305 On The Rise: OGNEILJAY Is Bringing Alternative R&B and a New Wave of Sound to South Florida

South Florida’s music scene has never been limited to one sound, and Broward County artist OGNEILJAY is making his own contribution to its evolving musical landscape.

The singer, songwriter and producer is among the 10 artists selected for Hy-Lo News’ inaugural 305 On The Rise Class of 2026, a group highlighting emerging talent from across South Florida.

During an interview on the latest episode of The Culture Report, OGNEILJAY spoke with Hy-Lo News Managing Editor Dericka Jaye about his musical influences, production process, upcoming projects and his vision for creating a new wave of music in the region.

Although he previously identified his sound primarily as alternative, OGNEILJAY said R&B has become the foundation of his musical identity.

“I’m not going to lie. I’m super R&B at this point,” he said. “I feel like that’s what I’ve been doing, and that’s what I enjoy doing the most.”

He describes his approach as drawing from different genres while maintaining R&B as its foundation, pointing to artists such as Kelela and D’Angelo as examples of musicians who embrace that versatility.

Music has been a part of OGNEILJAY’s life since childhood. Growing up, he participated in band, theater and choir, developing an interest in the performing arts from as early as age four. His father also played a significant role in shaping his musical foundation, regularly playing the music of Luther Vandross and John Legend around the house.

Those early influences continue to find their way into his sound, even when he isn’t consciously drawing from them.

When it comes to South Florida influences, OGNEILJAY said the region’s culture as a whole has helped shape his perspective as an artist. He also named fellow South Florida musician Gabriel Jacoby as someone whose work currently resonates with him.

His music reflects that range of influences, moving between alternative R&B, guitar-driven arrangements and more upbeat sounds. When introducing new listeners to his catalog, he recommends “2 Plus 2 Dancing,” a track he said represents the kind of sound he had been working toward.

“I feel like that one, like, I was itching to put it out,” he said, explaining that he spent time developing the record before releasing it.

For OGNEILJAY, creating music is about more than recording vocals over an instrumental. He produces much of his own work, often starting with instrumentals before building the rest of a song around them.

He estimates that he has approximately 200 instrumental ideas in his catalog, some of which take days to develop while others may take a year or two to reach their final form.

“I like it to age like wine,” he said.

He also collaborates frequently with his friend and musician Steven, who performs under the name Chaos Canine. The guitarist has contributed to several of OGNEILJAY’s records, including “Know You Now,” which he identified as one of his biggest songs alongside “Spider Lady.”

While OGNEILJAY handles much of his production independently, he credits their creative chemistry and friendship with helping bring his musical ideas to life.

That willingness to experiment also extends to his visual work. The artist said he has released approximately five music videos this year, often developing detailed concepts and scripts before filming. However, he remains open to changing direction when circumstances call for it.

“The pivot could make it better,” he said.

As a member of the 305 On The Rise inaugural class, OGNEILJAY sees an opportunity to contribute to a different musical identity for South Florida.

Reflecting on the region’s music scene, he pointed to the cultural shifts following the death of XXXTentacion in 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic as periods that affected the trajectory of local creatives.

While he recognizes the attention often directed toward established music markets such as Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, he believes South Florida has the potential to establish a stronger presence of its own.

“Everybody’s looking at Atlanta, everybody’s looking at New York and L.A. and even Chicago for reasons that are good,” he said. “But, like, that means that if you break through here, you’re breaking through. Like, everybody sees you.”

He also believes that creating a new wave of music locally starts with artists embracing their individuality rather than trying to fit into an established sound.

“I think making a new wave down here is for sure very possible,” he said. “And I feel like I’m doing it right now.”

Looking ahead, OGNEILJAY is working on his first full-length album, a project he said has been in development for approximately two years. Although he kept specific details under wraps, he described it as a potential breakthrough moment in his career.

The upcoming release will mark a new chapter for the artist, who has previously released shorter projects, including EPs and mixtapes.

He explained that his approach to releasing music has also evolved as his audience has grown. Rather than focusing on putting out music as frequently as possible, he wants to create records that listeners can connect with and remember.

For him, a song’s impact goes beyond its initial release.

“This song can be like a pivotal point in somebody’s life to where when they hear this song, like, it takes them back to, ‘Yo, I remember where I was,'” he said.

With his first album on the way and a growing catalog that blends alternative influences with R&B, OGNEILJAY is continuing to develop a sound that reflects both his individual artistry and the musical possibilities of South Florida.

OGNEILJAY is set to graduate from college in December 2026, making the upcoming album and the next phase of his career particularly significant.

OGNEILJAY is a member of Hy-Lo News’ inaugural 305 On The Rise Class of 2026, highlighting emerging artists connected to South Florida. Find his music and updates at @ogneiljay.