The “Stuntarious” Series

If there were a cheat code to understand what Unapologetic stands for as succinctly as possible, it would be the Stuntarious series, five mixtapes released at various points throughout the years. Launched in the early days of the label, these collaborative mixtapes became semi-annual checkpoints of the collective’s evolution — chaotic, confident, and creatively unhinged. Blending trap, punk, R&B, spoken word, and experimental electronics, each Stuntarious release acts as both a time capsule and a manifesto. 

Unexpected Collaborations

In 2018, Ballet Memphis invited Unapologetic to participate in their fall program with an inspired blending of ballet and hip-hop, marking the beginning of a remarkable series of unconventional collaborations. Since then, the collective has partnered with a wide range of organizations beyond the music scene, including the PGA Tour, Memphis International Airport, and local cultural institutions like the Metal Museum and the Memphis Zoo. Whether or not it seemed to make sense on paper, each collab has proven to be a resounding success.

Indie Memphis Block Party

Speaking of partnerships, in 2019 Unapologetic curated a raucous Indie Memphis Film Festival block party that transformed the family-friendly Overton Square area into a high-brow, politically-tinged showcase that would make Kendrick Lamar proud. For those who were lucky enough to be there, the performance cemented the label’s reputation for high-concept DIY events in the starkest terms possible. One could argue that the group has outdone themselves since, but there’s nothing quite like your first time.

The Unapologetic World App

Launched in 2017, the Unapologetic World App was an early sign that the label simply wasn’t interested in playing by industry rules. Designed as a digital home for everything Unapologetic (music, visuals, films, interviews, live streams, and exclusive content), the app has remained a reliable one-stop-shop for dedicated fans. 

Unapologetic Garments

After making waves in music, art, and digital media, it was only natural that Unapologetic would dive into fashion with Unapologetic Garments. Since its launch, the label has emphasized original design, quality craftsmanship, and community storytelling, offering everything from graphic tees and hoodies to limited-edition merch that blends art and fashion. Their 2024 collaboration with the Memphis Grizzlies marked a milestone—bringing their signature aesthetic to a wider audience through the “Gold Collection,” a line that captured the city’s grit and pride while celebrating Memphis’ sports culture.

The Opening of Outerspace

In November 2022, Unapologetic celebrated the grand opening of Outerspace, their new studio nestled in the heart of Midtown. The studio acted as a physical manifestation of both the label’s meteoric growth and the bright future that they envisioned. Visually stunning and meticulously planned, Outerspace isn’t just a studio—it’s a sonic launchpad, designed to foster collaboration, vulnerability, and the boundary-pushing ethos that defines Unapologetic. 

A Weirdo from Memphis’ Gonerfest Performance

Photo by Laura Jean Hocking

Over its two-decade run, Gonerfest has seen its share of unforgettable sets from punk and garage heavyweights like Jay Reatard, Ty Segall, and King Khan. But even the most seasoned festivalgoers were caught off guard by A Weirdo From Memphis’ wildly unhinged—and undeniably electric—performance in 2022. By the time he scaled the stage at Railgarten, any lingering hip-hop skeptics in the crowd had been thoroughly won over by the beautiful chaos. 

Midnight Marauder Series

Last year, Unapologetic introduced a new series at MOSH called Midnight Marauder (shouts to ATCQ!). Designed as a public celebration of beat culture, the series highlights producers, beatmakers, and electronic artists as performers in their own right. Unlike traditional beat battles, Midnight Marauder centers on musical expression and live performance. As IMAKEMADBEATS put it, “This is not a beat battle, it’s a beat performance.” 

IMAKEMADBEATS Releases WANDS

Strictly as a piece of music, IMAKEMADBEATS’ 2024 release WANDS is a landmark release for the label–abrooding, richly textured instrumental project that showcases his signature ability to evoke emotion without a single lyric. Beyond the music itself, though, WANDS marked a significant moment in the artist’s journey: a deliberate and personal return to the forefront of music-making after years focused on building his Unapologetic label and nurturing other artists.

A Glimpse into the Future

While many of the artists who first defined Unapologetic’s first era remain central to its identity, the rise of Kid Maestro as the label’s leader, the emergence of bold new voices like EILLO and Nubia Yasin, and the company’s expansion into bold new fields make it clear the collective is constantly evolving. If the past decade was about breaking molds, the next era promises to redefine them entirely.

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For nearly a decade, IMAKEMADBEATS and the Unapologetic collective that he founded have been at the cutting-edge of music, reimagining what it means to be part of the Memphis music scene. However, as he has helped lead his company to newfound heights of public recognition, including high-profile collaborations with the Memphis Grizzlies and the PGA, MAD has often had to put his own music on the back-burner.

That all changes this Saturday, November 16th, when MAD will return to the stage for the first time since 2019 for an album release showcase that he’s calling “Masters of the Universe” at the Pink Palace Planetarium. Last month, we caught up with IMAKEMADBEATS at his Midtown studio Outerspace to learn more about the album and his upcoming live performance.

To set the stage a bit, MAD–née James Dukes–has been quietly managing a rare auto-immune disorder, which has often times made keeping up with his grueling schedule a near impossibility. This struggle, he says, was a primary inspiration for his new album.

“I was watching War of the Worlds recently, and I noted the fact that the humans could not defeat the aliens…the aliens were ultimately defeated by bacteria. Essentially, the strength of the aliens was undermined by one of the smallest things on earth. I started to feel like ‘Well, maybe I have this issue. Maybe my body wasn’t made to deal with earth’s atmosphere. Maybe I’m not from here…”

This idea birthed the concept for WANDS, his new (largely instrumental) concept album that begins with MAD leaving earth in search of his home, wherever in the cosmos that may be. “Everyone who knows me well knows that for the last 10 years or so I’ve been saying ‘One day I’m just gonna disappear.’ This album is the story of what happens when I finally disappear.”

Conceived as a movie score, WANDS is a soundtrack “for those daring to leave the familiar  behind, seeking solace and understanding in the vast expanse of the universe.” As such, there likely isn’t a more fitting place in the city to unveil it than at the Pink Palace, an organization that Unapologetic has already collaborated with for their ongoing Midnight Marauder series.

When I tell him that I find the budding relationship between Unapologetic and the Pink Palace as being beautifully serendipitous–-especially when considering Saturday night’s celestially-themed event–MAD is quick to correct me. 

“To quote V in V for Vendetta, ‘I don’t believe in coincidences, only the illusion of it.’ My life has been filled with instances that make you say ‘How the fuck did this happen at exactly the right time?’ I just lean into it at this point,” he explains. “As a matter of fact, when I first met [Pink Palace Executive Director] Kevin Thompson, he was like ‘Yeah man, I’m not sure if you’re into things like the planetarium’ and I had to stop him and say ‘Bro, you know my studio is called Outerspace right?!’”

This all brings up back to Saturday night’s “Masters of the  Universe” celebration, which will be held on MAD’s birthday. No coincidences, right? In addition to playing his new album, MAD will also be controlling the stars in the sky and unveiling new visuals, guiding the audience  through a mysterious interstellar journey.

“This is not just a performance,” reads the press release. “It is an odyssey where vulnerability becomes art, and  music becomes a portal to the magical realms beyond our world.” Honestly, we wouldn’t expect anything less.

Tickets for “Masters of the Universe” can be purchased here. The event begins at 7PM.

The post With His Upcoming “Masters of the Universe” Event, IMAKEMADBEATS Invites You to a Journey into the Cosmos appeared first on We Are Memphis.