By Ezra Wheeler 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…
For the past half century, hip-hop DJs and producers have been in a constant state of competition to find the perfect sample to help bring a track to life. Unsurprisingly, the music of Memphis–particularly ‘60s and ‘70s soul–has proven to be an especially fruitful source for the perfect snippet. Although we’d love to list the…
Story by Katie Kelly Photos c/o Spek Was Here It’s raining when I arrive at the studio to meet Memphis trio Supa Glock Bros. Two of the three members, Spek Was Here and Dame Mufasa, are already there when I walk in. We start talking about anything and everything – the Kendrick vs. Drake beef,…
Story by Ezra Wheeler; Photos c/o Winston “SnapGod” Taylor Last month, Memphis musician Rose Gold Jones released his newest album Beautiful Things Don’t Ask For Attention, which eludes traditional narratives of rap glamour to explore the complexities of self, strife, romance, and resilience. We caught up with the artist to discuss the album, his background,…
Story by Katie Kelly Photo by Jackson Hendrix “I am not you, bitch I am me,” is the resounding declaration made within the first 3 seconds of A Weirdo From Memphis’ single “Polo.” The statement and delivery is riveting, not just because of the boldness, but because you’re left with the unmistakable feeling that this…
Memphis music is truly unstoppable. Each month welcomes more and more incredible new projects. Here are just 5 we’re highlighting for May that we’ve had on repeat: MonoNeon ft. George Clinton – “Quilted!” One thing’s for sure, there’s no shortage of funk in musician MonoNeon’s music. But if y’all had any doubts, he kicked…
By now, it’s a widely accepted fact that Memphis’ underground rap scene of the ’90s helped to lay the groundwork for much of what proceeded it, including crunk, trap, and the South’s ascendence to the center of the hip-hop universe. Considering that many of these influential artists began with home recordings and without the backing…
By Katie Kelly Last month, Memphis rapper Bleu Levees dropped his latest project The LSD Tapes Vol 1. The experimental EP spans 3 tracks – all of which impressively showcase his growing stylistic range while still maintaining a cohesive narrative. This duality is no happy accident. To say Bleu Levees is an intentional artist would…
Memphis music is truly unstoppable. Each month welcomes more and more incredible new projects. Here are just 5 we’re highlighting for March that we’ve had on repeat: Uni’q – “Ain’t No Sleepin” One thing about the Unapologetic crew is that they are ALWAYS working. Their output is unreal not only because of the volume, but…
