The idea for WordLife came partly from a project in 1994 that was assisted, as with the CD, by a Canada Council grant. This project was the publication of The N'X Step, a collection of writing by young Black authors from Montreal. It was organized around the concept of reflecting the experience of a new generation of Black Montrealers, and included short stories, poetry, drama, and photographs.

Other inspirations for WordLife were two shows held in Montreal in the fall of 1997 and winter of 1998. These two shows were broadcast live on CKUT FM radio, and featured poets, MCs and DJs from Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, as well as live musicians like Kali and Dub. Like the WordLife project, these events helped create and solidify networks amongst young Black artists from the three cities.

The process of putting together the WordLife CD began in spring of 1998. From my experience as both fan and performer at numerous Black poetry functions in the Tri-city, I selected and contacted a number of poets to record for a compilation CD. After funding fell into place, I co-ordinated artists, studios and producers in the three cities, and by October 1998 25 poems/songs were recorded.

In all, 18 poets - 4 from Ottawa, 5 from Montreal, and 9 from Toronto - contribute to the CD, and 6 different producers provide the music. Among these artists are some of the brightest unsigned talents in Canadian hip-hop, dub poetry and spoken word. As well, a number of the contributors have a considerable reputation in their own right as: