Love & Hip Hop: Miami is an American reality television series that premiered January 1, 2018 on VH1. It chronicles the lives of several people in the Miami area involved with hip hop music.[1][2] The show features appearances from notable figures associated with Southern hip hop, as well as Latin music and reggaeton.

Love & Hip Hop: Miami
GenreReality television
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons6
No. of episodes95 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Mona Scott-Young
  • Stephanie R. Gayle
  • James Knox
  • Lashan Browning
  • Donna Edge-Rachell
  • Paris Bauldwin
  • Daniel Wiener
  • Brian Schornak
  • Eric Cyphers
  • Markus Burns
  • Sitarah Pendelton
  • Phakiso Collins
  • Amara La Negra (s. 6)
  • Florence El Luche (s. 6)
  • Safaree Samuels (s. 6)
  • Ray J (s. 6)
  • Princess Love (s. 6)
  • Brooke Valentine (s. 6)
  • Marlon Dure (s. 6)
  • Shay Johnson (s. 6)
  • Marcus Black (s. 6)
  • Fabo (s. 6)
  • Eliza Reign (s. 6)
Running time42–44 minutes
Production companies
  • Monami Productions
  • Eastern TV (s. 1–2)
  • Big Fish Entertainment (s. 3)
  • New Group Productions (s. 4‍–‍5)
  • VH1 (s. 6)
Original release
NetworkVH1
ReleaseJanuary 1, 2018 (2018-01-01) –
present
Related

It is the fourth installment of the Love & Hip Hop franchise and, along with Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, one of two mainline spin-offs of the original Love & Hip Hop: New York currently in-production.

The series' sixth season premiered on November 18, 2024.[3]

Development

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Producers first considered a Love & Hip Hop spin-off set in Miami in 2012, before settling on Atlanta instead, with producer Stefan Springman revealing in the behind-the-scenes special Love & Hip Hop: Dirty Little Secrets: "we found great characters there but it just didn't feel right". Several episodes in Love & Hip Hop: New York's second season were filmed in Miami, originally intended to set up a spin-off starring Teairra Marí and Erica Mena.[4] On July 4, 2014, Scott-Young discussed expanding the franchise to other cities: "we have looked at a bunch of other cities, Miami I’ve looked at as well, so we’re always looking to expand."[5] On November 20, 2014, rapper Trina revealed she had turned down an offer for Love & Hip Hop: Miami.[6]

On February 28, 2016, it was reported that potential spin-offs set in Miami and Houston were in pre-production and the producers were auditioning potential cast members.[7] In April 2016, Trick Daddy and Trina confirmed their involvement in Love & Hip Hop: Miami, despite the latter turning down the offer years earlier.[8][9] Filming was set to begin in May 2016,[10] with Trick's storyline centered on managing his artists Mike Smiff and Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta's PreMadonna.[11] Plies, Brianna Perry and PreMadonna's husband Buck Thomas were also reported to be cast members at this time,[12] however, all their scenes were left on the cutting room floor during the show's nearly two year development and filming process. On April 20, 2017, after over a year of development hell, it was reported that the show's producers had been granted permission to start filming in South Florida.[13][14] At some point, the show's producers approached Gucci Mane and his fiancée Keyshia Ka'oir to star in the series, however, they turned it down to film a wedding special for BET.[15]

On May 8, 2017, Gunplay appeared on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, leading to speculation that his appearance was intended to set up Love & Hip Hop: Miami.[16]

On August 25, 2017, VH1 announced Love & Hip Hop: Miami would make its series premiere on January 1, 2018.[1]

Series synopsis

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Overview and casting

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Seasons 1–3

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The cast of the first season, from left to right: Veronica, Bobby, Gunplay, Trick Daddy, Trina, Amara, Shay and Prince.

