THE COUNTERBALANCE

THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF WORDS BEATS AND LIFE

 

For The Culture

For The Culture

Music, Dance, Art & Events

Music, Dance, Art & Events

 

Arts Education

The Words Beats & Life Academy, Art Tutorials, and College Prep.

Social

Articles
Wednesday Wisdom Ep.10 | Building a Stronger Nonprofit from the Inside Out #wednesdaywisdom
Wednesday Wisdom Ep.10 | Building a Stronger Nonprofit from the Inside Out #wednesdaywisdom
You Must Learn: Hip-Hop Education On College Campuses
You Must Learn: Hip-Hop Education On College Campuses
Rooted in the Region, Rising Together
Rooted in the Region, Rising Together
The College Crisis
The College Crisis
Prakash Earns National Recognition
Prakash Earns National Recognition
Meet the Grand Slam Winner | WBL Fest 2025
Meet the Grand Slam Winner | WBL Fest 2025
From Academy Student to Academy Teacher: Jabulani's Inspiring Journey
From Academy Student to Academy Teacher: Jabulani's Inspiring Journey
After School in the City | Exploring DC’s After School Programs
After School in the City | Exploring DC’s After School Programs
A Conversation with DC DJ Geena Marie
A Conversation with DC DJ Geena Marie
The Power of Art in Advocacy and Social Change
The Power of Art in Advocacy and Social Change
Spring Break in DC
Spring Break in DC
Poetry Pro Tips: Amasa Maleski
Poetry Pro Tips: Amasa Maleski
Poetry Pro Tip: Sophia Hall Part 2
Poetry Pro Tip: Sophia Hall Part 2
Poetry Pro Tip: Allison Xu Part 2
Poetry Pro Tip: Allison Xu Part 2
Poetry Pro Tip: Sophia Hall Part 1
Poetry Pro Tip: Sophia Hall Part 1
Calligraffiti Workshop with Max Gibbons
Calligraffiti Workshop with Max Gibbons
How to create Sticker Art | Street Art Class #4
How to create Sticker Art | Street Art Class #4
How to create Sticker Art | Class #3
How to create Sticker Art | Class #3
Ribka’s Professional Poetry Tips
Ribka’s Professional Poetry Tips
How to create Sticker Art | Class #2
How to create Sticker Art | Class #2
Kicking the future off with a SLAM
Kicking the future off with a SLAM
Learn How to Beatbox with Free Online Masterclass
Learn How to Beatbox with Free Online Masterclass
Affording Your Future | College Material
Affording Your Future | College Material
Dive Into Street Art: Free 5-Week Online Course on Stickers
Dive Into Street Art: Free 5-Week Online Course on Stickers
Exclusive Interview with Patrick Washington: From OG of DC's Black Broadway to Director of Poetry at the Words Beats & Life Academy
Exclusive Interview with Patrick Washington: From OG of DC's Black Broadway to Director of Poetry at the Words Beats & Life Academy
Director Donney Rose Reflects on Progress of Fall Semester at Academy
Director Donney Rose Reflects on Progress of Fall Semester at Academy
A Poem From Our Educators That Every Student Needs to Hear
A Poem From Our Educators That Every Student Needs to Hear
Faith and Truth in Art with Poet David Jones | Alternative Break
Faith and Truth in Art with Poet David Jones | Alternative Break
Free Virtual Graffiti Class with Hip-Hop Pioneer and Educator Ultra
Free Virtual Graffiti Class with Hip-Hop Pioneer and Educator Ultra
Megan Truman's 'Like a Boss' Academy Course Helps Kids Reach CEO Status
Megan Truman's 'Like a Boss' Academy Course Helps Kids Reach CEO Status
 

