episode of True Life minus the

background music and narration. With

influences from the late lyricist B.I.G

and G-Unit’s Lloyd Banks, the Cutty

Boyz are ready to make a name for

themselves may it be mainstream or

underground. Identifying themselves

as the group to cut the game and

separate the real from the fake Young

Trap, Jimmy, and $Q claim to be the

complete package the game has

been missing. With different

personalities, ages, and backgrounds,

the Cutty Boyz turn to Toine Tracks to

put that Midas touch on their style.

Establishing their belief in fans

downloading their music, the

definition of a rapper, and the reason

why women shouldn’t take it personal

if they use them in their songs, there

is no in between. They’re about as

real as they come. In the middle of the

afternoon post class and tangled in

the downtown evening rush, The

Cutty Boyz prepare to dish out their

goals for the mix tape they’re getting

together and where they see

themselves five years from now. In

preparation for the summer, they plan

on bringing the heat before daylight

savings times ends..

CUTTY BOYZ

Young Trap, Jimmy, & $Q:“We want to cut the whole game and separate the real from the fake.”

“We come from the underground, we want to be like UGK.”


We aint never selling out. We will always contribute.

LEVEL UP Why does the

industry need a group like you?

JIMMY We’re the complete

package. We come from diverse

backgrounds. We combine that east

coast, midwest, and down south flavor

all in one.

What artists influenced this

diversity?

$Q: B.I.G because he was a

storyteller and he came with

metaphors in his rhymes.

Jimmy: I would have to say B.I.G

too because when he first came in the

game, he was different and he

remained that way until he died.

Young Trap: Lloyd Banks

influenced me to start rapping because

of his punch lines.

With the work you’ve put in at

the studio, how do you feel about

bootleggers and internet pirates?

Jimmy: We don’t have a problem

with people downloading our music.

$Q: It doesn’t matter how the fans

are getting our music, what matters is

that they are listening. As long they

quote my verse, I’m cool wit it.

Young Trap: I think it does have an

effect on the industry. I like all my fans.

White people, I love you.

What’s your definition of a

rapper?

Jimmy: A rapper is a storyteller,

somebody that paints you a picture

with words and entertains.

How has your experience been

with Toine Tracks in the studio and

getting your single recorded?

We like working with him. He’s a

great engineer and promoter.

Young Trap: We saw his flier on the

train and called him up and been

working with him ever since then.

How long have you been

working with him? Since the fall of

2007.

What’s the longest you’ve been

in the studio with Toine?

Jimmy: Man, sometimes it feels

like we do 8 hour shifts like we at work.

[laughs]. The times vary but it’s usually

between 3 and 4 hours.

As a group, what’s currently in

the works?

Young Trap: As a group we want to

drop 2 albums per year, jump on mix

tapes, and record. I got enough bars to

do it. As long as we got Toine with us,

it can get done.

Jimmy: Everything we put out we

go hard on and give the fans 100%

That’s our main goal right now.

In 5 years, where do you see

yourselves?

Jimmy: We want to have two

albums done and be in the position to

put on other artists.

$Q: Signing checks.

Young Trap: Starting a clothing

label and having a couple of

businesses.

Let’s be honest, most artists in

the rap game are mainstream, will

you follow the trend?

Jimmy: We will never sell out, we

will always contribute to our

community.

Stereotypically, rappers

represent women in a negative light.

Booty shaking on videos creates an

expectation for all women to do the

same, how do you feel about this?

Jimmy: Different songs have

different topics. Obviously, we will use

the type of lyrics that describe what we

are talking about. We call ‘em like we

see ‘em and if you’re not that, then

don’t get mad.

Young Trap: Women don’t get mad

when 50 cent takes his shirt off but are

upset when women do the same thing,

it’s a double standard. We all know sex

sells.

$Q: Like Jimmy said, we call them

like we see them whether it’s for good

or bad.

“WHEN I MAKE IT,I’M PERFORMING IN IRAQ BUT JUST FOR THE SOLDIERS.”


Quintell Wright“I want to put truth in my music rather its funny or serious. People can either love me or hate me for it.”


