We may be biased, but when it comes to artistic expression and cultural diversity, there’s truly no place like Miami. From world-class galleries to nightclubs pulsating with energizing beats, you can say the city is a living canvas. But behind those spaces are incredible artists, innovators and entrepreneurs shaping the landscape with their unique creations and perspectives.
Such individuals in the world of art, music, film and photography have been featured in Secret Media Network’s first-ever top 100 list. The newly unveiled lineup spotlights the city’s local talent across multiple categories: Food & Drink, Experiential & Sport, Pioneers and, of course, Arts & Culture.
What is Secret Media Network 100?
SMN100 is an annual list celebrating top innovators from all over the country redefining what it means to make our cities incredible places to live, enjoy and explore. Honorees are selected based on their influence within their communities, with additional spots reserved for Public’s Pick, selected through a nationwide survey.
Meet the stellar locals making a difference in Miami’s arts and culture scene:
Akia Dorsainvil
Miami’s own Akia Dorsainvil, known by many as DJ Pressure Point and ‘King of the Queer Scene,’ is a multi-disciplinary artist and programmer carving out inclusive spaces within the city’s nightlife. In addition to bringing the beats and good vibes, they are one of the founders of Masisi — and more recently, Masisi Radio — a music collective dedicated to celebrating Black queer expression. He works to amplify the art and work of queer, trans and gender non-conforming Miamians from the Caribbean diaspora.
Bridget Finn
Attracting thousands of art enthusiasts every year, Art Basel Miami Beach needs no introduction. At the helm of the esteemed fair is Bridget Finn, whose new role as director includes steering it to new levels of excellence. With a longstanding presence in the art world, she’s focused on bringing a fresh vision to the fair and meeting the needs of galleries, collectors and artists. She wrapped up her first Basel in 2024 — with 286 galleries from 38 countries — in which she brought in the largest group of newcomers in over 15 years.
Doechii
Doechii, whose real name is Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon, brings a unique sound, creative bars and dynamic performances to the world of hip-hop and R&B. The Tampa native and self-proclaimed ‘Swamp Princess’ has had quite a year, making history as the third woman to win Best Rap Album at the Grammys for her Florida-coded mixtape “Alligator Bites Never Heal”, and recently named Billboard’s Woman of the Year for 2025. While we know Tampa is nowhere near Miami, we love seeing our Sunshine State rightfully represented on the global stage!
AYA
Leslie “Aya” Ayafor, a Cameroon-born DJ based in Miami, is at the forefront of the city’s afrobeats and amapiano scene. When noticing a lack of authentic African music and party spaces in the city, he set out to create Stamped — an all-out monthly sensation setting dance floors ablaze with the infectious sounds of African genres. More than just music, attendees can expect delectable African cuisine, fashion and jewelry vendors, as well as dancers and drum performances.
Margot Mottaz
As head of curatorial for Superblue, Margot Mottaz has worked with the Miami museum since its early beginnings, bringing forward immersive installations and supporting artists in bringing their visions to life exactly as they imagined. From Es Devlin, James Turrell and teamLab’s “Every Wall is a Door” to Studio Lemercier’s “Lightfall,” her selections have brought an impressive display of experiential art for visitors to interact with.
Paperwater
Paperwater, composed of longtime friends and producers Eddy Samy and Daygee Kwia, is a musical duo pulling influences from pop, hip-hop and indie to create afro tech. The pair first met at Miami Sunset Senior High before becoming a force to be reckoned with in Miami’s music scene. With a series of albums and EPs, and collaborations with artists like the late Virgil Abloh and Black Coffee, Samy and Kwia draw from the rich cultural tapestry of their Haitian and Liberian roots in their genre-defying tracks.
Phraa
Hailing from Ecuador, Raynner Alba — better known as Phraa — is a creative director and photographer making big moves in Miami. A self-taught artist in the field, he’s captured some of the world’s most famous names through his lens, such as J Balvin, Rihanna, Shakira, Will Smith, Leo Messi and more. From snapping the day-to-day while on Maluma’s team to joining Karol G on her record-breaking tour, his inspiring work has even found its way onto Times Square billboards, album covers and publications like Variety and Billboard.
Rachel Bleemer
Lights, camera, action! The Miami Film Festival rolls around every year to showcase the work of local filmmakers and global talent all across the city. As senior programmer for the festival, Rachel Bleemer’s passion for watching films and selecting which ones to put in front of Miami’s diverse audience go hand in hand. With years of experience in the industry, she searches far and wide to bring the absolute best global cinema that resonates with the community.
Rose Alexis
As a photographer, creative director, model and stylist, Rose Alexis does a bit of everything in front of and behind the lens. Not to mention, the Miami-based, Haitian creative is the CEO of her very own Spazgyal Brand. Her beautifully shot photography can be found in the pages of Vogue Italia and Paper Magazine, while she’s modeled for top brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Puma. She strives to challenge industry norms, push for more brown and Black representation and inspire the next generation of artists.