There has always been a great connection between hip-hop and art. The graffiti artists who shared their inspiration on the walls of public housing and subway trains in the 1980s proved that art was as important as the music itself.
But during the ‘90s and 2000s, the music continued to grow into the mainstream while hip-hop inspired art mostly remained underground.
Jabari Graham realized the importance of art to the culture and combined his love for music to create Art, Beats + Lyrics. Since 2004, Graham, and his business partner Dwyane “Dubelyoo” Wright have expanded Art, Beats + Lyrics by making it an annual national tour.
In its 10th season, Art, Beats + Lyrics has introduced young artists to the mainstream while remaining true to hip-hop culture.
Graham shares his thoughts on this year’s show and the event’s overall mission.
Why was it important to bring the art and hip-hop cultures together?
Hip-hop has always been a form of art since the beginning, and now the boundaries that once separated music and art are almost nonexistent. While hip-hop is now influencing the broader creative culture faster than ever, people have come to crave visual content to mesh with their music. Arts, Beats + Lyrics has given visual artists influenced by hip-hop culture an avenue for their works to be recognized by art and hip-hop enthusiasts alike.
How has the show created an avenue for young artists?
Larger, more corporate art shows and galleries have always focused more on the older audience — missing a big opportunity to break new artists and reach a younger generation of eager, potential buyers and art connoisseurs. Through the Arts, Beats + Lyrics event over the years, we have created an opportunity to not only introduce emerging, behind-the-scenes visual artists to the larger Atlanta art community, but are also putting those artists in front of thousands of people in Atlanta — people of all ages, races, cultures and experiential backgrounds that are eager to get to know Atlanta’s own creative innovators.
What can attendees expect from this year’s show?
This year, attendees will get up close and personal with more than 20 visual artists, including some of Atlanta’s most well-known (Miya Bailey, Paper Frank, Fabian Williams, Chris Hobe, and others). There will also be a lineup of dope, emerging artists from far, far OTP (‘outside the perimeter,’ for you non-ATLiens). There is Kazilla hailing from Miami and Aneikan Udofia showcasing his art in the U.S. for one of the first times.
On the music side of things, the Arts, Beats + Lyrics event will have people moving to the sounds of Atlanta’s own DJ Wally Sparks, Esta of Soulection and hip-hop veteran Master P, who set the stage of the next generation of hip-hop in the early days of No Limit Records.
What have been the most important lessons about business and branding since the event’s start 10 years ago?
Now in its 10th year, we have learned the ins and outs of what it takes to balance culture and corporate entities [through various corporate partnerships-sponsors]. What works in a corporate setting may not always work in street, art and music culture; it’s an art within itself to balance the two so one doesn’t sabotage the other. For an event focused on art and music, it’s necessary to build street and culture cred, but equally important to build strong relationships with corporate brands. This also helps brands reach a new, broader audience set, making a win-win situation for both.
Culture will always be at the forefront of Arts, Beats + Lyrics events, providing an opportunity to give emerging artists new opportunities with the support of corporate sponsors. In this light, branding must always be in lock-step with business strategy; it is what has brought the masses to Arts, Beats + Lyrics events throughout the years and will continue to do so in the future.
How has the event given a push to ABL Radio?
This is a pivotal year for ABL; the art show is celebrating its 10th year anniversary, while also celebrating our first year since launching ABL Radio. Between the event and the radio station, we’ve been able to successfully break down the barriers that existed between art and music, and show people the positive impact that the two mediums have on each other, as well as the cultural community at large. We’ve had a really positive response from the Atlanta community in support of ABL Radio, and we even have listeners around the U.S. and other countries (Brazil, Mexico, Germany, to name a few). ABL Radio is similar to the art show in that it gives our DJs total creative freedom from the music on their playlists to the artists and influencers they interview for their shows. There can be absolutely no limitations when it comes to music and art, and you can feel that in both the event and the radio station.