Centering Marginalized Voices

Stories Representing All Of Us

Articles
Breaking Barriers: Conversations on Access, Art, and Truth | Something to Say (03-11-2025)
Something to Say Podcast
Breaking Barriers: Conversations on Access, Art, and Truth | Something to Say (03-11-2025)
Something to Say Podcast
Something to Say Podcast
Voices of Change: Art, Activism and Community Building | Something to Say 2-25-2025
Something to Say Podcast
Voices of Change: Art, Activism and Community Building | Something to Say 2-25-2025
Something to Say Podcast
Something to Say Podcast
Community Impact and Cultural Transformation | Something to Say (1-28-2025)
Something to Say Podcast
Community Impact and Cultural Transformation | Something to Say (1-28-2025)
Something to Say Podcast
Something to Say Podcast
Preserving Hip-Hop History and Protecting Arts Funding | Something to Say (03-04-2025)
Something to Say Podcast
Preserving Hip-Hop History and Protecting Arts Funding | Something to Say (03-04-2025)
Something to Say Podcast
Something to Say Podcast
Building Community Through Art | Something to Say (1-21-2025)
Something to Say Podcast
Building Community Through Art | Something to Say (1-21-2025)
Something to Say Podcast
Something to Say Podcast
Activism Through Education | Something to Say (1-14-2025)
Something to Say Podcast
Activism Through Education | Something to Say (1-14-2025)
Something to Say Podcast
Something to Say Podcast
Exploring the Intersection of Nerd Culture and Hip-Hop | Something to Say (11-19-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Exploring the Intersection of Nerd Culture and Hip-Hop | Something to Say (11-19-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Something to Say Podcast
Hip-Hop for the Community | Something to Say (11-12-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Hip-Hop for the Community | Something to Say (11-12-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Something to Say Podcast
Celebrating Youth Voices | Something to Say (10-29-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Celebrating Youth Voices | Something to Say (10-29-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Something to Say Podcast
Building Stronger Communities Through Art | Something to Say (10-08-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Building Stronger Communities Through Art | Something to Say (10-08-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Something to Say Podcast
The Evolution of Hip-Hop | Something to Say (10-01-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
The Evolution of Hip-Hop | Something to Say (10-01-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Something to Say Podcast
Healing Through Hip-Hop | Something to Say (09-24-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Healing Through Hip-Hop | Something to Say (09-24-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Something to Say Podcast
Uplifting Through Poetry | Something to Say (09-03-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Uplifting Through Poetry | Something to Say (09-03-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Something to Say Podcast
Creating Change With Art | Something to Say (08-27-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Creating Change With Art | Something to Say (08-27-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Something to Say Podcast
Celebrating Art, Advocacy, and Empowerment | Something to Say (07-23-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Celebrating Art, Advocacy, and Empowerment | Something to Say (07-23-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Something to Say Podcast
The Transformative Power of Art, Technology, and Social Justice | Something to Say (07-16-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
The Transformative Power of Art, Technology, and Social Justice | Something to Say (07-16-2024)
Something to Say Podcast
Something to Say Podcast
REVIEW | John Leguizamo’s The Other Americans
Dominic Painter
REVIEW | John Leguizamo’s The Other Americans
Dominic Painter
Dominic Painter
Magui Diop: A New Generation of Hip Hop Women in Senegal | Hip Hop African Podcast
Dr. Msia Clark
Magui Diop: A New Generation of Hip Hop Women in Senegal | Hip Hop African Podcast
Dr. Msia Clark
Dr. Msia Clark
Student Protests Reveal the Limits of our Democracy and our Values
Mikal Amin Lee
Student Protests Reveal the Limits of our Democracy and our Values
Mikal Amin Lee
Mikal Amin Lee
The Power of Art in Advocacy and Social Change
WBL Staff Writer
The Power of Art in Advocacy and Social Change
WBL Staff Writer
WBL Staff Writer
Ayesha’s Towards 2040 Fellowship Project
WBL Staff Writer
Ayesha’s Towards 2040 Fellowship Project
WBL Staff Writer
WBL Staff Writer
Celebrating the Vibrant Contributions of Muslim American Culture to the US
Guest User
Celebrating the Vibrant Contributions of Muslim American Culture to the US
Guest User
Guest User
2023 Youth Poet Laureate of Washington, DC Featured in Interview with Academy Director of Poetry
Guest User
2023 Youth Poet Laureate of Washington, DC Featured in Interview with Academy Director of Poetry
Guest User
Guest User
Youth Poets and Writers Answer "What's Going On NOW?" at Kennedy Center Celebration of Marvin Gaye's 50th Anniversary of "What's Going On”
Guest User
Youth Poets and Writers Answer "What's Going On NOW?" at Kennedy Center Celebration of Marvin Gaye's 50th Anniversary of "What's Going On”
Guest User
Guest User
Kashvi Ramani: An Inspirational Voice in 21st Century Poetry and the First-Ever Virginia State Youth Poet Laureate
Adrienne Bedsole
Kashvi Ramani: An Inspirational Voice in 21st Century Poetry and the First-Ever Virginia State Youth Poet Laureate
Adrienne Bedsole
Adrienne Bedsole
Detroit Jericho Movement: Free All Political Prisoners | Piper Carter Podcast
Piper Carter
Detroit Jericho Movement: Free All Political Prisoners | Piper Carter Podcast
Piper Carter
Piper Carter
"Forced Labor" by Malachi "Malpractice" Byrd | COTTON
Guest User
"Forced Labor" by Malachi "Malpractice" Byrd | COTTON
Guest User
Guest User
"Picture This" by Mi'jan Credle | COTTON
Guest User
"Picture This" by Mi'jan Credle | COTTON
Guest User
Guest User
"Can You See Me" by Saniya Pearson | COTTON
Guest User
"Can You See Me" by Saniya Pearson | COTTON
Guest User
Guest User
The State of Hip-Hop Scholarship | WBL Fest 2023
Guest User
The State of Hip-Hop Scholarship | WBL Fest 2023
Guest User
Guest User
 

