Petition Seeks Change From “Main Street” to “Mane Street”

Gabbie Duffie

A new petition online seeks to change the name of “Main Street” to “Mane Street.”

Memphis artist James “IMAKEMADBEATS” Dukes posted the petition Tuesday. He is seeking 5,000 digital signatures to send the petition to city officials here. Dukes’ petition had 75 signatures Wednesday morning.

Here’s what Dukes said of the change on the petition site:

“Mane.

Hello, I’m IMAKEMADBEATS. I’m an artist/producer/engineer from Orange Mound, Memphis, Tennessee, and founder of Unapologetic, a creative company. thepetitionsite.com

If you’re from Memphis, you know the many ways the word ‘mane’ is used. It’s a part of our culture as Memphians. To be clear, I’m not talking about Southern culture. I’m talking about what is to be from and live in this unique space in the corner of Tennessee.

It’s a word we’re proud of… one that has made it’s way into movies about our culture… songs about our culture. It’s a word used by the old and the young, crossing all demographic divides.
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IMAKEMADBEATS

People from this city have become the culture shifters, celebrated around the world, and a lot of the time it seems the rest of the world celebrates, adopts, and makes more money off of our culture than we do. Our ideas in music have fueled other Southern cities’ identity in the music industry.

It’s time that Memphis did what was necessary to not only take ownership in who we are and what we are, but for the city officials to show the people of Memphis appreciation for being and creating this culture.

And ‘mane’ is a big part of our culture. So why is Main Street called Main Street again? Just because all cities have a Main Street?

Well, Memphis isn’t all cities. It’s a very different city, in an amazing way.

Make Main Street Mane Street. Let’s make sure we appreciate us.”

Check out IMAKEMADBEATS on Soundcloud: