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.

Micah McGee, known as Strooly, began his musical journey in a family of artists and musicians. His earliest memories include playing piano at his grandparents' house at age four, fascinated by harmonies and rhythms. Growing up around painters, illustrators, and screen printers instilled a DIY creative mentality that influenced his approach to art. Though he learned multiple instruments by ear (piano, guitar, drums, cello, and stand-up bass), his transition to electronic music production happened in college when limited space made traditional instruments impractical. After moving to Memphis in 2010, he joined a collective of DJs and producers called Voodoo Village, gaining experience in the backend of running a label. This eventually led to co-founding Future-Everything with his partner Anthony Carter, creating what he describes as "a living museum" for artists he believes in, focusing on music that evokes strong mental imagery and emotional narratives.