QUINTELL WRIGHTFrom the hood to downtown, Quintell Wright is representing truth, energy, and the notion of thinking outside the box in his music. With his firt single “Dougie Fresh,” Quintell isn’t talking about the actual rapper but reflecting back on fresh, fun, and funky times of the 90’s.

From the gate, Quintell Wright is

telling it like it is and bringing back the

hip hop swagger that has been lost in

the flood of bling and half dressed

women. Originally from the south side

of Chicago, Wright emphasizes how

one shouldn’t let where they come from

have an affect on the way they act and

what they rap about. A trip to the

Caribbean last semester really opened

his eyes up to how the media affects

the minds of our population. “ “From

Sunday to Thursday, I traveled the

Caribbean and noticed that all of the

images we see on Save The Children

commercials and in the newspapers

wasn’t everywhere. I saw people who

were well dressed and not starving. It

were kids walking around with fresher

air ones than me.” The truth is, all that

we know should not be what is told to

us. On a foggy Friday afternoon, I’m

sitting at the Toine Tracks headquarters

and getting ready to interview Columbia

College student Quintell Wright. We

instantly get into a deep discussion

about Englewood, Obama, and the

importance of versatility and truth.


LEVEL UP Has college life

influenced what you rap about?

QUINTELL WRIGHT College does

influence the way I rap. I’m from

Englewood, the worst hood on the

southside, but just because you come

from there doesn’t mean you have to

reflect the ignorance you see.

So how did you meet Toine and

what do you like about his style? I

met Toine in the summer of 2007

through my friend Clay Reeves. He

was recording a joint with another

artist and I noticed he would be useful

in helping me with my dreams. We

linked up and have been cool ever

since. Toine gets his creative input

without overshadowing my style. If he

doesn’t like something, he’ll be brutally

honest about it. His beats are so

energetic and every beat I’ve heard is

random, it has no limits, it’s free.

Who do you consider your

competition and how are you

better? I’m nowhere near mainstream,

but at this point it doesn’t matter. If

[they] want to, they can bring it.

Listening to your tracks, I get a

sense of this rap philosophy. What’s

your inspiration? Through music, I

speak for people who can’t really

speak for themselves on a public level.

People laugh at comedians because

it’s true and they can relate or know

someone that does what the comedian

is talking about. I want to put the truth

in my music if it’s funny or serious.

They can love me or hate me for it.

Why “Dougie Fresh” for your

first single? I wanted to pay homage

to the the rappers from the 80’s and

90’s. Dougie Fresh was a cool mc and

people want to be like him.I know this

cat from Atlanta who has a fresh swag

and it inspired me to combine

everything together into a song.

What are the top five songs on

your playlist right now? I listen to

everything almost... my top five would

have to be Kayne- “Flashing Lights,”

Lupe Fiasco- “The Cool,” Gym Class

Heroes- “Viva la White Girl,” Shawty

Lo-“They Know Remix,” and Chris

Brown- “Take You Down.”

That’s a pretty good mix. Who

are your personal influences? Pharell

Williams. He’s a black suburban

producer who grew up around white

folks but is diverse because of his

creativity in music. For every song he’s

made for Britney Spears, he’s made

one for Jay- Z. He represents pop,

R&B, and hip-hop.

Pharell is most def. versatile. It

seems like you are into people who

have distinctive style. What will you

bring to the table? Something new

and refreshing. My flow isn’t boring.

It’s similar to being back in the 90’s

when it was more about creativity. I’m

a rapper but I feel like music can’t be

categorized. My music is about

clubbing, political consciousness, etc.

Some people say I contradict myself in

music but not one person is the same

24/7. We only have a main side that we

show more than the other. I know

people who don’t want to expand, but

I’m not sticking to one genre.

“NEVER INVEST TIME INTO PEOPLE

WHO DON’T INVEST TIME IN YOU.”


Benard Boss Penson:“You have to treat everyday like your last.”


BERNARD “BOSS” PENSONToine Track’s very first A&R rep is keeping the hustle alive and pushing hard to get everybody in Toine Tracks that extra push they need to get noticed. Call him the boss because he knows what sells.

Rick Ross may be the boss on

the charts, but A&Rs are just as

important as the artist who work their

craft on the mic. This Englewood

native is driven and focused on a

long time relationship with the music

industry. Today, you can see him all

around Chicago promoting Toine

Tracks and seeking artists interested

in being part of the new era of music

production and promotions. Mr.

