level-up! magazine issue 3
DESCRIPTION
The third issue of LeveL-Up! Magazine featuring Drew Yung, J Bake, Black Wing Orchestra, and more.TRANSCRIPT
Achievers ‘08Lorem Ispum School
L e v e L - U p !Where Underground Is Mainstream ™
™
Drew Yung
Katz Company
Black Wing OrchestraJ-Bake
April/June 2009 Issue 3
J Gridges
CEO BusinessNew World Order?
360 Madness
Indie Stylin’
Rejoice! Spring hath arrived!
Photography by: ELIZABETH KINDIG
Jacket: LONG TRAN
Model: NATALIA L.
Level-Up! Magazine April/June 2009
Contents
On The Cover
12 Drew Yung: Keepin’ the Chi BUMPIN’
CHANGE?
Tyranny or Sovereignty
Cell Phones
inNaughty Places
Up Front 6
16
20
21
Behind The Mix14
CEO Business
15
Level-Up! Magazine April/June 2009
arch 2009 marks the one-year anniversary of the seed idea that took the physical form of a magazine. Like watching a child grow, there is
some ounce of pride that you have, even though you know that this awesome walking, talking person was a divine occurrence, the cosmos at its best. As
the creators of Level- Up! our ideas; from mind to form have now manifested into
something we can share with you. If you were wondering, it took a 6 month hiatus to get our minds, team,
and spirit together. We have carried our ideas and put blood sweat and
tears into laboring over every aspect of the publication. Now that this idea has translated into print form, it is your
turn to stand back and admire our creation: Level-Up! Magazine. This issue marks our official introduction
to the public and we’re proud that we can share with you our passion for educating and networking with others in the industry. I once heard
someone say, “if you don’t work, you don’t eat.” Juggling school, work, and a million other things on the plate of life, we have finally made it to the glory. With that being said, if you are reading this right now, you are
what keeps our team “fed.” Much love to the underground hustle! We will continue to shine the light on your talents! Enjoy!
British Ward Editor-in-Chief/Co founder
LeveL-Up! Magazine April/June 2009
A SELF-PUBLISHED MAGAZINE
EDITOR’S NOTE
Subscribe online!www.myspace.com/levelupzine
$16.50/yr.
ISSN # 1938-2308Copyright © 2009 by Level-Up! Magazine. Level-Up! Magazine is Trademark & All rights
reserved. Printed in the United States of America.
THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS
Publishers: Freddie Williams & British Ward
Editor-in-Chief: British WardCreative Director: Freddie Williams
Writers: Max Trevino, British Ward, & Freddie Williams
Photographers:
John HamblinWebsite: www.jonhamblin.comDon HorneWebsite: donhorne.com/photography
Elizabeth KindigWebsite: elizabethkindig.comSteve Arpon630. 697. 4764
Eric Winfield*Email Level-Up! Magazine
Fashion:Jewelry design: Alex Leamy Website: www.chic33designs.com
.Fashion Design: Long Tran pp. 2 & 19 Website: www.longzone.net
Hat Design: Beckett McMahan pp. 22
Website: www.beckettmcmahan.com
Make-up Artist: Aiga Jekabsone pp.18,19
Website: myspace.com/ajmakeup Make-up Artist: Kal Marshell pp.5
email: [email protected]
Spokes-Model: Rosette Jarrielt Models: Jackie Elliott, Rachel Pierce,Megan DiMonda, Kadiatu Jallou,
Mariceia Tapia & Nataliya Lovchikova
Layout/Design: Freddie Williams
Co. Founder British Ward
C.E.O & Marketing Director
Freddie WilliamsFor Advertising: email us at:
M
Peace & Victory
Meet the Level-Up! spokesmodel Rosette J. You can find her hosting artist interviews, videos, blogs, performances, and much more on our YouTube channel LevelUpMagazineTV
Photography by: ERIC WINFIELD
Makeup: KAL MARSHELLLevel-Up! Magazine April/June 2009 5
Level-Up! Magazine April/June 2009Up Front
Photography by Don Horne
Photography by Don Horne
J Bakesits down with Level-Up! and shares his rhymes, history, and plans for the future....