Love & Hip Hop: Miami revolves around the personal and professional struggles of several rappers, singers and socialites in Miami's music scene. The series is notable for its diverse cast, which reflects Miami's racially and economically diverse community. It has a sprawling supporting cast, who (in most cases) share the same amount of screen time and storyline focus as the show's leads. The premiere episode deals with colorism and eurocentrism within the Latin community, including a scene where light-skinned producer Young Hollywood criticises dark-skinned singer Amara La Negra's afro.[17][18][19]

The original cast consisted of Trina, Trick Daddy, Gunplay, Afro-Latina singer Amara La Negra, Cuban-Venezuelan rapper Veronica Vega, openly gay rapper Bobby Lytes, socialite and party promoter Prince, and Flavor of Love's Shay Johnson. The first season's supporting cast would include Steph Lecor, Latin trap producer Young Hollywood, Keyara Stone, urban model and girlfriend of Gunplay, Grammy Award-nominated singer Pleasure P and his Pretty Ricky bandmate Baby Blue Whoaaaa, stripper-turned rapper Miami Tip, Joy Young, estranged wife of Trick Daddy, celebrity stylist Jojo Zarur, Jeffrey White, JT Money's openly gay son and boyfriend of Bobby Lytes, stylist Malik Williams, DJ Michelle Pooch, Prince's girlfriend Liz Cifuentes, model Gabby Davis, and mother-and-daughter brand ambassadors Chinese Kitty and Chinese Nicky. Although not mentioned in the initial cast announcement, Amara's mother Mami Ana and Jojo's mother Faride Nemer would appear in minor supporting roles.[20] Love & Hip Hop: New York's Juju C. and Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta's Lil Scrappy would make special crossover appearances.

On November 19, 2018, VH1 confirmed that nearly all of the show's cast would return for a second season, with Jojo promoted to the main cast. New supporting cast members would include Haitian-Canadian comedienne Jessie Woo, rapper Khaotic and Spectacular of Pretty Ricky.[21][22][23] Khaotic made headlines during filming, after he was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run incident.[24]

On November 15, 2019, Jojo Zarur announced that the show would return on January 6, 2020. On December 9, 2019, VH1 confirmed the season's premiere date, along with a promo featuring new cast members Sukihana, Brisco, Hood Brat and waist trainer entrepreneur PreMadonna, who had previously been attached to the show when it first started filming in 2016.[25] Jojo would return in a supporting role, while Veronica Vega left the series entirely. Prince, Gunplay and Baby Blue Whoaaaa, Pleasure P and Spectacular of Pretty Ricky filmed scenes for the season and were included as cast members in the season's press release, however were cut from the season when it eventually aired.[26] On December 11, 2019, VH1 announced the return of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta's Joseline Hernandez to the franchise,[27] who would join the cast alongside Shay Johnson's brother EmJay Johnson and model Nikki Natural, while rapper KaMillion and social media personality Saucy Santana, best known for his friendship with Yung Miami of City Girls, would appear as recurring guest stars.[26] Despite being credited as a main cast member for the entire season and heavily featured in its promotional material, Joseline disappeared from the show entirely after four episodes, after a series of interviews in which she criticised producer Mona Scott-Young.[28]

Seasons 4–present

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After over a year long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the show was retooled for season four, with only Trina, Amara, Trick and Sukihana returning to the main cast. New cast members include Ace Hood and his wife Shelah Marie, Noreaga and his wife Neri, and Florence El Luche. Bobby Lytes was demoted to supporting cast, along with Florence's sister Gaelle and husband Marlon, Suki's fiancé Kill Bill and cousin Isaiah, Trina's boyfriend Raymond Taylor and manager C.O. Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood's Ray J and Princess Love make crossover appearances. The season continued a year later without Ace and Shelah, and with the return of Shay Johnson in a supporting role.

On July 11, 2023, VH1 announced that the show would return for a fifth season on August 14, 2023.[3] It will be preceded by three clip show specials, Love & Hip Hop Miami: Top 10 Most Outrageous Moments on July 24, 2023, Love & Hip Hop Miami: Top 10 Most Legendary Moments on July 31, 2023 and Love & Hip Hop Miami: The Rewind on August 7, 2023, featuring cast members recapping moments of the show.[29]

Season five saw the promotion of Ray J and Princess to the main cast, as well as Safaree Samuels, making the latter the first ever cast member to appear in all four incarnations (Hollywood, New York, and Atlanta) of the franchise, replacing Noreaga and his wife Neri who did not return. New cast members include rapper Zoey Brinxx, manager Supa Cindy, businesswoman Eliza Reign, and Shay Johnson's boyfriend, rapper Fabo, aspiring rap stars the Hollywood Twins Aisha and Daisha, Shay's mother, Sandra Johnson appears in a supporting roles as well as Miami Tip who also appears in a supporting role after a two-year absence. Original cast member Gunplay also appears in a supporting role after a three-year absence with his wife Vonshae. Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta's Momma Dee makes crossover appearances during the season.