Shaw proclaims promoting is his life

and he is dedicated to the hustle.

Getting the job done has always

come naturally for Benard. As a

Gage Park alumni, he and Toine

tracks were associates and linked up

last year.

“It’s our role to educate our kids.”


LEVEL UP Why are you interested in promoting Toine Tracks?

BENARD SHAW I feel like it’s an opportunity for us to work together as a team. Since I’m always traveling in the streets, I figured I might as well promote. I knew him since high school and we were cool.

Why music? Why not promote

movies or plays? Music is in my DNA.

I love music, that’s why I chose this

industry.

Who’s your favorite artist and

how have they influenced you do

want to do what you do. Biggie

because he stood up for all the big

guys out there. He had good music

and punch lines but was so ahead of

his time when he was alive. Today we

can understand him but back then I

think he was misunderstood lyrically.

2Pac and Jodeci were also some

favorites for me from back in the day.

Presently, 50 has motivated me

because of his work ethics. Just like

BIG, he’s ahead of his time and has

good music. What’s an average day

for you? Some days I work and then I

have class twice a week. When I

promote, I promote, that’s all I think

about.

Musically, where do you see

Chicago and the industry in the next

5 years? The south is running it right

now. Everybody is tired of all the beef

music. I think its about being creative

and making good club music. Miami is

runnin’ it too. Rick Ross built a whole

team down there. I think [we] got good

music too, but right now it’s not our

time. There will be a day when dozens

of artists will be coming from Chicago.

It’s just right now people don’t know

how to have fun anymore and it’s too

many haters. We should all support

each other to build a musical empire.

What’s your take on piracy and

the decline in CD sales? The better a

CD is, the more it will sell. The industry

really needs to bring down the price. I

know plenty of people who want to

buy the newly released CDs from their

favorite artists but they don’t have the

money to buy them. Bootleggers are

taking millions from the music industry.

We gotta go cheaper and come with

better material.

It seems to me like you have a

strong work ethic, what motivates

you? A quote that I live by is “ as long

I’m breathing, don’t stop.” That’s what

keeps me grounded.

You’re putting in so much work

for this cause but isn’t hip-hop dead

to some people? Hip-hop isn’t dead.

It’s alive. The people who say it’s dead

are the ones who have low CD sales.

Ok, since you’re really good at

promoting, how would you sell...a

worthless vacuum? I would sit down

and find out something unique about

it. I would then use what I learn as a

way to show my knowledge of the

product.

So you’re a researcher? Yeah.

How do you feel about young

children listening to rap music and

what affect do you think it has on

them? It depends on the environment.

Some kids can understand that it’s

entertainment and you have some kids

that actually do it. I believe that as

parents it’s our role to educate our

kids and remind them that what they

see in the media is simply

entertainment. A child might watch

Scarface a million times and not do

what he does. As adults we have a

role in a child’s understanding of real

life and fantasy.

“Bootleggers are taking millions from the music industry.”


“It’s time for us to educate ourselves and seek the truth about who governs us.”It started with a video on the cyber community

website YouTube and sparked a nerve in the veins

of Freddie Williams, better known as Toine Tracks.

Many of you have probably already heard that

Zeitgeist Movie is one of the most downloaded and

watched documentaries online to date. If you

haven’t seen it, you’re missing out on having that

“aha” moment. The light switch will flicker the entire

time you watch the images and take in the deep

indulged voice of the narrator. One of the many

issues discussed was legislation to push a National

I.D. better known as Real I.D. Ready to launch in

May of 2008, this national identification system will

combine your state i.d. and driver’s license. There

will also be a scan’able’ bar with your information

linked to it. This I.D. will be necessary for you to

travel and many states including Illinois opposes it.

A recent article in Parade magazine outlines some

details. You can find it on www.parade.com and be

sure to YouTube or Google it for more information.

Peace and Victory:

A movement for our generation.The movement has now begun and it calls for truth seekers to elevate their own minds and the minds of others to become more conscious of what is going on locally and beyond.

