Miami-Dade County will honor its local music scene by co-naming several streets after hit songs and artists with strong ties to the area. Commissioner Keon Hardemon led the initiative, which was recently approved by the county commission, aiming to highlight Liberty City's 18th Avenue and surrounding areas.
Hardemon said in a statement to NBC Miami, "Since I’ve been elected, that’s been my mission. We’re moving on to the next phase of what it takes to bring Broadway to the 21st century, and allow it to compete with Wynwood and Overtown and things of that nature." In total, 22 street corners will be renamed, mostly inspired by Hip-Hop and rap music, reflecting the area's cultural influence.
The streets chosen for renaming are located between Northwest 18th Avenue and the City of Miami boundary, an area historically known for juke joints and bars, welcoming Black artists during segregation. "If you play this music to the people who are from this area, they are going to light up like it’s the Fourth of July," Hardemon told NBC Miami. The new street names were selected based on the artists' chart success and their lasting impact on Miami-Dade County's culture and economy. Some names sparked debates, including "Grind With Me Terrace," which was replaced with "People Change" after concerns about the song's lyrics.
"I’m not married to any of the songs on this list, I’m married to the purpose of what we are doing," Hardemon said in a statement obtained by Local 10.
The renaming plan has received mixed reactions. Commissioner Eileen Higgins raised concerns about certain connotations, but the overall response has been positive. District 13 Commissioner René Garcia, initially hesitant due to personal music preferences, ultimately agreed: "Even though I’m not a big fan of some of the lyrics in some of these songs, who am I to stand in the way of trying to do something innovative for your community and your constituency?" according to NBC Miami.
