The Art Of Music: An Inside Look At The 2023 Words Beats & Life Festival In DC

Just this past April, the community of DC gathered to celebrate the seventh annual Words Beats & Life Festival. The festival took the span of the week and gave attendees a diverse range of experiences and electrifying performances that celebrated the local art and music scene, as well as cherry blossoms! Headliners such as Amir Sullivan, Bilal, and Ursula Rucker took the stage throughout the week and gave attendees a WBL fest to remember! Check out the festival's top moments for a dose of inspiration and magic!

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Jazz & Blossoms

On April 8th, Jazz and Blossoms, a premiere National Cherry Blossoms Festival event took over D.C.’s largest outdoor greenspace, Franklin Park. The event showcased outstanding performances by renowned artists such as Bilal and Pete Rock. Along with fun experiences for the whole family like haiku writing, face painting, and more. Not to mention, Immigrant Food hooked up attendees with delicious mocktails to pair with smooth jazz!

“We’re thrilled to present this fun and unique way to celebrate the cherry blossoms and provide the perfect soundtrack to go along with such an exciting time in the city,” said Mazi Mutafa, founding executive director of Words Beats & Life. “It’s also the perfect opportunity to bloom a renewed interest in the arts in such a beautiful outdoor space.”

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A Poet's Mixtape

On April 9th, the “A Poet's Mixtape" event at Planet Word was graced by famous poets such as Ursula Rucker and Amir Sulaiman. Accompanied by the beats of Biscuit Bynum Collective, each poet gave a soulful performance following a thoughtful conservation of poetry and music.

Along with Rucker and Sullivan, Chicago native, Ayesha Jaco gave a powerful performance. And just in case you missed her at the Kennedy Center, jessica care moore gave a raw rendition of her most vulnerable work.

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Remixing For a Social Change

In addition to hosting music and spoken word events, WBL Fest held conferences, including the Remixing Art For a Social Change conference at the MLK library, which returned after a three-year hiatus. This year’s conference engaged in thoughtful conversations about the state of hip-hop and its future. Panelists featured at the conference, included Dr. Elliot Gans, Piper Carter, and others.

In addition, WBL named the Grammy award-winning rapper and producer, Lupe Fiasco, the 2023 Rap Laureate. A title was given to an artist chosen by Dr. Jason Nichols and Mikal Amin Lee to be the subject of WBL’s new annual publication the Rap Laureate.

Fiasco was also presented with an inaugural award to celebrate his impact on hip-hop; unfortunately, the artist was unable to accept the award in person but could still accept the award from his classroom at MIT.

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Hip Hop Rooftop Party

No WBL Fest is complete without some legendary parties for our 21+ crew! DJ Diamond D (that’s right, THE legendary producer of the Fugees), Farrah Flossett, and DJ RBI took the stage at the ‘93 Till… Rooftop Party at Eaton DC and celebrated the whole night with some 90s funk and jazz, sprinkled in with some De La Soul, Pete Rock, and more hip-hop jams.

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Yacht Rock Brunch

The WBL Fest came to a close with a Yacht Rock Brunch at Metrobar, featuring DJs D.Painter and Adrian Loving. Guests were treated to delicious beverages and the smooth sounds of classic yacht rock artists such as Steely Dan, Hall and Oates, and Earth, Wind, and Fire. And in keeping with the spirit of WBL, some hip-hop was also added to the mix!

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