(ABOUT)
OUR STORY.
AN INDEPENDENT R&B LABEL, BUILT FROM FLORIDA
(001) OUR STORY
IT STARTED WITH A BLOG.
In 2014, TheNuMiami wasn’t a label — it was a blog. Founder Akeem Brownlee started it in Miami to spotlight South Florida artists who weren’t getting attention anywhere else. It would take years, and a lot of self-taught hustle, before it became the company it is today.
THE SPARK
R&B Was Missing From the Conversation
Miami’s rap scene was exploding in the mid-2010s, especially around Wynwood. Brownlee was watching it happen up close but felt R&B had no real home in that moment — so he set out to build one.
THE GRIND
A Bedroom, a Mic, and a Lot of Self-Teaching
Growing up in Carol City on his mother’s 90s R&B — Mary J. Blige, Kelly Price, SWV, Xscape — Brownlee taught himself audio engineering and the business side of music from his parents’ house, saving up piece by piece.
2016
Discovering Savannah Cristina
A video she posted online caught Brownlee’s attention — not just her voice, but her songwriting. What followed was years of artist development that would become one of TheNuMiami’s foundational stories.
2019
A Real Studio, and a New Artist
TheNuMiami got its first real home — SoundWAV, a proper studio and headquarters. The same year, longtime collaborator Twelve’Len introduced Brownlee to ZYA, whose vocals and freestyle ability made her the label’s next key signing.
2019
"Self Care" Goes Viral
Savannah Cristina filmed herself performing “Self Care” on a beach. The video went on to be viewed millions of times — proof that a grassroots, homegrown approach could produce a genuine national moment.
2020
The Warner Records Deal
Savannah signed with Warner Records — a turning point that let Brownlee leave his day job and run TheNuMiami full time. It marked the shift from a DIY passion project to a real artist-development operation.
2020
Justin Wiggins Joins In-House
Producer Justin Wiggins signed on for in-house management, and the label began a distribution partnership with Vydia.
2021
Signing Beyond Florida: Gen Bello
TheNuMiami signed its first artist from outside Florida. Gen Bello released her self-titled EP ‘Geneses’ along with singles ‘So Good’ and ‘Summer in Harlem.’
2022
Kayland Comes Aboard
Kayland joined as the label’s in-house singer-songwriter, releasing three singles: ‘Control,’ ‘Stamina,’ and ‘Surrender.’
2023
ZYA's Breakout Feature
ZYA landed a major feature, ‘Conflicted,’ alongside DRAM — one of the label’s biggest placements yet.
2023–2025
Loe Shimmy & the Rebel Music Chapter
Brownlee worked closely with Loe Shimmy as his main engineer from late 2023 through late 2025, helping land Justin Wiggins a placement with him along the way — before stepping into the role of Music Operations Manager for Rebel Music, home to artists like Sexxy Red, HonestAV, and Loe Shimmy.
2025
Justin Wiggins Signs With APG
Justin Wiggins signed a publishing deal with Mike Caren’s Artist Publishing Group (APG).
Don’t wait for perfect. Start.
Today, Brownlee describes the goal simply: to build Miami’s own version of a legendary Southern R&B label — a place that doesn’t just release music, but develops artists and shapes a sound. That’s still the mission behind everything below.
(002) MISSION
BUILDING R&B’S NEXT ERA — FROM FLORIDA TO THE WORLD.
TheNuMiami is a full-service independent R&B record label and music entertainment company. We provide artist development, music releases and distribution, marketing and branding, publishing administration, licensing, project management, revenue management, and creative support — everything an artist needs to build a lasting career, under one roof.
(003) WHAT WE DO
FULL-SERVICE, FROM DAY ONE.
01
Artist Development
Vocal, visual and career development for artists at every stage.
02
Release & Distribution
Getting music onto every platform, on time, done right.
03
Marketing & Branding
Building an identity and audience around the music.
04
Publishing Administration
Protecting and managing the rights behind every song.
05
Licensing
Placing music in film, TV, ads and beyond.
06
Project Management
Keeping every release, rollout and deadline on track.
07
Revenue Management
Transparent accounting so artists get paid, correctly and on time.
08
Creative Support
Visuals, content and creative direction for every project.
(004) WHO WE SERVE
BUILT FOR THE CULTURE.
R&B Artists
Singers
Songwriters
Producers
Independent Creatives
Music Partners
Brands
(005) LET'S TALK
A Florida Sound. A Global Vision.