It’s a late afternoon and typical cold, crappy weather brings in Chicago native John Baker, or as he explains as his stage alias J Bake. “I had so many names and it’s crazy cause the name I’m going by right now is my real name with some letters taken out,
John Baker. So I just did that, got it tatted on my arm, made it official. That’s my copyright, you feel me?” While solo rap artist and Block Lock Entertainment member has always been a fan of music and performing, he began writing and recording in 2003. Uniquely enough, Bake doesn’t rap just because it’s something he wants to do, “divine intervention” is to blame for his
desire to make raps and rhymes golden. His first album published under Block Lock Entertainment In Due Time set to be released this summer, features one interesting titled song; “Aint no Water in that Bottle.” “Me and my man Byron used to
always make up songs and I came up with the hook and just ran with it.” Gracing us with the hook of the song was among the favorite parts of the afternoon interview along with an impromptu freestyle about everything under the sun including our top verse “once again my rhetoric is bigger than a elephant.” The second single from In Due Time, “What’s it gon be?” featuring
D4 will be promoted for radio play and is dedicated to the ladies. Catch him performing at open mics around Chicago or hit him up at myspace.com/jbakeblocklock. 6
J Grigdes
Taking multitasking to its very ends, The Juiceman aka DJ Juice is not only on the 1’s and 2’s spinnin hot tracks via UIC radio, he’s behind the mic gracing us with his other talent....”lyric spitter extraordinaire.” Lucky for us, Juice is here to stay, devoting all
of his time to making the listening experience for music admirers unforgettable. On the DJ side, the Juiceman has been keeping the party jumping for over ten years. At the tender age of thirteen, Juice began collecting any and everything related to music that he could get his hands on. His parent’s vinyls were among the most valuable contributions to his career. This love for music
would lead Juice into the prime of his career, with numerous gigs all around Chicago and an invitation to the largest DJ organization in the United States, Core DJs. With his DJ career on point and flourishing, in 2008, Juice released the mixtape
Outside Lookin In, hosted by DJ Noodles. We gotta admit, his first shot at rapping makes it look easy. The debut track “Big Wheels” is currently being promoted along with mixtape Get in Tune Radio hosted by Juice and DJ Moondawg. Lucky for you, both albums are available on Juice’s DJ mysapce page at myspace.com/juicemanhoe or you can download the entire mixtape at
http://www.datpiff.com/DJ_Juice_The_Juiceman_Get_In_Tune_Radio_Volume.m31817.html. JGridges, the second persona of Juiceman is getting ready to release his very first album, along with promoting not one, but three singles including “Summertime
Heat,” “Let’s Roll,” and “I Just Want to Party.” Get ready to be wowed by the veteran flow and versatility. See myspace.com/jgrigdes or get a taste of Juice’s album collection @ http://www.projectopus.com/juice. “Step up and get stepped on.”
“Summer
Level-Up! Magazine April/June 2009
timeHeat”
7
Katz CompanyPhotography by
JON HAMBLIN
Move over Plain White Tees, it’s a new Delilah in
town and her name is Madeline! A fracture to the
theme of 2001 Britney Spears’ hit “Lucky,” “Madeline” is the first single and non-depressing
version from self-titled album Katz Company Music. Catchy and addicting, “Madeline” has a unique sound reminiscent of a warm summer day
accompanied by a cool cup of Italian ice, two spoons. According to newbie artist/producer/
songwriter, titles for songs such as “Madeline” are “impulsive” little additions to a great song and don’t require half the fuss and confusion that many
20 word sentence like tracks create. “If I didn’t write my own songs, I would probably go crazy.”
He professes this with a definite seriousness. A freshman at Columbia College, and graduate in
the art of making music, Alex Katz kept us company and happened to belt out a few songs for our listening pleasure. Originally from our
nation’s capital and born into a musically inclined family of four, Alex’s first taste of the limelight was
his second grade talent show performing “I Love Rock and Roll.” From then on, Katz began dabbling in live music playing guitar for local
bands in D.C. After about a year of playing musician, Katz decided to “quit his old band” and
make the DIY opportunity a reality. With his prized possession on deck; 2008 Fender American Deluxe Fat Strat, Alex has been putting in hard
work to lay down the foundation for his future in the industry. The Katz Company demo has been in
the works for about a year with tracks including “Fire,” and “Madeline.” Today, he is putting the finishing touches on his first self-released album
that he recently finished recording. Getting the
mixing and mastering treatment, the full album will
be available on iTunes and the likes by April 2009. If you’re too antsy to wait until then, contact Katz
at myspace.com/katzcompanymusic where you will find his totally interactive site and unique sense of style or if you’re a FB fanatic, search: katz
company. He is even willing to personally mail you the album. Taking the cliché and putting a Alex
Katz spin on it, it’s clear that this newbie is here to stay!
