the acronym c.o.r.e. stands for chicago's organization of rap (hip-hop) entertainment. it now stands as a cooperative organization of (conscious) rap (hip-hop) entertainers, with membership extending to the suburbs. c.o.r.e. and core music foundation was founded by yakira levi (also known as yakira james. the core concept was conceived in 1994. in 1996, the network formed a student chapter sponsored by columbia college chicago.