Today we’d like to introduce you to Abdoulaye Bah.
Hi Abdoulaye , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Most of my journey has been driven by curiosity — just wanting to understand people, energy, and how moments come together. I didn’t have it all mapped out, I was just following what felt genuine and learning as I went.
I studied Cognitive Science at Vanderbilt, which deepened that perspective. It showed me you can learn from anyone if you’re paying attention, so I’ve tried to move through life like a sponge – picking things up from every room, every conversation, every environment.
I started throwing events in college as COVID was winding down. At first, it was just about meeting people and creating the kind of experience I felt was missing. In the process, I connected with creatives across music, fashion, and business, which opened my eyes to what was possible.
That led to starting After Dark with my homies, where I started to understand the business behind curating experiences – how to bring the right people, energy, and moments together in a way that actually resonates.
Now, I’m grateful to be building The Last Friday alongside my brother Devon Marchaun. What started as an idea has grown into one of the fastest-rising recurring experiences in Nashville, but at its core, it’s about the journey of becoming – creating space for growth, evolution, and celebrating progress as it unfolds.
At the same time, I’ve been working on Just DAP which stands for Dope Authentic People—a creative and experiential agency focused on storytelling through real experiences and creating moments that stick.
One moment that really stayed with me was curating my first New York Fashion Week pop-up in 2025 with my brother Zeke Mayfield. It reinforced that nothing is out of reach — you just have to go make it happen.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep evolving in Nashville as the city continues to grow and to be at the forefront shaping what that next chapter looks like culturally.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A lot of the journey has been figuring things out in real time — there’s no real blueprint for this. Early on, it was a lot of trial and error. You try something, it works or it doesn’t, and you adjust. That process teaches you quickly, but it also forces you to stay resilient.
One of the bigger challenges has been translating vision into reality. It’s one thing to know how something should feel, but consistently bringing that to life — across different spaces, people, and moving parts — is a different level of execution.
There’s also the pressure that comes with growth. As things start to gain traction, expectations rise — especially the ones you put on yourself. Learning how to stay grounded, protect the integrity of what you’re creating, and not chase everything has been a big part of that.
I’ve also had to navigate transitions — stepping away from certain things and leaning into new ones. That comes with uncertainty, but it also creates space to evolve.
At the end of the day, all of it has been part of the process. Every challenge has sharpened my perspective and made me more intentional about what I’m creating and why.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I tell stories through curated experiences.
At a surface level, that looks like throwing events. But for me, it’s really about how intentional and impactful it is. How people move, how a room comes together, how everything clicks in a way you can’t always explain but you can feel.
Through The Last Friday, we’ve been able to grow something that’s really taken on a life of its own in Nashville. But what matters most to me is the community around it. It’s not just about people showing up — it’s about what comes from those rooms, the people, the relationships, and the moments that carry beyond the night.
With Just DAP, I’m taking that same mindset and applying it to brands and creatives — helping bring ideas to life in a way that feels real, not forced.
I think what sets me apart is my perspective. I understand the business side, but I also really understand the experience — and how to blend the two without losing the feeling. I care about growing what I’m building, but not at the expense of the intention or integrity behind it.
At the end of the day, I’m just focused on creating moments that turn into memories people actually hold onto.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Man, the list is honestly endless. I’ve had a lot of real support along the way.
Starting with my brother Devon Marchaun — not just someone I build with, but really my brother in every sense. He’s been someone I lean on, someone who’s helped me navigate not just the business, but life.
From there, people like Nesh, Isaiah, and my After Dark family played a big role in shaping my early understanding of what this could become.
I’ve also been lucky to have mentors like Black Rob, who constantly reminds me that the world is yours if you’re willing to go after it and really put your mind to something.
And beyond names, it’s everyone who’s shown up — bought a ticket, told a friend, or supported in any way. That belief means everything.
I’m grateful for anyone who’s given me perspective along the way. A lot of this is built on conversations, moments, and people pouring into me just as much as I’ve poured into what I’m creating.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bizzyafterhours/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdoulaye-bah-004bb5211/
