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.

The post A Decade of Disruption: 10 Iconic Moments From Unapologetic appeared first on We Are Memphis.

MonoNeon – “Church of Your Heart”

Bassist extraordinaire (and all around badass musician) MonoNeon is set to release a new album this year, and to give us a taste of what’s to come, he recently shared the first single off the upcoming project. “Church of Your Heart” is an upbeat and profoundly inspirational track that perfectly pairs MonoNeon’s soulful vocals over his signature funky production. The highlight of the song though is the message, which reminds us that no matter how hopeless we may feel, we all possess a powerful inner strength. Yea, there’s truly no one cooler than MonoNeon. 

An official video for “Church of Your Heart” is scheduled to be released on January 28, but here’s a sneak peek for all you impatient folks…

91′ Co. – Drmst8 2 

Memphis rapper 91’ Co is one third of rap supergroup Supa Glock Bros, but on his latest release we see him return back to his solo venture. Drmst8 2 is an ambitious yet undeniably impressive project that features hazy, vibed out beats and 91’ Co’s sharp delivery. The album also nicely showcases his deep artistic range as tracks like “WORK TO DO” and “Like Skrt” find 91’ Co effortlessly switching between rapping and singing. If Drmst8 2 is any indication of what else he has in store for the year, 2024 is about to be big.

Kid Maestro – “Tajin Tapes Vol. II”

Kid Maestro is one of the creative masterminds behind Memphis collective Unapologetic., but he doesn’t step into the spotlight himself very often. In fact, you’ll most likely find Kid locked in his studio in Outerspace, cooking up his next mind-blowing production. Luckily for us though, he’s starting 2024 by sharing his work in a new series called the Tajin Tapes. Each week, he’s hand delivering a collection of beats and so far, each beat is absolute fire. Listen to what he’s shared so far in the Unapologetic World App and keep an eye out for what’s next. Based on these first offerings, you won’t want to miss a note.

Life’s Luckii – “Ugly Beautiful Life”

I’m gonna say this right now – Life’s Luckii is special. Her delivery is ferocious. Her words are impactful and poignant. She controls any and all beats with an expertise that would make the most seasoned of artists jealous. She possesses the makings of a truly gifted artist and proves it yet again with her newest single, “Ugly Beautiful Life.” Over melodic production, Luckii muses about the inevitable high highs and low lows of life. However, she’s quick to remind us that the most beautiful aspect of this journey is the growth we experience as a result. This one will be on repeat for the foreseeable future, please DND.

HitKidd ft. GloRilla, Gloss Up, Aleza, Slimeroni, and K Carbon – Renegade

While everyone was busy getting their tree up and Christmas gifts wrapped, HitKidd quietly released Renegade, a collaborative album featuring Memphis’ hottest female MCs: GloRilla, Gloss Up, Aleza, Slimeroni, and K Carbon. Spanning 17 tracks, the project features some singles we’ve heard before (like smash hits “F.N.F” and “Shabooya”) and some standout brand new tracks like the menacing “Luv A” or the hypnotic “No Comment”. HitKidd’s production is nothing to play with, but the stars of the project are (unsurprisingly) the women, who yet again show that while they’re formidable apart they’re even better together.

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