South Florida has never lacked talent. What its emerging artists often lack is consistent visibility, strong media support and an infrastructure that helps their work travel beyond the communities where it began.
Hy-Lo News is working to help close that gap through “305 On The Rise,” a new annual initiative created to spotlight musicians throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
During a recent episode of “The Culture Report,” host and Hy-Lo News Managing Editor Dericka James was joined by Hy-Lo News CEO and Publisher Janey Tate and Senior Reporter Justin B. Smith to discuss how the inaugural class came together, the state of South Florida’s music scene and the responsibility local media has to help artists grow.
The idea emerged as Miami’s music community became the center of renewed online conversations. While social media debates and artist battles brought attention to the scene, Tate saw an opportunity for Hy-Lo News to use that momentum to create something more meaningful and lasting.
“I feel like we should be using our platform to elevate local artists in South Florida,” Tate said.
What began as an idea to profile several rappers quickly expanded into a broader celebration of musicians across genres. Tate compared the concept to XXL’s annual Freshman Class, but with a clear South Florida identity and the potential to return each year.
The initiative also builds on Hy-Lo News’ recent approach to election coverage, when the newsroom published a series of profiles introducing readers to candidates in local races. Tate said she wanted to bring that same focused energy to South Florida’s music industry.
“Let’s do a sprint and interview as many people as we can,” Tate said. “What my initial idea was and what you guys have allowed it to morph into is even better because it’s a lasting feature that we can do year after year.”
Smith said the conversation immediately sparked a larger creative vision for the initiative.
“Miami has so much to offer, especially with the arts, the music and the creative scene,” Smith said. “It started with a conversation, and now we are seeing it happen in real time.”
For Smith, the inaugural class should reflect the full cultural range of South Florida. He said he is looking for creativity, authenticity and something new, while recognizing that Black identity and music in the region cannot be reduced to one sound or experience.
“Miami and South Florida are a diverse melting pot,” Smith said. “Even with our Blackness down here, it’s not a monolith. I generally want to see people show up as themselves and really show what they have to offer.”
That range is central to the mission of “305 On The Rise.” The initiative is open to rappers, singers and musicians who can tell a compelling story about their artistry, their influences and the role South Florida has played in shaping their sound.
James said she is especially interested in artists who may still be unfamiliar to wider audiences but remain authentically rooted in the region. She and Smith will review the nominations and select the inaugural class before interviewing the chosen artists for a series of individual features.
The conversation also explored the challenges facing Miami’s music ecosystem. The group pointed to limited performance spaces, inconsistent showcases, gaps in marketing and a need for greater collaboration. Tate said artists are working together, but much of that activity remains invisible to people who are not already connected to the scene.
“The collaborations and the work together are very insider,” Tate said. “If you’re not tuned in directly to that artist, you just may not know what’s going on.”
She added that Black press and local media can do more to amplify the work already happening throughout South Florida. Hy-Lo News, which has served the community for 11 years, does not operate as a pay for play platform, Tate said. Artists can reach out directly when they have new music, performances or stories worth sharing.
Smith said strengthening the local industry will also require more camaraderie, collaboration and investment in the artists and regional legends who have already helped shape Miami’s sound.
The long term possibilities for “305 On The Rise” extend beyond written profiles. During the episode, the group imagined future photo shoots, special newsletters, live showcases and opportunities for selected artists to perform in front of members of the press, public relations professionals and music executives.
“I really want to give these artists a look in a field where they feel respected, loved and embraced by Hy-Lo,” Tate said. “I feel like the sky is the limit with this.”
At its heart, “305 On The Rise” is about documenting South Florida talent before the rest of the world catches up. James said she hopes a future breakout artist will be able to look back and name Hy-Lo News as one of the first platforms to recognize their work.
“I want to see big artists come out of South Florida, and we can say we were a part of putting them on the map, telling their story and showing Miami to the world,” James said.
Artists, musicians, rappers and singers interested in joining the inaugural “305 On The Rise” class can submit a nomination through the link in Hy-Lo News’ Instagram bio. Nominations close Sept. 22. After selections are made, the class will be announced and individual interviews will begin rolling out.
Watch the full conversation with Dericka James, Janey Tate and Justin B. Smith on “The Culture Report,” and follow Hy-Lo News for updates on the inaugural “305 On The Rise” class.
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