AB+L brings communities together to discover emerging artists and to support local art, culture, and music. With more than 100 shows produced, the series has hit Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and Brooklyn, just to name a few, and since its inception has worked with Sango, The Pharcyde, D Smoke, and many more.
The exhibitions include a selection of visual artists whose works are on display in a non-traditional gallery setting, with musical acts performing throughout the night.
ABOUT THE CREATORS OF AB+L
JABARI GRAHAM
When you think of that effortlessly cool guy from school, the one who knew all the new music before anyone else, the one who could give you the rundown of any genre of movie, all while sitting back casually in a pair of Vans, you’re probably envisioning Jabari Graham.
Graduating from Lithonia High School and later Jackson State University, Graham’s resume includes a long list of firsts for Atlanta’s art and music community. He was the first to bring artists Kendrick Lamar, Drake and Little Dragon to Atlanta. Graham was also the first to convince legendary hip hop group Goodie Mob, to reunite for a concert in the city.
And of course, Graham’s most well-known first - the creation of a nationally touring art and music show, Art, Beats + Lyrics, (AB+L). Founded in 2004, Art, Beats + Lyrics has toured nearly every major U.S. city and has grown into the largest show of its kind.
DWAYNE “DUBELYOO” WRIGHT
Dwayne “Dubelyoo” Wright is an Atlanta-based illustrator, professor, and curator. Early in his career, he made a name for himself as an illustrator for hip hop magazines and as a designer for streetwear brands.
For almost two decades, Dubelyoo has been curating the traveling art exhibition called Art, Beats + Lyrics. These urban art and music showcases provide an accessible experience for seasoned collectors, first-time art buyers, music lovers, and today’s social media selfie-taker. What was once a one-night-only show, promoting Atlanta art and music, is now a national tour with over 100 art exhibitions and counting.
PHOTOS OF AB+L
THE WORD ON THE STREETS
“What I dig the most about AB+L is the accessibility that it provides for a demographic that has largely been ignored by mainstream art galleries, and debunks the notion that urban dwellers do not consume and cannot appreciate high art.”
-HUFFPOST
“The event’s name captures its true identity: Art, Beats and Lyrics. And what you see is exactly what you get: dope urban art, fly music and so much more... thousands of fans filled the city’s Echostage, a venue that was transformed into an art-filled, gallery-style exhibit featuring pieces from all types of visual artists.”
-THE UNDEFEATED
“The fine people at Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey are bringing their Art, Beats + Lyrics show series on the road. The eight-stop tour will showcase up-and-coming visual artists alongside musical performances by such hip-hop legends as Scarface of the Geto Boys and Shock G of Digital Underground.”
-VICE