A Freestyle Homecoming at VIVO! Miami

Miami, Fl – Freestyle may have its roots in New York, but Miami gives it rhythm. From the roller rinks to the radio waves, the 305 shapes freestyle’s signature sound: Latin-tinged synths, booming basslines, and vocals that wear their hearts on mesh sleeves. The Spring Love Music Festival at VIVO! Dolphin Mall on June 21, 2025, serves as both a tribute and testament to the genre’s resilience—anchored by the very city that helped it rise. The show, headlined by Ft. Lauderdale’s own Stevie B, is a who’s who of artists that put the Miami Freestyle and Bass music genre’s on the map. Performing on this evening are Giggles, Erotic Exotic, Voice In Fashion, MC Shy D, Rudy Gil of Secret Society, Gucci Crew, John Minnis of Nice & Wild, Lewis Martineé’s O-Baby, Mad Stuntman, Freestyle and the evening’s headliner, Stevie B.

Freestyle music, as a genre, would not enjoy the success it continues to have if not for the army of dj’s that have kept the sound alive across 4 decades. Among the most notable are several of the hosts of this evening’s event, which include Felix Sama, Dj Zog, DJ Johnny Quest and DJ/Producer/Songwriter, Lewis Martineé. DJ Felix Sama commands the stage as the evening’s host, blending nostalgia with natural charm. Between sets, his commentary bridges past and present, teasing memories from longtime fans. Meanwhile, DJ Zog and DJ Johnny Quest keep the venue pulsing with seamless transitions through classic freestyle, Miami bass, and hip-hop. Their crates run deep—and their timing’s even deeper.

The afternoon opens with pulsating dj sets celebrating all that is Miami music and although the temps in South Florida and June are hot, they pale in comparison the the heat generated by fans eager to experience the Spring Love Music Festival. Fans are whipped into a frenzy by the nostalgic trip down memory lane by DJ Miguelito, in preparation for the evening’s opener, Giggles. Giggles is joined on stage by another freestyle legend, Charlie Rock. Charlie, while an artist and performer himself, is also a songwriter and producer. Most notably, he is the songwriter behind the most successful Freestyle duet by Cynthia and Johnny O, “Dreamboy, Dreamgirl”. Giggle’s set includes her new single, “Tell Me“, as well as “What Goes Around, Comes Around“. Her set ends with her mega hit, “Love Letter“. Charlie continues to keep freestyle alive with a 40th Anniversary of Freestyle show at at the Osceola Heritage Park Silver Spurs Arena in October this year.

Photo: Ivan Romero

Erotic Exotic amps up the synth-pop edge as they take the stage and open with “Take Me As I Am.” The performance feels defiant and cinematic—part love letter, part anthem. The anthemic them continues with “I Can Give You What You Need” before wrapping up their brief set with fan favorite, “L.O.V.E“. The two original members of Erotic Exotic, Al Perez and Johnny Aguilo share the stage with a crew of musicians that round out the classing Erotic Exotic sound and includes, among others, former Secret Society percussionist and vocalist, Frank Lords.

As the show progresses, it is not uncommon to run into other notable people in the South Florida music scene. On this evening, you would have and the opportunity to run into R&B artist and music producer, Michael Sterling, who’s credits include work with MC Shy D, Two Live Crew and Poison Clan as well as a brief stint with reggae royalty, Inner Circle. A real surprise is running into Nu-Metal lead vocalist of Florida based Nonpoint, Elias Soriano. He is not too hard to spot in the crowd, sporting his signature lengthy braids. By his own admission, also a huge fan of the Freestyle genre.

The Voice in Fashion, led by brothers Sal and David Hanono, leans into sleek synths and haunting harmonies. “Only in the Night” and “Give Me Your Love” bring a glow to the crowd, their vocals still razor sharp after all these years. They include a fantastic cover of the Pet Shop Boys, “Domino Dancing“.

Photo: Ivan Romero

Changing the mood just a bit, MC Shy D takes the stage and crushes his hits, “Gotta Be Tough” , “I’m Not A Star” and “Shake It“. Dj Felix Sama makes a comment about his choice in apparel, pointing out that the next time around, he needs to sport a Miami Dolphins jersey as opposed to the Atlanta Falcons jersey.

The Gucci Crew II lets the party erupt. “Sally (That Girl)” and “The Cabbage Patch” hit with unfiltered nostalgia and endless bounce, proving they still own the dancefloor. A surprise appearance by Mad Stuntman is well received as he performs the chart-topping hit “I Like To Move It”, a club banger and arguably the most notable song on the Madagascar soundtrack.

Rudy Gil (of Secret Society) steps into the spotlight not just as a solo artist, but as a cornerstone of Miami’s freestyle foundation. As the voice behind Secret Society, Gil helps define the genre’s golden era in the late ’80s. Tracks like “We Belong Together,” “Why Did You Run Away,” and “Find Yourself” aren’t just club hits—they are emotional lifelines for a generation navigating love and heartbreak on the dance floor. His performance reminds the crowd why Secret Society became a cult favorite. Gil’s return to the stage is more than nostalgic—it’s a reaffirmation of freestyle’s poetic soul and Miami’s role in shaping it.

Photo: Ivan Romero

O-Baby, Lewis Martineé’s current project, has him revisiting the hits that put him on the mainstream map with the group performing the songs that led the Miami Freestyle push in the mid-80’s. There performance includes Expose favorites “Point of No Return” and ” Come Go With Me“. O-Baby members include Karina Fernandez, Rina Miranda and original Expose vocalist, Laurie Miller.

John Minnis (of Nice and Wild) opens with a “Swept Away” and wraps up his brief set with a sultry rendition of his signature hit. “Diamond Girl”. The crowd dances tirelessly and sings along to every word of the iconic hook, “your my diamond girl, ooh oh, diamond girl“. Proud of his work in the gym, John points out his physique to the crowd, advising them that he is 60 this year.

Freestyle takes the stage and sets it on fire with their performance of “It’s Automatic” and crowd Favorite, “Don’t Stop The Rock“. They set the mood for the highly anticipated headliner of the night, Stevie B.

As the lights dim and the crowd thickens, Stevie B walks onstage like a man returning home. In all white and backed by a full band, he opens with “Party Your Body,” instantly detonating the dance floor. His voice, undiminished by time, sails through hits like “I Wanna Be the One”, “In My Eyes” and “Dreamin’ of Love”. Adding to the spectacle that is Stevie B are several b-boys and b-girls dancing and breaking on stage. Then comes the twist: Stevie debuts “Como Te Llamas”, his first-ever Spanish-language single. Infused with modern Latin flair and classic freestyle DNA, the track electrifies the crowd—proof that Stevie doesn’t just carry the past, he reimagines the future. He closes, fittingly, with “Spring Love”. Arms wave. Voices harmonize. The crowd becomes a single entity.

The 2025 Spring Love Festival isn’t just a concert—it’s a revival, a cultural checkpoint, a 120-BPM heartbeat that refuses to fade. Miami doesn’t just host freestyle. It is freestyle. And as the music echoes into the night, so does the promise: freestyle forever.