Level-Up! Magazine April/June 2009 9
B l a c k W i n g O r c h e s t r a
Tattoos, and wings, and orchestras.
Oh my! It’s only rare that you meet a band with such interesting qualities and drive to make their fans have a good time. Black Wing Orchestra, a five member true- to- the number band and proclaimed buddies stand
out above the average follow-the-trend-bands. The Bridgeport Chicago based rock band are stranger than fiction with the manner in which they started; THE ATTIC!
Since coming together nearly three years ago, Black Wing has been busting their bums in the studio making music all the while growing as a group and focusing on keeping the circle tight. It’s interview day, a
car loaded with five rambunctious guys pull up. The icicles, snow, and sleet are in full effect. Lucky for Level-Up! the gentlemen were ecstatic on sharing how far they’ve come in their young years of being a band.
I know I made a comment that you guys
sounded like a mix between Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots. In the past, have people ever compared you to mainstream bands?
As far as music goes, we’ve gotten like Seether, Nickelback, Metallica, just alot of stuff like that mainly because of the vocals and the music is kind of heavy but simple you know?
What song did you guys work the hardest
on that you’re most proud of? I think the one song that would just be our most proud song would have to be “Let Me In” which is a song we don’t play often
anymore but is the first song we ever wrote as a band and are so proud of.
I know I heard somebody mention that they’ve written a song, do you guys all write your own songs and then play
them?There are certain songs that one person
had more of a hand in writing than the other but pretty much in 100 percent of our songs, somebody will come in with an idea and
we’ll all sit down and work it all out. All of us contribute a lot. It’s all the same we work as a team.
Some people consider themselves punk
or rock, what category would you say you fall under?
We can’t give ourselves a genre because we’re really not tied down to anything. We’re waiting on everyone else to give us a genre.
That's how it works. Bands can always say “we’re this or that” but it’s the people listening to your music that tell you what you are. Our interest in music is just so different and it’s probably the best thing though, if
you have someone who likes just one genre you’re going to have that same type of sound. You have to be open-minded. If it sounds good, we’re playing it.
If you guys had the opportunity to
perform at a summer festival like the Warp Tour or Lollapalooza what would be your top choice?
Ozzfest! No matter what tour we’re on,
playing music makes us happy. We don’t care if we’re playing for one person or one thousand people. We’ve had a show and have played for three people.
Really? Could you guys tell me a little bit more about that?
We traveled not too far but a good distance; it was a bowling alley in Joliet. We
went all the way down there, and we go through this basement to this arcade. The band that’s playing is all like twelve year olds and all their fans are twelve. We’re sitting there thinking that this is the worst book
ever. At the end of the night, we played the last set and there were three people left. One of them was like the owner of the bowling alley. Things happen but you still have to put as much energy into performing. Because
that one bartender or manager might want to bring you back. You’ll never catch us turning down a show. We’ve gone from playing at the Double Door, to playing in somebody’s backyard.
What separates you from your competitors? All of our interests. You’ll find a band that has been together since childhood and they will grow up go through all these phases and play this music. With all
of us, we grew up together but we kind of didn’t. We were all in bands before we became a band. What makes us different is that we don’t play what everyone like. Right now, the hottest thing out there is heavy
metal; people screaming at the top of their lungs to heavy riffs, music that scares you. It’s different because it’s what we like and not what people like. That’s why we have songs that sound completely different. We
don’t stay in one genre.
Photography by Jon Hamblin
“Our music is definitely more technical and melodic than it was in the past.”
TOM MIKE CASEY DAVID G.
DAVID
Level-Up! Magazine April/June 200910
For more info about BWO, or to listen to their music, contact them @ myspace.com/blackwingorchestra.
Level-Up! Magazine April/June 2009Market WatchBy:MAX TREVINO
The 360 deal in the music business, also known as
a “multiple rights deal,” has brought about a lot of
concern for both established and aspiring
musicians. For readers both familiar or not with the
deal, I will refresh its details. The 360 deal is
essentially a contract drafted by record labels in
which they are entitled to receive a percentage from
all of an artist’s earnings, not just from the
traditional record sales. To summarize exactly what
all of an artist’s earnings include let’s just say
EVERYTHING! Concert revenues, merchandising,
endorsements, and ringtones, all which were once
off limits to the label, are now fair game. Thinking
twice about signing on the dotted line yet? Not so
fast!
It is fairly easy to criticize the 360 deal, but if the
record labels make good with the opportunity they
have created it may not be so bad after all. In return
for the new revenues that labels will receive, they
must commit more time to their artist’s
development and career. There will be longer
periods of promotion as well as career opportunities
for the artist that the label will be responsible for
developing, hence artist development. Artist
development is an industry operation that as of
lately has not been put to good use, at least in my
opinion. Lately, the literal song-and-dance
approach to popular music has only worked to sell
records and create less than longevity for artists. If
carried out correctly, the 360 deal will help manage
an artist’s career along with focusing on the aspect
of selling records since it is still a business.
Among the well-known artists out there that have
supported the 360 deal are fan favorites like U2,
Madonna, and Jay-Z. The New York Times reported
details of the Jay-Z contract in conjunction with
concert promoter Live Nation worth a cool $150
million. The deal would include financing for
entertainment ventures, acquisitions, and other
investments as well as all music related dealings.
The deals work well for artists like those mentioned.
As for the up-and-comers, there may not be much
of a choice with the 360 becoming commonplace in
major label contracts. Whether the labels are
making the artist front the bill for an industry that
has seen better days, or revolutionizing their
approach to the music and the business is a
process still at work. To all the artists out there, just
be sure you have all of your angles covered!
Music Revenue
The 360 Deal: All Angles Covered! Deal or No Deal?
By: Freddie W.
Hungry artists out there need an outlet for
showcasing and gaining notoriety for their music.
With the convenience of technology and the ability
to reach masses of people, now is the time to make
your mark in the industry. While there are talented
folks out there, the over saturation in the industry is
partly to fault for people who think that just because
the technology is there, they should try their hand at
being a singer, rapper, producer, etc. For all you
guys and gals out there who understand that being
in the industry is a life long commitment and are
interested in profiting from the fruits of your labor,
make sure you do ample research on all the options
available to you. When deciding what route to take
in the music game, you have about the same
choices as a kid at the Willy Wonka chocolate
factory. The key here is choosing the route specific
to your needs and desires. First, get a good grasp
on publishing, or the marketing, promotion, and
publication of your music. Ask yourself, what route
do I want to take? If you decide to sign with a
publisher, seek someone who has an established
track record and who will vigorously market and
promote your music. With that being said, this
choice is for someone who doesn’t have the time,
energy, or expertise for this particular area of his or
her career. If you’re on the ambitious side, DIY is its
own market. As the writer of your music, you own all
publishing and writing shares with the exception of a
co-writer. The shares are then divided between
yourself and the writer or producer. You also have
the options of boosting your presence through
ringtones, video games, downloads, mixtapes, DJ
gigs, merchandise, ghost writing, workshops, and
even doing collabos with other artists. The revenue
outlets mentioned above are sure to make you
marketable. The big bucks and benefits are in the
broadcasting media outlets such as movies,
television, home video, and commercials.
Synchronization, the integration of music and
visual images has it own set of fees called licensing
fees. YOU, the publisher would charge for its use in
any of the outlets mentioned above. The fees are
dependent on a few important “variables” such as,
your work’s popularity, the production company’s
budget, the length of time the song is played, and
whether the song is in the background or in action
with the movie. Working with production companies
will also lend you great expertise of how the media
sector in the industry works. While working on
gaining a name in the U.S. “over seas” global
marketing is yet another route to take to get that
worldwide presence. No matter what your choice,
you have the ability to create your own money
environment.
GO GETTA: PLAYNG THE FIELD
Book: This Business of Music Marketing & Promotion (Revised & Updated Edition) by TAD LATHROP/JIM PETTIGREW
PRODUCTION PACKAGES
$150SSP (SINGLE SONG PACKAGE)One custom beat mixed & mastered, recording time, and all inclusive promotional tools.
SourcesU.S. Copyright Office site:http://www.copyright.gov/
Performing Rights Organization ASCAP & BMI
The Film & Television Music Guide
Music Business Registrywww.musicregistry.com
SRDS TV & Cable Sourcewww.srds.com
Video Businesswww.videobusiness.com
Music ConferencesCMJ Music Marathon
www.cmj.com
Toine Tracks and engineer Paul Isenmann are teaming
up to provide indie artist with affordable packages.
