jackin’ for beats - jack daniel’s art beats + lyrics celebrates expression

Jabari Graham has a lot on his plate, but to watch him mingle with eager attendees at Jack Daniel’s Art, Beats + Lyrics, you wouldn’t know it. His expression is calm and he laughs easily as people wander around Atlanta’s The Foundry at Puritan Mills, taking in the vibrant art that’s splashed on the display walls. For Graham, the latest Jack Daniel’s Art, Beats + Lyrics is the visual manifestation of a vision he had years ago.

“I strongly believe there is this group of people that are just tired of what they see on TV and hear on radio and the events they go to,” the 28-year-old says. “This isn’t just in Atlanta. I think that’s a common denominator in different cities.”

So Art, Beats + Lyrics, sponsored by Jack Daniel’s, endeavors to fi ll that void. Spearheaded in 2004, Graham has since partnered with revered artist, Dubeyloo, and expanded the event to include St. Louis; Charlotte, N.C.; Jackson, Miss.; and Birmingham, Ala. Featuring the most talented artist across the Southern region, Jack Daniel’s Art, Beats + Lyrics is more than an art show; it’s an experience. As Jack Daniel’s Art, Beats + Lyrics continues to grow, rest assured that Graham is committed to ensuring the free event doesn’t stray from its core intention.

“Jack Daniel’s is an outlet for those people who simply want to hear good music that’s not on the radio ... I have met people who attended the exhibit [that] actually thank me and tell me how much it’s needed. That’s what inspires me,” he says. –jacinta howard

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