I received an email yesterday from a friend who is involved with the Words Beats & Life project letting me know that the latest issue of their Hip Hop journal is out. The journal provides a space for artists, writers and scholars to critique hip hop culture and discuss its impact on contemporary society. Proceeds from the journal are used to purchase supplies and materials for the Words Beats & Life Academy.

From Jason @ Words Beats & Life:

In its infancy, the organization primarily produced hip-hop conferences at area universities as a means of providing a framework for young black college students and their professors to understand the history and role of hip hop culture. While the early work was successful, Mr. Mutafa felt hip hop artists and scholars of his generation wanted to do more than present and perform at conferences. In response, he created a series of youth focused programs and activities to carefully bridge the gap between the critical, academic community that often sprouts up in the university, the artists who are actually creating the product and the youth who are consuming it.

My name is Jason Nichols, Editor-in-Chief of the Words Beats & Life Global Journal of Hip-Hop Culture. Established in 2002, we are the premier peer reviewed platform for hip-hop related scholarship. The Words Beats & Life Journal recently celebrated the release of Volume 3, Issue 1, entitled “The Blueprint for a Movement,” featuring original scholarship from Jeff Chang, as well as other noteworthy and upcoming intellectuals. The Journal is an integral part of Words, Beats & Life Incorporated, a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming individual lives and communities through hip-hop.

Born out of the inaugural Words Beats & Life conference at the University of Maryland in 2002, the journal aims to foster a critical analysis of the relevance, history and meaning of all elements of hip-hop culture. Along with the Urban Arts Academy, which teaches cognitive skills, learning techniques and art appreciation through writing, DJing and graffiti, the Journal is integral to WB&L’s mission of bridging the gap between the streets and the university.

Previously issues of the journal have been covered and reviewed by DC North, Elemental Magazine, The Journal of Higher Education and Provisions Library. The WB&L staff hopes you enjoy reading the journal and will consider covering it in your publication. I can be reached at Jason(at)wblinc(dot)org or (202) 667-1192.