LITERATURE AND FILM: 1984 SICKO MY BLOODY LIFE:THE MAKING OF A LATIN KING

ZEITGEIST

George OrwellA chilling classic that can also be rented from Chicago Public Library if you’re a more visual person.

Michael MooreWhile it’s controversial, our healthcare industry is truly unsystematic. Learn about it for the good of us all.

Reymundo SanchezThis Puerto Rican Chicago native tells all in this narrative of gang life,survival,and the importance of bettering yourself.

Peter JosephThe importance of being informed is explored in this 2 hour must see documentary.

EDUCATE &

ELEVATE


http://www.parade.com

http://www.parade.com

“The music industry should

be a portal into another universe

of consciousness that we all

deserve to have. Knowledge is

something that no one can take

away from you and it’s vital to

always want to know what is

going on around you.” B. Ward

Level Up Podcast

In the next coming months,

Toine Tracks will be hosting a

monthly podcast available for

free on iTunes. The discussions

will vary from current events to

what local Columbia R&B/Rap

artists are doing.

You Tube

If you want to see the mad

scientist in the studio and get to

see how the magic is made with

various artists under T.T., tune in

and subscribe to Toine’s

viral videos. Simply go to

www.youtube.com and

in the search menu type

ToineTracks.

Tech Talk with Toine

Toine wants to expand his

knowledge of audio technology

to everyone in the second

edition of Level Up. He invites

you to write in or email with all

your tech questions. He will also

be giving tips on updating and

maintaining your Mac lap or

desk top.

Invisible Children &

national consciousness

The genocide and terror in

many African nations should be

brought to light. Thanks to a

group of college students, the

Invisible Children movement has

gained national awareness.

Toine Tracks is currently

working in the lab to create

musical awareness for the

Invisible Children cause. As a

movement, we are all pushing

to get more attention to other

places like Congo, where more

than 45,000 people have fallen

victim to the political unrest in

their villages. Go to:

www.invisiblechildren.com and

http://www.genocidewatch.org/

GenocideEmergencyIturi.htm to

learn more about what you can

do.

LEVEL UP YOUR MIND!Check out what’s in the works and become a part of our community.

Contacting Toine Tracks:

email: [email protected] or

[email protected]

Contacting B. Ward:email:

[email protected]

MySpace

• www.myspace.com/antoinetracks

• www.myspace.com/drewyung1

Artists are currently updating their

pages. Myspace information will be

available in a couple of months. If you

want to contact them, please get in

touch with Toine to get their information.

LEVEL UPChicago, IL

*an independent student publication*


http://www.youtube.com

http://www.youtube.com

http://www.invisiblechildren.com

http://www.invisiblechildren.com

http://www.genocidewatch.org/GenocideEmergencyIturi.htm




mailto:[email protected]






http://www.myspace.com/antoinetracks




http://www.myspace.com/drewyung1




“You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.”

Good ‘ol honest Abe was getting

at something when he proclaimed this

truth.The irony behind his statement

lies in the history lesson that he freed

slaves when in reality, his own wife’s

family were slave owners and he made

the move for political ad possibly

personal reasons [the controversy of

his birth mother being a slave has yet

to be discussed]. Having watched

Zeitgeist has not only angered me, but

has justified the non-traditional way I

was raised and educated. As editor-in-

chief, the opportunity to

be a part of the movement

has given me the drive to

find out the truth not only

for myself, but for others

who are unaware of what

is going on. As a future

educator, I find it vital to

educate the masses, free

of charge. Letting go of

racial and socioeconomic

issues truly uncovers

what’s most important.

Survival. In light of 9/11,

Katrina, and now the Real

I.D. Act,we really have to

organize as young people to let our

government know that they will no

longer keep the wool over our eyes.

How many realities have to be

uncovered for us to see that we are

living in the end times of

privacy,adequate healthcare, free

education, and freedom of speech? As

citizens, we have the right to question

any and everything the people in power

tell us. We are facing the age of

fascism and total control over every

part of our lives if we stay complacent.

-B. Ward

LEVEL- UP


Level-Up!

AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION

Level-Up

AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION

level-up! magazine vol 1. issue 1 2008

Documents

art of beat

timetoine tracks

fierce tracks

beat master

level of musical consciousness

chicago native

beat maker

windy city