ToineTracks/[email protected]
www.myspace.com/antoinetracks
$600E3 (EP PRODUCTION PROJECT)Five custom beats mixed & mastered, recording time, & marketing tools. Payment Plan Available
11
Paul Isenman/EngineerBleakaudio.com
Drew Yung
Level-Up! Magazine April/June 2009On The Cover
The Chicago streets were crowded with college students all freed from the
shackles of a too expensive education. Big B, Toine Tracks, and Drew Yung were in hustle mode. CDs packed in one
hand, fliers and sometimes a portable radio in the other; they started on their
journey. Sometimes not even realizing how powerful the art of marketing was, the three would begin promoting the
album with no definite sense of how well the whole plan would go. From
downtown Chicago to the laid-back indie community of Wicker Park, the trio found their niche, their meaning
for everything that was to come.
What a difference a year makes! The last time you tuned in, it
was March 2008 and new to the game Drew Yung was giving us the
skinny on music, art, and inspiration. His freshman EP In the Paint was in the pre stages of
distribution and Yung was fired up about the prospect of its success.
Unbeknownst to the young emcee, In the Paint would be proof he had a gift that the underground mass would want
a piece of. Largely gaining inspiration from his big brother's Timbo/Swizz Beat
inspired sounds, he decided to take a chance at the game we call hip hop. Unveiling his pent up hobby, he decided
to write to a track that his brother recorded for another artist. “It blew my
mind when I first heard Drew spit. I just thought, we gotta get him in the studio, ASAP, he doesn’t know his full
potential,” says a matter of fact Toine Tracks. Drew would soon realize that
this strong attraction to music would lend him a place in the public eye and in over thousands of CD players in
Chicago and beyond. Since sharing his love for music, Yung has hit the streets
running with the avenue of his heart and mind open on succeeding in this unpredictable and over saturated
industry. Three months after its release, In
the Paint, Drew Yung and his team successfully sold over 4,000 units in Chicago. During this time, Yung worked
from dusk to dawn planning, recording,
and assisting in the marketing of his EP.
“When we started running out of CDs and people would stop us on the streets asking us for the EP, I knew it wasn’t
gonna be the same summer it had been when I was just experimenting in the
studio for fun,” says rew Yung. Along with his street team “Big B” and Toine Tracks, they decided to form a tight
bond of kinship with the goal of exceeding the one hit wonders who
seem to effortlessly make the big leagues these days. After the large responses from In the Paint, Drew
stepped back in the studio and recorded the follow up EP Keepin’ It
Alive: The Mixtape Album. Wanting to make the listening experience even more authentic, Drew’s rugged and raw
lyrics laid on top of hard hitting beats
created an environment for listeners to ride, chill, and even freestyle to. Having
succeeded in reaching a specific niche of fans, via street marketing and myspace, Drew reminisces on how
powerful it is to get feedback from fans. “I love seeing people’s faces when I tell
them I’m an artist. It’s like they can’t believe I’m there, selling my CD.” After recording well over 25 tracks between
the summer and fall of 2008, DY is currently working on perfecting his
first official album The Chronotron. The Chronotron, set for release in May 2009 has features from some
of the best-kept secret talent in Chicago, including YV, Young Trap,
and much more. Yung is also playing up his comedic side with a parody of T.I.’s MTV hit show Road to
Redemption included in a DVD with the album. With a little something for
everybody on the upcoming album, those who are DY followers and
strangers alike can appreciate what
The Chronotron offers. “Chi bumpin,” “Drewski,” and “Keep it Comin”
constitute as guaranteed club bangers and iPod five starred favorites. Showing much change since In the Paint, Drew
has devoted everything to further his development as a known artist in the
industry of so many unknowns. So how can you get to know the man behind the Lil Wayne inspired verses with a
touch of Cassidy in his lyricism better? His street team has created various
avenues of contacting him that will keep you updated on his progress. Subscribe to Drew Yung’s music where you can
receive exclusive tracks, personal emails, and much more at
myspace.com/drewyung1. You can also contact Drew at:
Keepin’ it official: Drew Yung at the Level-Up! photo shoot
Oh!
12
Alias: Drew Yung
iPod Top Five:
1. Lil Wayne “The Sky is the Limit”
2. Drew Yung - “Drewski”
3. Cassidy - “Drink and my two Step”
4. T.I. - “What you Know”
5. Jim Jones - “We fly High”
Most embarrassing moment:
When I was young, I was pushed and hit
my head on a rock garbage can and
had to get 16 stitches.
Favorite quote:
“I’m doin it.”
Philosophy:
Without struggle there is no success.