The second half of season five resumed on January 22, 2024, with mostly the cast returning, with the exception of Sukihana. Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood alumni Brooke Valentine, husband Marcus Black and Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta's Estelita Quintero appear in supporting roles.

Cast timeline

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  Main cast (appears in opening credits)
  Secondary cast (appears in green screen confessional segments and in end credits alongside the main cast)
  Guest cast (appears in a guest role or cameo)
Cast member Seasons
1 2 3 4A 4B 5A 5B 6
Trina Starring
Trick Daddy Starring
Amara La Negra Starring
Shay Johnson Starring Guest[a] Supporting Starring
Bobby Lytes Starring Supporting
Gunplay Starring Guest[a] Supporting
Prince Starring
Veronica Vega Starring
Jojo Zarur Supporting Starring Supporting
Sukihana Starring
PreMadonna Starring
Hood Brat Starring
Brisco Starring
Joseline Hernandez Starring
Florence El Luche Starring
Noreaga Guest Starring
Neri Santiago Starring
Ace Hood Guest Starring
Shelah Marie Starring
Ray J Guest Supporting Starring Supporting
Princess Love Supporting Starring Supporting
Safaree Samuels Starring
Zoey Brinxx Supporting Starring
Blac Chyna Starring
Derrick Milano Starring

Note:

  1. ^ a b Appears in the Love & Hip Hop Miami: Inside the 305 special only.

Reception

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Critical response

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Ebony praised the show and Afro-Latina star Amara La Negra for "inviting cultural conversations" about misogynoir and the underrepresentation of black Latinas in mainstream entertainment, hoping the franchise would continue to go in a more "conscious" direction.[30] La Negra was dubbed by Billboard as the show's "breakout star", landing a multi-album record deal with BMG hours after the show's premiere.[31] Critics say that La Negra’s attractiveness has helped the ratings on the show.[32] However, the show was not well received by some Miami locals, including Khia and TS Madison who reviewed it negatively on their web show The Queen's Court, comparing it to a "telemundo" and criticising the casting and production values, with Khia stating "they had everything bad but a bad bitch on there".[33]

Ratings

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The series premiere garnered 1.8 million viewers, making it VH1's best launch since Hip Hop Squares the previous year.[34] The show has struggled with ratings overall compared to its predecessors, which has been attributed to its confusing scheduling changes,[35] having had several different time slots in season two, before settling on Monday nights after Love & Hip Hop: New York.[36]

Episodes

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
112January 1, 2018 (2018-01-01)March 19, 2018 (2018-03-19)
214January 2, 2019 (2019-01-02)March 25, 2019 (2019-03-25)
314January 6, 2020 (2020-01-06)April 6, 2020 (2020-04-06)
42512August 23, 2021 (2021-08-23)November 8, 2021 (2021-11-08)
13August 8, 2022 (2022-08-08)October 17, 2022 (2022-10-17)
52512August 14, 2023 (2023-08-14)October 30, 2023 (2023-10-30)
13January 22, 2024 (2024-01-22)April 15, 2024 (2024-04-15)
6TBANovember 18, 2024 (2024-11-18)TBA

