March 29, 2024 — Celebrating two decades of artistic innovation, Art, Beats + Lyrics (AB+L), the pioneering traveling art and music showcase presented by Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, proudly commemorates its 20th anniversary. The milestone is marked by the premiere of the self-titled documentary, Art, Beats + Lyrics and a celebratory tour currently underway. The documentary that brings AB+L to life was a collaborative effort between Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Cult Creative, Vox Creative, and Spark Foundry. AB+L has captivated audiences nationwide since its inception in Atlanta in 2004, amplifying the voices of emerging and renowned visual and musical artists while nurturing creative expression.
Directed by independent filmmaker Bill Horace, the documentary shares an intimate look at AB+L’s two-decade-long commitment to artistic innovation and cultural diversity, highlighting the transformative power of art, music, and community. The documentary is now available to stream on Hulu.
“Art, Beats + Lyrics was born because we wanted to create a space for diverse artists to display their masterpieces in a way that has never been done before,” says Jabari Graham, founder of AB+L. “It’s surreal seeing the impact that a concept we created two decades ago has made on the visual art and hip-hop communities and the culture as a whole.”
The documentary immerses viewers in the vibrant world of AB+L, capturing the intricacies of the creative process through visually stunning frames that evoke the essence of art itself. Embarking on a journey, Art, Beats + Lyrics explores the origins of the showcase through the lens of founder Graham and Curator Dwayne “Dubelyoo” Wright. Seamlessly transitioning between past and present, the film follows visual artists Sydney James, Lisette “Arrrtaddict” Correa and Shawn Stewart as they prepare for AB+L’s 20th-anniversary tour and features insightful commentary from AB+L alumni and cultural experts, including Grammy Award-winning artist Killer Mike.
“This film was the very rare occasion where all parties involved were immediately aligned on an overall goal, with storytelling and creativity at the forefront,” said AJ Gutierrez, executive creative director at Vox Creative. “At its core Art, Beats + Lyrics is a story about artists, community, and opportunity. As a creative partner, we were determined to bring it to life in a way that would make anyone involved in its twenty-year run proud.”
The celebratory 20th-anniversary tour kicked off in Miami and touched down in Las Vegas during the Big Game weekend, making additional stops in Indianapolis and Houston. AB+L is hosting a special weekend in Atlanta, where it all began, featuring a private screening of the documentary, followed by the signature event. Additional cities along the tour include Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, New Orleans, and Seattle.
“Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey and Jack Daniel’s have been a proud partner of AB+L for the bulk of its 20-year existence, as it aligns with our commitment to push the boundaries of innovation and stay true to the brands’ core values,” said Keenan Harris, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey brand director. “We work closely with Cult Creative to bring the tour to life each year, and are excited to celebrate the 20th anniversary in such an amazing way.”
For more information about Art, Beats + Lyrics and the 20th-anniversary festivities, visit https://www.jackhoneyabl.com and follow on social media via IG @artbeatsandlyrics.
About Jack Daniel’s
Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery is the first registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Double Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, Jack Daniel’s Bonded, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails. Today, Jack Daniel’s is a true global icon found in more than 170 countries around the world and is the most valuable spirits brand in the world as recognized by Interbrand.
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About Art, Beats + Lyrics
Art Beats + Lyrics (AB+L) is a traveling urban art and music exhibition that fuses visual art, music and culture in an innovative way. Presented by Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, AB+L started as a local art show in Atlanta and has grown over the last two decades to be a one-of-a-kind cultural experience. Its founders, Jabari Graham and Dwayne “Dubelyoo” Wright of Cult Creative, started AB+L to showcase the visual works of diverse artists on a large scale. The tour travels across the country each year visiting cities like Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Detroit, New Orleans and more, engaging patrons with art, music, interactive installations, and a vibe like no other. For more information or to see where Art, Beats + Lyrics is headed next, visit https://www.artbeatsandlyrics.com/ and follow on via IG @artbeatsandlyrics.
About Vox Media
Vox Media is the leading modern media company, reaching audiences everywhere they are. Known for editorial properties, including Vox, SB Nation, New York Magazine, The Dodo, and The Verge, the company’s portfolio features the most relevant, respected, and engaging editorial properties and voices. The company is also home to award-winning storytelling businesses such as Vox Media Studios and the Vox Media Podcast Network, as well as innovative technologies that support the entire media industry, including the Concert advertising marketplace. Vox Media proves that quality can scale.
About Spark Foundry
Spark Foundry is a global media agency brand within Publicis Media, a key division of Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40]. Spark Foundry harnesses a startup spirit with a powerhouse soul by combining an entrepreneurial, innovative business approach with the resources, capabilities, and marketplace reach of Publicis Media, Ad Age’s 2023 “Agency Network of the Year.” The agency leverages best-in-class industry talent in over 50 countries across the world, including the USA, UK, MENA, Poland, Australia, and China.
