If you’ve been anywhere near Memphis’ creative scene in the past decade, you’ve felt the ripple effects of IMAKEMADBEATS, producer, engineer, CEO, and founder of UNAPOLOGETIC. His mission is clear: do things differently, and help others do the same. His art is music, it’s disruption, a push toward change, and a vehicle for shining a brighter light on what he believes should be visible.
“I’m from Orange Mound,” he says. “I’m just as Memphis as anybody else.”
Coming Home to Purpose
MAD spent seven years in New York carving out a successful career in music. But it wasn’t until he came back to Memphis that things truly took off. Within a short time, his work was featured in the New York Times, a moment he cites as proof that purpose changes everything.
“I could’ve been a musician anywhere,” he says. “But it wasn’t until I came back to Memphis and felt the need to create a platform for myself and other artists like me that things truly took off.”
Memphis welcomed him with open arms and gave him the wind at his back to create something bigger than himself.
❤️ Why UNAPOLOGETIC. Exists
LJ1S knew about UNAPOLOGETIC. from day one, meeting founder IMAKEMADBEATS early on.
MAD founded UNAPOLOGETIC. for one very personal reason: to be the support system he needed at 16.
“I created UNAPOLOGETIC. to help people be themselves vulnerably and loudly,” he explains. “That’s what I needed help with when I was younger. Now that I’ve learned to do that, UNAPOLOGETIC. helps other artists do the same, and turn their art and vulnerability into economic viability.”
The collective works with its own roster of artists while also partnering with companies and brands to tell stories in unique, authentic ways. At its core, UNAPOLOGETIC. is for “those who want to do things differently and feel great about doing it.”
The Night That Defined the Vision
Ask MAD about his favorite UNAPOLOGETIC. moment, and he doesn’t hesitate: Stuntarious Vol. IV, November 2019.
“It was one of the most creative events I’ve ever seen thrown in this city, even if I had nothing to do with it,” he laughs.
The night was an immersive block party, a collaboration with Indie Memphis, so convincing that some attendees thought real arrests were happening.
“It showed the variety and the spectrum of what we represent,” he says. “And how much joy we get from high-level execution.”
👀 Eyes on the Next Decade
As UNAPOLOGETIC. turns 10, MAD is focused on scaling the business, bringing in new artists, and pushing deeper into the art itself.
“This message is national to international,” he says. “I want to keep disrupting, keep opening doors, keep partnering with like-minded artists, brands, and organizations. This started in a bedroom, but it can compete with anyone, anywhere.”
🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of UNAPOLOGETIC
Happening August 16, 2025, from 5–10 PM at Memphis Made Brewing Co. and The Ravine, the free mini-festival will feature performances, pop-ups, games, skits, guest appearances, and surprises that capture the spirit of the past 10 years while hinting at what’s next.
UNAPOLOGETIC.10
📅 August 16, 2025
🕔 5–10 PM
📍 The Ravine @ Memphis Made Brewing Co.
🎟️ Free.00
Stay tuned to Choose901 for our UNAPOLOGETIC.10 Artist Spotlight Series, featuring more on LJ1S and his fellow creatives leading up to the big day.
