Episode 14: How to MAKE a MAD Movement with IMAKEMADBEATS

IMAKEMADBEATS—artist, producer, and founder/CEO of UNAPOLOGETIC—began his artistic journey with rejection and the struggle of not fitting in. With a computer programming background and experience as a recording engineer at Quad Studios in Manhattan, a pivotal moment came during a session with Busta Rhymes, who shared Q-Tip's advice about knowing yourself before succeeding. This prompted him to draw his now-iconic mask during sociology class—a visual representation that "what I actually look like is not important." When founding UNAPOLOGETIC, he recognized many Memphis artists felt forced to leave their hometown to pursue unique creative visions. Having experienced this struggle, he created a platform for diverse artistic expressions unified by what he calls a "genre of sincerity and vulnerability." His vision expanded beyond music to include fashion and multimedia projects, reflecting his belief that "the music industry no longer exists" as a standalone entity but has evolved into a broader creative industry.