Discograhy:
In the Paint circa 2008
Keepin’ It Alive: The Mixtape Album circa 2008
The Chronotron release in May 2009
Subscribe to Drew Yung’s Music TodayOnly $6.50/yr.
Limited Time offerUnlimited Songs & More myspace.com/drewyung1
T
DB B
Photography by Jon Hamblin
Q A& :
Behind The Mix Level-Up! Magazine April/June 2009
Photography by Don Horne
MoneyzDJ
DJ Moneyz aka Stan Zebel
has been gracing the
presence of club hoppers for
nearly a decade. Starting out
as a young child with
salvaged equipment, Dj
Moneyz turned what would
be thought of as a hobby
into a life long dedication to
the love of music. “My
inspiration was Grand
Master J.I saw him go on the
tables and do his thing and
ever since then, I feel in love
with the art.” There’s no
denying that DJ Moneyz is
true to the game with his
own company, Moneyz
Promotions, he shows no
signs of stopping. Moneyz is
currently busy at work
promoting local acts;
Gorny’s, Assimilation, and
Genius School. For party
booking contact Moneyz at:
Bringing the art back to sampling, Pittsburgh native and music producer Deonte aka
DKinney aspires to make a “soundtrack to life” with the help of his MPC 2000XL that is. Influenced by Just Blaze, The Heat Makers, Kanye West the
early years J Dilla, and A Tribe Called Quest, Kinney had his first production experience with a Dr. Groove Drum Machine freshman year of high school.
While some of us might be tired of the over saturation of synths in popular music, Kinney believes using a variety of samples and sounds create
unique tracks. Among his fave sounds, Kinney is partial to rock and soul samples. Doing most of his business via Internet, Kinney’s most recent track list
includes production with east coast based indie groups Double Dose and The Junkies. When asked if he could produce one person in the
game who would it be: “It would have to be Jay-Z and Lupe Fiasco.” Lucky for Chicago, our love of sampling via Ye and Twista has driven
Kinney to get a piece of the “go.” To get a sample of Kinney’s beats hit em up at myspace.com/dkinney86.
GENIUS SCHOOLMENAGERIE
MENAGERIE
Menagerie is the second full-length album by Chicago IL band Genius School, and will be self-released on the band’s own imprint You I Like Records in the spring of 2009. With grungy delightfulness, lead singer Jesse belts out tunes from songs with stranger than fiction titles including “Mary No Pants.” “Jenny the Foot,” Lego Man,” and the most auditory pleasing of them all; “Elephant.” No matter the subject or title of this six track album, the songs create a super chill atmosphere to rock out to or be square.
Dancer turned R&B act Andre B is back for the first time with his
upbeat single “Hit the Dance Floor.” Catchy and reminiscent of rap legend B.I.G.’s “Spit yo Game,” Andre B is
approaching the industry like a pro featuring new to the game female artist Remix and gaining
local appeal in Chicago and the burbs via his street promotional team. Catch him in action April 1 at Oakton
College.
Chicago’s own Juice man who started out on the 1’s and 2’s in the
late 90’s is switching it up with his first album Outside Lookin In hosted by Shadyville's own DJ Noodles of Fix
Your Face Radio on Sirius Hip-Hop Nation. With this being Juice’s first time introducing himself as an artist, he’s
no stranger to the biz. “Big Wheels,” Juiceman’s single from his mixtape is soon to be a summer ‘09
anthem eloquently idolizing the most popular mode of transportation, C-A-R-S.
Sound Foundation Entertainment solo artist Max T. spits gritty
realism via inspiration from the beloved city of the chi. As a solo rap underground artist, Max seamlessly
explores life and struggle taking us back to tha old school days. The first single from his untitled album “Real
Talk” journeys us through the daily grapple of man v.s. nature in a hip hop story telling style. “Real
Talk” is a soon- to- be classic. Keep your ears peeled.
myspace.com/wearegeniusschool
myspace.com/andre_b87
myspace.com/juicemanhoe
myspace.com/stanzebel
sfemusic@gmail
14
Level-Up! Magazine April/June 2009CEO Business“It’s about to get real heavy!” As the motto goes, Real Heavy Entertainment CEO Kevin “Wood”
Brown and Vice Prez Money Makin’ Looney are making a heavy print in the indie music business game. With a promotions team, production company, and clothing line, these
gentlemen aren’t afraid to attain their life long goal of establishing an official place for talented indie artists to join. There is definitely more to come as they are promoting various
artists including Crisis, Deeder, the Facebook King, and The In Crowd. If you want to see more that this twosome has to offer, hit them up at myspace.com/heavyent.
