A key component of Law Rocks’ mission is to promote music education for underserved youth. In 2023, due to our increased sponsorship and fundraising, Law Rocks was able to offer a new grant at each Law Rocks show: The Music Matters Grant. This grant is given to a local nonprofit that supports youth music education in each of our U.S. tour cities. Omi Crawford, director of Law Rocks, says of the grant initiative:
“Since our 2009 founding, Law Rocks has supported hundreds of incredible nonprofits, with an emphasis on youth music education organizations. The Music Matters grant is a natural evolution of our mission and a chance to formalize our support of amazing music education nonprofits across the country.”
Our first recipient of the Fall 2026 Law Rocks Tour is a Washington, D.C. organization “empowering artists, aspiring artists and lovers of expression to relentlessly create, refine and define systems that demonstrate positive change through our individual and collective brilliance.” Words Beats & Life offers arts based educational programs that reshape the lives and communities they serve. Learn more about the organization in our Nonprofit Spotlight interview with Mazi Mutafa, Executive Director of Words Beats & Life.
The first of two 2026 Washington DC recipients of the Law Rocks Music Matters Grant: Words Beats & Life | Photo by Flex Matthews | Courtesy of Words Beats & Life
1) Can you tell us a little about the history of your nonprofit, as well as its mission and focus?
Words Beats & Life (WBL), is DC’s longest running Hip-Hop based arts educational non profit.We are here to break down those barriers that keep our cities' outstanding young creatives from taking full advantage of the opportunities that come along with living in the Nation’s Capital.
2) What is the best example of the way you’ve seen your organization’s work make a difference?
Our goal is to invest in Washington, DC’s creative eco system to employ our extensive list of artists and creators to be living examples of what our city’s creative youth can accomplish with the right tools and the best role models. We achieve this goal through our many workshops, after school programs, concerts and festivals. We are Unapologetic advocates for the transformative power of hip-hop culture in all its forms. We empower artists, aspiring artists and lovers of expression to relentlessly create, refine and define systems that demonstrate positive change through our individual and collective brilliance.
WBL Summer Academy | Photo by Flex Matthews | Courtesy of Words Beats & Life
3) What are some upcoming initiatives that you are planning for?
The WBL Academy is a year-round creative youth development program. Our next event is our monthly Youth Open Mic, where young artists can share their voices and talents.
4) What is the greatest challenge your organization faces?
Recruiting new Board members from the corporate community to advance our mission and broaden our base of support.
WBL Summer Academy | Photo by Flex Matthews | Courtesy of Words Beats & Life
5) What does the power of music mean to you?
Music marks time, defines moments, and preserves memories. It is the frequency through which creativity comes alive.
WBL Summer Academy | Photo by Flex Matthews | Courtesy of Words Beats & Life
6) How will the Music Matters grant be used?
The Music Matters grant will support our fall music education programming, including djembe drumming, beat production, and DJing classes.
Learn more about Words Beats & Life.
