Miami has always been known for its raging EDM festivals, but in 2015, the rap game stepped up big time. Rap-based festivals like Dope Entertainment’s Rolling Loud, Vive Block Party, Underground Report, and MIA Jam Fest all give a platform to South Florida’s rappers to showcase their talent.
The artists on our list have worked their butts off to make a name for themselves and put Palm Beach, Broward, and Dade counties on the map for rap. Of course, there are hundreds of dope rappers blazing the streets of the 'hood, but only a handful made this cut.
If you see your favorite rapper, kudos to him (or her!). If you’re not on this list and consider yourself a South Florida rapper, it's time to step your bars up. Here are the ten best
Denzel Curry
Denzel Curry is usually the first name that comes to mind when you’re asked, “Who's your favorite Miami rapper?” The 20-year-old's popularity grew in large part from SpaceGhostPurrp, another native Miami rapper whose Raider Klan released Curry's first mixtape, King Remembered Underground Tape 1991-1995, back in 2011. After gaining cosigns from Earl Sweatshirt and other members of Odd Future, the rest has been history.
Denzel Curry's first album, Nostalgic 64, was named one of the best rap projects to come out of Miami in 2013 by our sister paper, Miami New Times. That deserved bragging right landed him on the same stage as popular Coral Springs rapper Robb Bank$ and at a monthly networking event at the Void Miami. Right now, he’s on tour with Joey Bada$$ performing your favorite hits from his latest mixtape, the critically acclaimed 32 Zel / Planet Shrooms.
StarLife Entertainment
StarLife Entertainment is a collective of hip-hop artists based out of Opa-
The group pays homage by performing alongside some of Miami’s best, including Yung Simmie and Pouya, but also touching mics with Waka Flocka and Compton Menace as well. Lately it seems like being out on the road has taken priority over new music, but it's been confirmed that a new project is on the way.
Robb Bank$
Robb Bank$ has made it clear that it’s not impossible for Broward County to make a name for itself. After dropping his debut mixtape, Calendars, in 2012, the internet has been begging for more from the young rap star. Since then, 2013's Tha City mixtape has kept South Florida fans loyal, and now Bank$ is gearing up for a tour with IndigoChildRick and Wifisfuneral. Bank$'s latest project, Year of the Savage, has been years in the making and is finally out via a distribution deal with 300 Entertainment.
“I felt it was the right route for this project in particular because I honestly just want to make sure everyone hears this body of work," says Bank$. "It’s truly my best yet.” You can grab tickets to check it out live on tour at YOTStour.com.
Yung Simmie
If you don’t have Yung Simmie in your “turn-up” playlist, we may not want to turn up with you. The resident rapper is known for starting off a good night by lighting up a few and pouring out a cup. He's constantly bragging about stealing your girl — on his latest video for "Dead Beat," Simmie strolls through the streets of Opa-
His latest track, "It Was Me," is just a taste of what you can expect on his highly anticipated Basement Musik 3, blessing his SoundCloud on October 15. The special thing about this mixtape is that there are no features. BM3 is for the
IndigoChildRick
Last year, IndigoChildRick completely vanished from the Miami music scene, leaving us with nothing but a goodbye on Twitter. He promised a present for us when he got back. Being dormant for almost a year gave the 19-year-old Broward rapper enough time to plan a comeback, and he came back even harder than he left.
After releasing "Retribution," the rap-metal mashup you didn't know you’ve been dying for, he hasn’t stopped spoon-feeding his hungry fans. As of late, he became BFFs with Broward’s own Robb Bank$, creating magic on "Game Over." The two, along with Wifisfuneral, are set to tour together this October.
Sylvan LaCue
Sylvan LaCue, formerly known as QuESt, recently changed his name, but the crisp, lyrical aspect of his tracks remains the same. Sylvan’s life has had its up and downs, including going through homelessness, losing his job, and leaving Visionary Music Group, but that didn’t stop him from releasing Searching Sylvan, his best project to date.
The Miami rapper was the champion of Jermaine Dupri’s “Survival of the MCs” competition, completely blowing 660 other hip-hop artists out of the water. He was also nominated for XXL Magazine’s coveted Freshman Class cover feature, helping keep Miami on the map. Although it has been over a year since the release of Sylvan’s last project, his newest work, Far From Familiar, drops this winter.
Pouya
Can you keep up? This young Miami rapper speed-raps through your favorite tracks, still managing to be well-spoken and witty.
Pouya has dropped individual tracks here and there, including "Dumb Fucks" and "
Wifisfuneral
At only 18 years old, Wifisfuneral is living the dream. The Palm Beach rapper dropped out of high school and teamed up with Dope Entertainment to give the rap game a run for its money. His latest project, This Is Temporary, broke the internet with more than 100,000 plays in less than a week. His uncut rap style gives South Florida exactly what it is missing from the radio.
"I don’t really agree with the direction labels are going right now, so I’m going to keep everything independent," the fiercely independent rapper told New Times in a recent interview. "No one is telling me I can’t be myself." If you’re looking for Wifisfuneral to turn up in your city, you’re in luck. Wifi is teaming up with IndigoChildRick, Robb Bank$, and more for the Year Of The Savage Tour, which just kicked off at Miami's III Points festival over the weekend.
She created a lane for herself through Southern influence, making waves in Miami and across the country with her release of Paradise Lost, released via the U.K.’s Fact Magazine. “It represents the allure of a beautiful environment and the illusions that come with that,” she says. Currently, she’s working on her next single, but no release date has been announced.
Fallon
Fallon has been bringing back the classic sound of hip-hop since the age of 10. Since joining Personality Music, a South Florida clothing
Fallon just released her first solo project, House Party, which takes you into a complete #TBT with it’s '90s themes.
