KHADAFY “DAP” BRANCH

Khadafy “DAP” Branch, a graduate of W.W. Samuell High School and curator of The Walls of Pleasant Grove, was born and raised in Dallas, TX. From an early age, DAP demonstrated a passion for art, drawing cartoons inspired by Ninja Turtles and Thundercats. As he grew older, he connected with neighbors involved in street art, which sparked a deeper interest in the culture and ultimately shaped his artistic path.

DAP’s artistic career began in the late 1990s at the height of the modern graffiti movement. Committed to honing his craft, he practiced daily to refine his technique and develop his style. His first major project came while he was a junior at H. Grady Spruce High School, where he was commissioned to paint a mural inside the school. That initial commission marked the beginning of a growing reputation and a lifelong dedication to public art.

Over the years, DAP’s work has been featured in numerous publications and documentaries. He has appeared on the cover of The Dallas Morning News, on Good Morning Texas, and in features on Telemundo, Channel 5, and NPR. His accomplishments include exhibiting work at the Houston Holocaust Museum and serving as a juror for US Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett’s Congressional Art Reception.

In 2022, DAP began collaborating with Dallas City Councilman Jaime Resendez to bring positive attention to the Pleasant Grove community through public art. With city support, he curated The Walls of Pleasant Grove, now recognized as one of the largest outdoor art galleries in the world. In addition to showcasing his own work, the project has attracted nationally and internationally recognized artists, including Bacon from Canada, Maxx Moses of Yonkers, NY, and aerosol legends Part, Seen, Doc, and TATS Cru, artists whose work has been commissioned by major corporations and musicians such as Jennifer Lopez, Missy Elliott, Fat Joe, and Big Pun. TATS Cru’s work has also been exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum.

Beyond his role as a curator, DAP is a historian of Dallas aerosol art and the producer of the documentary The History of Dallas Graffiti, further solidifying his commitment to preserving and advancing the culture that shaped his career.