Arts in the City | 9th Annual WBL Fest Recap

Our recent WBL Fest brought the good vibes to DC. Check out the recap below!

Our 9th annual Words Beats & Life Festival transformed Washington, D.C. into a vibrant celebration of hip-hop culture April 3-6, weaving together an impressive tapestry of artistic expression across the city. From legendary hip-hop group Arrested Development headlining the Jazz & Blossoms Park Jam at Franklin Square to DJ Spinna commanding the decks at the Wild Days rooftop, the festival delivered unforgettable performances.

Throughout the four-day event, attendees experienced the power of spoken word at multiple venues. The Combine All-Stars showcase at Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage was a full house and thousands watched online as some of DC’s best wordsmiths took the stage, and youth poets competed in the Slamtastic Finals at Busboys and Poets for the chance to be a part of the 2025 DMV Youth Poetry Slam Team. Our two Word Power events at Busboys and Poets gave a platform for community poets and story tellers. Visual arts flourished with the "From Southside To Uptown" student gallery exhibition showcasing mosaics, aerosol paintings, and photography created by middle and high school participants in our city-wide programs. The festival's forward-thinking approach was exemplified by "Time Capsule 2040," an interactive multimedia experience inviting participants to connect with the past, present, and future of hip-hop.

From downtown rooftops to community spaces in Anacostia, WBL Fest brought hip-hop's energy to every corner of the District. We created spaces for both established artists and emerging talent to shine, while inviting the community to participate actively in the culture through workshops, open mics, and interactive art experiences. As we close this chapter of WBL Fest, we are looking forward to our next WBL Fest coming in December 2025!

Check out the photo gallery below!