Yung Miami Is Ready for Her Solo Debut Thanks to ‘Spend Dat’: ‘People Are About to Eat Their Words’

As the summer of 2023 began, Yung Miami assumed her long-awaited debut album was near completion. However, the unexpected hit “Spend Dat” changed her plans. Originating from Opa-locka, Florida, the rapper, formerly known as Caresha Brownlee, quickly saw the song crossover from the New York Knicks' locker room, where it played during a post-NBA Finals celebration shared on social media, to the Billboard charts. It topped Rap Airplay for five consecutive weeks during July and August.

Now, Yung Miami, 32, is focused on launching her solo album, which she has been working on for nine years following her time with City Girls. Collaborating with a team of writers and producers, including J. White, Cheeze Beatz, and Go Grizzly, she has crafted the album in recording sessions held in both Atlanta and Miami. Yung Miami expresses her satisfaction with the current state of her career, stating, "I’m finally in a safe spot, and the energy is great. I’m ready."

During her solo career, Yung Miami dedicated time supporting City Girls, especially during JT's incarceration from 2018 to early 2020. After their split in 2024, she launched her solo career the following year with the song "Rap Freaks," which reached No. 81 on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequent singles, "Tea Time" and "News Flash," released in February, didn't achieve the same level of success as “Spend Dat," but they set the stage for her solo career.

She credits "Spend Dat" for introducing her to a wider audience, despite receiving mixed reactions from some listeners who doubted her rapping abilities. Yung Miami emphasizes her dedication to her fans, family, and her music, stating, "I’m the first successful person that came out of our family; I do this for my kids and my mom and my brothers and sisters."

The infectious and empowering anthem "Spend Dat" not only became her lead single but also earned her endorsements from New York rap legends Fat Joe and Jadakiss. The song's catchy hook and its exploration of Miami's fast life culture, along with its viral moments, have contributed to its success. Currently, "Spend Dat" sits at No. 17 on the Hot 100 and has amassed over 83.8 million official on-demand U.S. streams through July 30.

Inspired by "Spend Dat"'s reception, Yung Miami decided to focus on Miami's culture and music influences for her debut album. She aims to create a project that reflects her growth and experience, saying, "I wanted to go back to my roots and what inspires me about being from Miami; the culture and the music and the environment shaped me to be who I am today."

The album includes tracks such as "Freak Like Me," "Take Me to Chanel," and "Put Me Together," which she is most looking forward to sharing. Yung Miami remains humble but acknowledges that she needs to feel confident to create her best work, stating, "People are about to eat their words."