Words, Beats & Life is a Hip Hop non-profit founded back in 2002. In its 20+ years, it has evolved and expanded, offering classes, workshops, showcases, festivals and conferences, not to mention creating the first peer-reviewed academic Hip Hop journal, and now, anointing the first ever 'rap laureate.' (SPOILER ALERT: It's Lupe Fiasco.)

Under the leadership of founding executive director, Mazi Mutafa, WBL has created something of a blueprint for how a Hip Hop-based non-profit should operate. While they are primarily focused on the Washington D.C. area, it's clear that their impact has been felt far and wide.

On the cusp of their 7th Words, Beats & Life Festival, Mazi joined Manny Faces for a conversation about all of these evolutions and revolutions.

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Hip-Hop Can Save America! with Manny Faces is a Manny Faces Media production, in conjunction with The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy.

Links and resources:

Show website: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com

Manny Faces: https://www.mannyfaces.com

Newsletter (free!): https://mannyfaces.substack.com

SUPPORT QUALITY INDIE HIP HOP JOURNALISM: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfaces

Manny Faces Media (podcast production company): https://www.mannyfacesmedia.com

The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy: https://www.hiphopadvocacy.org

SPONSORS / FRIENDS

The Mixtape Museum: https://www.mixtapemuseum.org

Hip-Hop Hacks: https://www.hiphophacks.com

Hip-Hop Can Save America! is produced, written, edited, and distributed by Manny Faces.

Eternal thanks to Consulting Producer, Sommer.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsor shoutout