David "Lebo" Le Batard

In loving memory.

In the vibrant world of Miami's street art, a bright star has dimmed far too soon. On Tuesday morning of August 1st, we lost one of our most beloved and talented figures, David "Lebo" Le Batard, at the tender age of 50. He fought a valiant battle against cancer for the past year, but the legacy he leaves behind will forever light up the city he called home.

In commemorating his life, we remember the joy he spread through his vibrant colors, the inspiration he ignited with his creativity, and the love he shared through his art. Though he may no longer walk among us, his spirit will forever dance across the walls of Miami. A reminder that true art is eternal, and the love we give through our passions remains etched in the hearts of those who witness it.

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Dan Speaks About His Brother’s Death

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“Give Thanks”

by Angel Resto

One of the things Dan lamented after the passing of his brother David was that he just wanted people to “know him”. Given that he was a “huge life-force”  it’s difficult to tackle that goal without failing miserably. So, the best we can do is help him put together pieces of that puzzle and perhaps we’ll one day end up with a complete picture. 

My name is Angel Resto and back in 2015 I received a very consequential phone call for this fan of the show. It was Dan… introducing me to his globe-trotting brother David aka LEBO. The purpose of the call was so he could gauge me… see if I could take the reins and give the visual component of the show the same care and passion he did. 

The dynamic between the Dan and David was magical and it wasn’t a rare occurrence. There were sparks and humor each single time I was in their presence. The love between them was written in giant South Beach neon lights. 

David is the only visual artist I got to know personally that actually LIVED the dream. While some of us had to settle for corporate/ commercial art to pay the bills, he had the intestinal fortitude and belief in himself to pursue that dream. To build that dream. And what a palatial dream he built. 

You’d think that being in that stratosphere… having a coveted inventory in Park West Gallery or having collaborations with Ferrari, Adidas and Gibson Guitars under his belt would go to his head. I was a bit nervous during those first encounters to tell you the truth. “Man I hope he doesn’t look down on me for being a sell out and working in corporate,” I’d tell myself.  That caricature of him I made in my head couldn’t be further from who he was. He treated me as an equal.  He valued my contributions and skill to the point in which he entrusted me not only with the art for his Dan’s show, but also his own and very successful enterprise.  

For years he reached out on a monthly, sometimes weekly basis to work on his merchandise projects. Dozens of shirts… hats… decals… organic honey?  Olive oil? Hemp products?! There was never telling what he’d come up with next. All I knew is that the whole exercise would be the highlight of my week because it meant random calls or messages that provided a glimpse into his volatile mind and sense of humor. This also meant examining his art closely which gave me such an education and appreciation for his contributions to the art world. 

Having said all that, the biggest takeaway from my LEBO experience was that he was equal parts kind. Always looking for ways to help others through his unmistakable energy and world-class art. He’d finish his communications with “give thanks” which I always thought was peculiar. After his passing though, it started to make sense:  He had a gift. He was a gift. So was the time we got to spend with him. Lots to give thanks for. 

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Light + Life: A Special Send Off

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🎯 You Get The Show

The best tweets we saw honoring Lebo❤️

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Rest in color, Lebo. May your journey into the unknown be as vivid and beautiful as the masterpieces you left behind.