Photography by Don Horne
Meet the first solo hip hop artist to officially sign with promotions team G.U.A.P Head Entertainment. Fresh into the industry and working hard in the studio,
DEFINITELY is doing his lyrical exercise on two new tracks. Alias: DEFINITELYGenre: Hip-hop/Rap
411: myspace.com/definitely 06Quote: “I try to be extremely versatile with my music. I don’t like to put my music in just one category.”Upcoming singles: “Red Rarri” & “ Feelin’ my Drink.”To come: iTunes access to DEF’s music.
Hear more: @ wemix.com search: definitely Album: In the works! Hold tight!
Brother duo Damarco and Chris “Chief” Redd of G.U.A.P. Head Entertainment are keeping the family ties tight and going hard in 2009. Starting out as artists themselves, the decision to form a business out of their talents seemed to be the
inevitable if they wanted to have a greater impact on the industry. As Chief suggests, “artists aren’t getting signed unless they bring something to the table.” To the table both gentlemen bring multi faceted talents including modeling, hosting, promoting, and managing. Solely focusing on entertaining the mass of art lovers and appreciators, G.U.A.P Head has much in store this year. Their
modeling agency (which is still in the process of getting a proper name) has eight models on deck. Their promotions wing is currently working with artist DEFINITELY and consists of 5 producers, 1 writer, and one manager. For a crash course in the G.U.A.P biz, see myspace.com/chiefdolla. For any other inquiries, hit up manager David A at [email protected]. 15
Threadless Tees: Chi Town Vivid, colorful spring tees with delicious and sometimes outright random fonts, quotes, and pictures is truly a Threadless thing. Online or in the store, these tees are available in sizes XS-3X. Comfy and irresistible, you will most def want a few to flaunt alone or underneath a hoodie. Yes! Spring is finally here! Celebrate with a tee!
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Level-Up! Magazine April/June 2009
Tee Time!
3011 North Broadway StreetChicago, Illinois 60657 USA
Phone: (773) 525-8640
Tee 411:Left top: “Adventurer”
Model: Jackie E.
Right top: “Ade”
Model: Rachel P.
Bottom left: “Hungriest Hippo”
Model: Megan D.
Bottom right: “Once Upon a Time”
Model: Kadiatu J.
Tees up close!
Offering unique and breath taking designs, indie jewelry company Chic 33 has many noteworthy accessories and one-of-a-kind artwork for your neck, ears, wrists and fingers. To browse other “chic” creations, log onto:
www.chic33designs.comJewelry: Alex Leamy
Model: Maria TapiaMakeup Artist: Aiga JekabsonePhotography: Elizabeth Kindig
Level-Up! Magazine April/June 2009
~˚✺˚~
18
Level-Up! Magazine April/June 2009
Model: NATALIA L.
Photography by:
ELIZABETH KINDIG
Jacket by: LONG TRAN
Makeup: AIGA JEKABSONE
19
CHANGE? Peace & VictoryPeace & Victory
Use your Pen
When you hear the word freedom, what image(s) pop in your head? Can you smell, taste, touch, see, or hear freedom? Should our government protect our freedoms? Do you consider yourself free? However you put it, humans have been fighting for the right to be free since there was such an idea. Present day, 2009, it is hard to believe that “we the people” are still fighting for our God given rights and freedoms. Let us think back to the foundation of laws and human rights, first looking at The United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. As beautifully put, the Constitution declares our rights and solidly backs them with the power of the people and not the government. Vital to our freedom, both the second and fourth amendment is in danger of being illegally ratified unbeknownst to the people. It is our job to learn our rights and study the laws in place. Let’s fight to protect the rights that we do have. Let us take a look at a few established laws that are in place blatantly taking away the United State’s sovereignty, our sovereignty. Harsh it may seem, but once you experience abuse from the government, a violation of privacy, or any unconstitutional act against you, your actions and beliefs may change. The Second amendment, better known as the right to
bear arms is in danger of being illegally amended due to the establishment of the “No Fly List” created in 2003, in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The no fly list is a secret list of names of United States citizens who “fit” the characteristics of a terrorist. The criterion for being a terrorist has not been shared with the people. If even the authorities have the slightest hunch that you fit this category of terrorism you will go into the secret “no fly” database of terrorist and it will be rather difficult for you to get on a plane at any airport thereafter. Not only are adults detained and harassed, many children under the age of 8 who happen to have the same name of the alleged terrorist are treated as criminals. Imagine little 5-year-old Sam Adams being detained and treated like an enemy of the United States! Claiming that they are “protecting our civil liberties,” the government is doing a good job of pulling the wool over our eyes. It just doesn’t stop there, if you’re on the “no fly list” you are not allowed to purchase or possess guns, rifles, and ammunition,which is our constitutional right to bear arms. When was it alright for the government to determine if we deserved the right to protect our homes and families? What about the fourth amendment? Our right against