Distribution

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Love & Hip Hop: Miami episodes air regularly on VH1 in the United States.[37][38]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Love & Hip Hop Miami Starring Trina, Trick Daddy, and Gunplay, Is Coming In January 2018". Vh1.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  2. ^ "VH1 EXPANDS CABLE'S #1 UNSCRIPTED FRANCHISE WITH 'LOVE & HIP HOP: MIAMI'". Vh1Press. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Instagram".
  4. ^ "Somaya Reece Replaced on "Love & Hip Hop"". Vladtv.com. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  5. ^ thejasminebrand (July 4, 2014). "[INTERVIEW] Exclusive: Mona Scott-Young Downplays Reality TV Fights, Hints LA Spin-Off 'Coming Soon'". TheJasmineBrand.com. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  6. ^ djvlad (November 20, 2014). "Trina Shares Why She Rejected 'Love & Hip Hop: Miami' Offer". YouTube. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  7. ^ "'Love & Hip Hop' -- Now Sexier & Sweatier! Eyeing Two New Cities". TMZ. February 28, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  8. ^ "Trick Daddy to Star on 'Love & Hip Hop Miami". XXL Magazine. April 19, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  9. ^ "Trick Daddy confirms 'Love & Hip Hop: Miami'". Miami Herald. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  10. ^ "Trick Daddy Joins 'Love & Hip Hop: Miami' Cast". Hiphopdx.com. April 18, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  11. ^ "Exclusive: Premadonna Responds To Rumors That She's Joining The Cast Of 'Love & Hip Hop Miami' With Trina & Trick Daddy". Bossip.com. July 20, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  12. ^ "Former NFL Player Bryant Mckinnie, Plies & Trick Daddy Cast in 'Love & Hip Hop: Miami'". Popglitz.com. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  13. ^ "Filming in Miami: April 20, 2017 - Miami Today". Miamitodaynews.com. April 18, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  14. ^ "Filming in Miami: June 1, 2017 - Miami Today". Miamitodaynews.com. May 30, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  15. ^ "#TSRExclusive: VH1 Wanted Gucci Mane And Keyshia Ka'oir To Star In Love & Hip Hop Miami Prior To Wedding Special-BET Came In And Made A Better Deal - The Shade Room". Theshaderoom.com. June 7, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  16. ^ "Gunplay showed up on #LHHATL and fans speculate that he is being used to introduce 'Love & Hip Hop Miami'". Hip-hopvibe.com. May 9, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  17. ^ "'Love & Hip Hop Miami' premiere eclipsed by controversy — over an afro". Miamiherald.com. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  18. ^ "What Went Viral On Latinx Media This Week: 12/29 - 1/5". Aldianews.com. January 5, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  19. ^ Gray, Danielle (January 3, 2018). "It Is 2018 and Idiots Are STILL Saying You Can't Be Elegant With an Afro". Allure.com. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  20. ^ "Love & Hip Hop Miami TV Series Cast Members - VH1". VH1. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  21. ^ "You're About to Get Two Nights of Love & Hip Hop Every Week... Here's How!". Archived from the original on July 21, 2023.
  22. ^ "The Hottest City in the Game is Back - Love & Hip Hop Miami | VH1". November 27, 2018. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018.
  23. ^ "Welcome Back to the 305 - Love & Hip Hop Miami | VH1". December 4, 2018. Archived from the original on July 21, 2023.
  24. ^ Ovalle, David (September 6, 2018). "Rapper Khaotic faces criminal charges in court and Love & Hip Hop is there to film". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023.
  25. ^ "Trina Demands Respect - Love & Hip Hop Miami | VH1". December 10, 2019. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019.
  26. ^ a b "Breaking News - Joseline Hernandez Returns to VH1's "Love & Hip Hop" Franchise and Joins the Cast of "Love & Hip Hop: Miami"". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  27. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Joseline Hernandez Is Back! | Love & Hip Hop: Miami Returns Jan 6 9/8c". YouTube.
  28. ^ "Joseline Hernandez Speaks on Love & Hip Hop's Mona Scott Young: 'She's a Talent Scout, I'm an Owner'". January 10, 2020.
  29. ^ "Tvpassport".
  30. ^ "Amara La Negra Claps Back at Producer Who Comes at Afro". Ebony.com. January 4, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  31. ^ "'Love & Hip Hop Miami' Breakout Star Amara La Negra Lands Multi-Album Record Deal". Billboard.com. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  32. ^ "Amara La Negra's New Look Is Really Turning A Lot Of Heads".
  33. ^ "YouTube". Youtube.com. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  34. ^ "Ratings - VH1's Ratings Soar with the Series Premiere of 'Love & Hip Hop: Miami'". Thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  35. ^ "Love & Hip Hop Miami canceled? Rumors debunked: Season 3 to film soon". June 3, 2019.
  36. ^ @loveandhiphop (February 3, 2019). "Grab your tissues! 😢 Emotions run high when #LHHMIA airs on its NEW NIGHT: TOMORROW at 9/8c on @VH1!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  37. ^ "Shows A-Z - love & hip hop: miami on vh1". Thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  38. ^ "TV Schedule for Love & Hip Hop Miami - VH1 TV Series Schedule". VH1. Archived from the original on December 24, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
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