Creative Employment

Business Tips & Career Insights into The Creative Arts Industry

Articles
Breaking Barriers: Conversations on Access, Art, and Truth | Something to Say (03-11-2025)
Breaking Barriers: Conversations on Access, Art, and Truth | Something to Say (03-11-2025)
Why Build a Non Profit Board of Directors? #WednesdayWisdom ep02
Why Build a Non Profit Board of Directors? #WednesdayWisdom ep02
Voices of Change: Art, Activism and Community Building | Something to Say 2-25-2025
Voices of Change: Art, Activism and Community Building | Something to Say 2-25-2025
Community Impact and Cultural Transformation | Something to Say (1-28-2025)
Community Impact and Cultural Transformation | Something to Say (1-28-2025)
Preserving Hip-Hop History and Protecting Arts Funding | Something to Say (03-04-2025)
Preserving Hip-Hop History and Protecting Arts Funding | Something to Say (03-04-2025)
Building Community Through Art | Something to Say (1-21-2025)
Building Community Through Art | Something to Say (1-21-2025)
Activism Through Education | Something to Say (1-14-2025)
Activism Through Education | Something to Say (1-14-2025)
Exploring the Intersection of Nerd Culture and Hip-Hop | Something to Say (11-19-2024)
Exploring the Intersection of Nerd Culture and Hip-Hop | Something to Say (11-19-2024)
Hip-Hop for the Community | Something to Say (11-12-2024)
Hip-Hop for the Community | Something to Say (11-12-2024)
Celebrating Youth Voices | Something to Say (10-29-2024)
Celebrating Youth Voices | Something to Say (10-29-2024)
The Evolution of Hip-Hop | Something to Say (10-01-2024)
The Evolution of Hip-Hop | Something to Say (10-01-2024)
Healing Through Hip-Hop | Something to Say (09-24-2024)
Healing Through Hip-Hop | Something to Say (09-24-2024)
Uplifting Through Poetry | Something to Say (09-03-2024)
Uplifting Through Poetry | Something to Say (09-03-2024)
Creating Change With Art | Something to Say (08-27-2024)
Creating Change With Art | Something to Say (08-27-2024)
Off The Track - Asad “ULTRA” Walker
Off The Track - Asad “ULTRA” Walker
Interview with Librarian and Curator Aja Clark | Alternative Break
Interview with Librarian and Curator Aja Clark | Alternative Break
Celebrating Art, Advocacy, and Empowerment | Something to Say (07-23-2024)
Celebrating Art, Advocacy, and Empowerment | Something to Say (07-23-2024)
Off The Track - Mas Paz
Off The Track - Mas Paz
Arts for the Future | The Towards 2040: Creative Leaders Fellowship
Arts for the Future | The Towards 2040: Creative Leaders Fellowship
Steward of My Culture | Working with WBL
Steward of My Culture | Working with WBL
A Conversation with DC DJ Geena Marie
A Conversation with DC DJ Geena Marie
Graffiti and Streetology with Africa’s Breeze Yoko | Hip Hop African Podcast
Graffiti and Streetology with Africa’s Breeze Yoko | Hip Hop African Podcast
Meet cohort #2 of WBL's Towards 2040 Creative Leaders Fellowship
Meet cohort #2 of WBL's Towards 2040 Creative Leaders Fellowship
South African Hip-Hop Pioneer Emile YX? | Hip Hop African Podcast
South African Hip-Hop Pioneer Emile YX? | Hip Hop African Podcast
Philly's Porch Light program with Nadia MALIK | Alt Spring Break Philly Edition
Philly's Porch Light program with Nadia MALIK | Alt Spring Break Philly Edition
Harriett's Bookshop JEANNINE A. COOK | Alt Spring Break Philly Edition
Harriett's Bookshop JEANNINE A. COOK | Alt Spring Break Philly Edition
Love Now Media's JOS DUNCAN ASÉ | Alt Spring Break Philly Edition
Love Now Media's JOS DUNCAN ASÉ | Alt Spring Break Philly Edition
Poetry Pro Tips: Amasa Maleski
Poetry Pro Tips: Amasa Maleski
Poetry Pro Tip: Sophia Hall Part 2
Poetry Pro Tip: Sophia Hall Part 2
A conversation with CEO and Publicist Mercy Chikowore
A conversation with CEO and Publicist Mercy Chikowore
 