unreasonable searches and seizures?Within the last few years, checkpoints have been established along our nation’s border and highways. Under this checkpoint, the police can stop you, search your car, seize your belongings, and detain you if they suspect you as a terrorist. In a George Orwellian 1984 era, our freedoms are slipping away in front of our eyes. There is no more hiding the agenda; the powers that be are going strong, pull the wool away. A few months ago our nation experienced the change that we had been thirsting for. The not so popular George W sauntered into office uninvited by the American people and by the time he had left, our nation was in shambles with over 5,000 American troops and over a million innocent Iraqis murdered. The 44th President, Barak Obama promised hope and most important, CHANGE. Change that we would all see and believe in. While this sounds great, the question that we must ask ourselves is who thinks they are in power of our destiny? Is it Obama, our President of change and innovation to the world? Or is it the Federal Banks that seized the power over our entire nation from President Wilson in 1913? Is it the Bilderberg group, the elitist who has a known agenda? Fight injustice! Seek truth!
Level-Up! Magazine April/June 2009
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=9270
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/05/60minutes/main2066624.shtml
Sources:
http://www.infowars.com/
Martial Law New World Order
Real i.d
Chemtrails
RFID Chip
Sovereignty to Tyranny
By: B Ward
20
It was a typical day at the grocery store. Long lines, the smell of tea
brewing somewhere, and visually stimulating aisles of food for miles. Patiently waiting to purchase my food
goodies, I stood there, carelessly flipping though ODE Magazine. There
it was, in the very back; a tiny add with what looked like a human with warm and cool colors outlining its
body. Before protection, after protection it read.
It was almost as if the article jumped out and
said “hello, please read me.”
Not really sure what to take from this strange
ad, I copied the number down
and decided to call. An hour later, nestled in and
ready to figure out what that whole ad outlining-body-thing was about, I
dialed the out of state number. Nervously wondering if I had gotten myself into some “out there” occult
marketing scheme, she answered the phone: “This is Catherine,” the lady on
the other end said. The conversation I had with Catherine would lead me into a whole new way of thinking about
technology and approaching the way I used my cell phone forever. “I picked
up this magazine called ODE at the grocery store and saw your ad, I just wanted to know what it was about,” I
said, thinking to myself how silly and unsure I sounded. The warm and cool
color stuff I had seen was how our
bodies reacted to extended periods of cell phone usage. The culprit, she
explained is what’s emitted from the pretty packaging of cell phones that harm our bodies. ER (electromagnetic
radiation). Due to the delicate link between the human energy field and
the ER field, we are at great risk for serious health problems. As we plug in our iPods or chat for hours with our
ears glued to our cell phones, our bodies’ own bio
field is being stunned by the ER from these
devices. While this word may
seem like a bunch of mumbo jumbo, ER is
greatly affecting the lives of
millions and has been linked to
cancer, depression,
and disease, to name a few. The biological structure is immense and
vital to daily functioning. The trillion cells in our bodies communicate using low levels of electromagnetic energy.
This communication is as simple as sending messages to our brains for
biological and physiological processes. Because our bodies don’t recognize ER, the reaction is reduced
cell functioning. Our cells, not able to complete their natural cycle can’t let
the “good” stuff in like nutrients and oxygen and as you may have guessed
it, can’t let out the harmful agents such as toxins. Protecting your self from the abuse is key! See biopro.com
for more details.
You put your cell phone where?Behaving badly could cost you your health.
Level-Up! Magazine April/June 2009Tech Talk
Symptoms
EMR exposure: Constant headaches, irritability,
dehydration, stiff neck. etc
Effects: Cellular damage, health risks,
cancer, and more
Protection www.biopro.com
http://protectkidsfrom.emf411.com www.mybiopro.com Google: The Electro Pollution Solution
WoW!
21
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