Words Beats & Life began as a conference at the University of Maryland in the fall of 2000; our founders worked to create a vehicle to transform individual lives and communities through Hip-Hop. Today, Words Beats & Life uses a holistic approach to youth, and community development that involves hip-hop artists, scholars, educators, activists, and allies. Our Mission: Our mission is to transform individual lives and whole communities through Hip-Hop. We do this through public art creation, teaching courses in the core elements of Hip-Hop, publishing a global academic journal on Hip-Hop, sending artists abroad and hosting Teach-Ins and retreats to build the capacity of scholars, artists and arts educators and arts managers from throughout the country and around the world.