Cultural Diplomacy

Hip-Hop From a Global Perspective

Articles
Dance Humburg, Germany | The EQ Issue 5
Dance Humburg, Germany | The EQ Issue 5
Street Art Bogotá, Columbia | The EQ Issue 5
Street Art Bogotá, Columbia | The EQ Issue 5
Back to the Source in Uganda | The EQ Issue 5
Back to the Source in Uganda | The EQ Issue 5
Cuba 23 Years Later | The EQ Issue 5
Cuba 23 Years Later | The EQ Issue 5
Exploring Nepal Through the Lens of Hip-Hop Culture | The EQ Issue 5
Exploring Nepal Through the Lens of Hip-Hop Culture | The EQ Issue 5
Droppin’ Science in the Emerald Isle | The EQ Issue 5
Droppin’ Science in the Emerald Isle | The EQ Issue 5
Amirah Sackett is the Voice of America
Amirah Sackett is the Voice of America
Hip-hop in Uganda | Photo Essay
Hip-hop in Uganda | Photo Essay
ZuluMecca, Finding Truth in Creative Expression | Hip Hop African Podcast
ZuluMecca, Finding Truth in Creative Expression | Hip Hop African Podcast
Hip Hop in Africa and the African Diaspora with Toni Blackman | Hip Hop African Podcast
Hip Hop in Africa and the African Diaspora with Toni Blackman | Hip Hop African Podcast
Blaq Pages | Off The Couch [Accra, Ghana]
Blaq Pages | Off The Couch [Accra, Ghana]
Global Hip-Hop Set #2 | World Massive
Global Hip-Hop Set #2 | World Massive
Hip-Hop Futures: An International Conversation
Hip-Hop Futures: An International Conversation
BENTEKI | Off The Couch [London, UK]
BENTEKI | Off The Couch [London, UK]
International Dancers Host Free Workshop in DC | Juste Debout
International Dancers Host Free Workshop in DC | Juste Debout
Afshin is Live from Paris | Off The Couch
Afshin is Live from Paris | Off The Couch
Back To The Source | Exploring Our 2022 Trip to Uganda
Back To The Source | Exploring Our 2022 Trip to Uganda
G33ZY: Bringing Dancehall Culture from Jamaica to the World! | Off The Couch
G33ZY: Bringing Dancehall Culture from Jamaica to the World! | Off The Couch
Laurent of Les Twins Puts Crowd Under a Spell at International Juste Debout Dance Competition in DC
Laurent of Les Twins Puts Crowd Under a Spell at International Juste Debout Dance Competition in DC
Competing on a Global Stage | Hip-Hop in São Paulo
Competing on a Global Stage | Hip-Hop in São Paulo
Can’t Stop the Prophet - Babaluku, LugaFlow, and the Bavubuka Dynasty
Can’t Stop the Prophet - Babaluku, LugaFlow, and the Bavubuka Dynasty
Off The Couch | Benteki
Off The Couch | Benteki
DJ Seul Hoski | World Massive
DJ Seul Hoski | World Massive
M.anifest: From Madina to the Mecca | Hip Hop African Podcast: Episode 81
M.anifest: From Madina to the Mecca | Hip Hop African Podcast: Episode 81
Nigeria’s Dhoro Styles on Graffiti as a Medium of Communication | Hip Hop African Podcast: Episode 83
Nigeria’s Dhoro Styles on Graffiti as a Medium of Communication | Hip Hop African Podcast: Episode 83
A Warrior of Peace
A Warrior of Peace
KarlaInTheMix | Off The Couch
KarlaInTheMix | Off The Couch
Cultivating Spaces for Authenticity in Hip-Hop with Eavesdrop | The Hip-Hop African Podcast
Cultivating Spaces for Authenticity in Hip-Hop with Eavesdrop | The Hip-Hop African Podcast
DJ Azuhl: Hip-Hop & DJ Culture in South Africa | The Hip-Hop African Podcast
DJ Azuhl: Hip-Hop & DJ Culture in South Africa | The Hip-Hop African Podcast
Hip-Hop Dance Culture Thriving in China
Hip-Hop Dance Culture Thriving in China