Art, Beats + Lyrics celebrates the legacy of the eponymous art and hip hop roadshow that began as a local art event in Atlanta in 2004. Art, Beats + Lyrics (AB+L) has since grown into a national platform for visual artists and musicians to showcase their creativity, touring in major cities across the U.S. year after year, thanks in part to the support of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey.

The film, directed by Bill Horace and produced by Vox Creative and Cult Creative, with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, chronicles the lead-up to AB+L’s twentieth anniversary tour, kicking off at Miami Art Week. We follow Jabari Graham, AB+L’s enterprising founder and producer, Dwayne ‘Dubelyoo’ Wright, seasoned artist and curator of AB+L, and a diverse group of talented visual artists who have been selected to participate in the upcoming tour. Over several months, while working out of a warehouse in Atlanta, the artists-in-residence bring their ideas to life on large, free-standing walls that will soon travel all over the country. With Jabari and Dubelyoo at the helm, AB+L is a testament to their working relationship and friendship, spanning over two decades.

Through rich imagery and intimate interviews, we witness the remarkable impact AB+L has had on these artists’ lives, providing them with a platform to showcase their talent and amplify their voices. We meet Shawn ‘Stu’ Stewart, whose journey reflects the struggles and triumphs of a young artist finding his way; Lisette Correa, whose colorful neon aesthetic speaks to the power of representation; and Sydney James, an artist from Detroit whose work celebrates Black women and the complexities of Black reality.

Weaving the past with the present, the documentary explores how Atlanta’s legacy as a center of the civil rights movement helped shape the creative scene that later emerged – and laid the groundwork for AB+L to thrive. As anticipation builds for the show at Miami Art Week, the film takes us on a visually stunning journey, capturing intricate details of the creative process and producing frames that feel like works of art themselves.

Central to the film’s narrative is the longstanding partnership between AB+L and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, and their shared commitment to amplifying artists and fostering creativity. The brand has been a driving force behind AB+L, providing crucial support that has helped elevate the production and scale it to reach a national audience. Featuring insights from AB+L alumni, cultural icons, and key figures within Atlanta’s creative scene, the documentary captures the essence and impact of this organization and invites viewers to reflect on its place within the broader cultural landscape. There is no doubt that the future is bright for Jabari and Dubelyoo, with plans for continued growth on the horizon. As the film concludes, viewers will be left inspired by AB+L’s legacy and excited about the next chapter in its journey.