How “Art, Beats + Lyrics” evolved from a traveling art show into a cultural phenomenon

For 20 years, Art, Beats + Lyrics has captivated audiences across the country, amplifying the voices of each established and emerging visual artists. To rejoice the occasion, the brand’s mainstays – Jabari Graham and Dwayne “Dubelyoo” Wright – hosted a special weekend of their hometown of Atlanta and likewise released a highly anticipated film that documents the brand’s journey from day one.

Directed by independent filmmaker Bill Horace, the documentary presents an intimate take a look at AB+L’s twenty years of commitment to artistic innovation and cultural diversity, highlighting the transformative power of art, music and community. It also chronicles Graham and White’s journey and their connection after Jabari’s first Art, Beats + Lyrics show at The Five Spot in Little Five Points.

Just a few months later, the 2 expanded the cultural reach of Art, Beats + Lyrics with an unprecedented event at town’s High Art Museum. After three successful years, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey approached them to develop into a sponsor – a partnership that continues to this present day. What began as an exhibition for and by artists from hip-hop culture has evolved into an annual event that sells out across the country.

“Man, we’re still working,” Graham says of the success of his traveling art show. “We are still working on this matter. We are still energetic. So it’s still a day job, we still have a few shows to do and we wish to attempt to live to be 25 and even 30 years old.

“Like Jabari says, we’re halfway through — actually the first third of the tour,” adds White. “So throughout the entire thing, we thought, ‘Hey, we still have a show on Saturday.’ But it’s cool to see a few of the individuals who were around us after we began, after they were younger. Now they’re older, more mature; they’ve kids – individuals who had kids back then, now their kids can go to the show. So it’s nice to see all of it come full circle as our show has develop into a multi-generational event.”

Horace, who’s an enthusiast of counterculture documentaries, was invited by Vox Creative and presented a proposal that immediately delighted two of AB+L’s top leaders. As a young Black filmmaker, the chance to helm this project was a microcosm of the core initiative of Art Beats + Lyrics itself—to offer opportunities for creators of color that will have been missed for reasons often beyond their control.

“They open doors to artists who in many cases are underrepresented in “high art” galleries and spaces, museums, etc.” – Horace talks about brand influence. “They give these people, whose art in lots of cases only exists on the streets, exists only in public forums, a platform and a gallery that can travel across the country. It often brings attention to their work and gets them noticed, and sometimes it’s tangible.”

The director adds: “I think they really help give artists a chance and open doors for people. Creating a way for people, helping them.” In addition to AB+L’s story, the film focuses on three artists – Shawn Stewart, Sydney James and Lisette “Arrrtaddict” Correa – as they prepare for his or her twentieth anniversary tour. These stories gave viewers a glimpse into the drive of the artists in this system and the perseverance needed to realize success.

“The creative community here is thriving and people are constantly working,” explains Graham. “It’s something we just wanted to show and say, ‘Hey, creators here, helping you follow your own path, whether it’s in the gallery world or outside of it, in advertising, doing murals or whatever. They work there and these are the artists we have in our program.”

During their decades-long journey, Graham and White transformed the National Exhibition into something far more. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy art, dance the night away and witness performances by a very powerful artists of the time and legendary musicians based on their heritage. Most importantly, the AB+L program fosters community like no other. The Hulu documentary, released on March 29, perfectly captures the brand’s evolution over time and the way its producer and curator are laying the foundations for the long run.

Of all of the messages it has to supply, the poignant one will not be about art in any respect. Applying to any path in life, that with labor and focused dedication you’ll be able to create the life you should lead.

“You can make your own,” White tells ESSENCE. “Jabari says it all the time: ‘You can take a risk and have your own career.’ And that’s one of the things we want to make sure people get straight – that you don’t have to subscribe to what people say about an artistic career. You can make your own career.”

is now streaming on Hulu.