Elevated
Tracks
305
A Love Song to Miami
Miami has never formally adopted an official anthem.
We think it’s time.
Miami is one of the most musically influential cities in the world. From Latin pop and hip-hop to jazz, electronic, and R&B, its sound has traveled globally.
Yet unlike cities such as New York or San Francisco, Miami has never formally adopted a defining song that represents its identity.
Elevated Tracks 305 is a citywide invitation to change that.
This is not just a contest.
It is a civic cultural moment.
What Is Elevated Tracks 305?
Elevated Tracks 305 is a global open call inviting anyone with a meaningful connection to Miami to write an original, contemporary song that captures the city’s rhythm, resilience, complexity, and cultural influence.
We are looking for a song that feels like Miami – today and for the next generation.
Led by Elevate Miami and Guitars Over Guns in collaboration with the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, this initiative brings together civic leadership, youth development, and world-class music education.
Guided By Grammy-Winners And Miami’s Music Leaders
Elevated Tracks 305 is supported by iconic global artists and respected industry leaders with deep Miami roots. Together, they bring Grammy-level artistry, mentorship, and institutional leadership to this citywide search for Miami’s next contemporary anthem.
Honorary Co-Chairs
- Danny Flores – Latin Grammy and Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter
- Rico Love – Grammy-Award winning songwriter and producer
- Rudy Pérez – Latin Grammy and Grammy-winning producer and songwriter
- Jon Secada – Latin Grammy and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter
Distinguished Jury
- Julio Bagué, Executive Vice President Latin Division, Peermusic
- Chad Bernstein – Founder & CEO, Guitars Over Guns
- The Frost School of Music at the University of Miami
- Rey Sanchez – Associate Dean
- Dan Strange – Department Chair
- Ian Hölljes – Adjunct Professor of Voice
- Craig Carothers – Lecturer and Songwriting Artist-in-Residence
- Roxana Amed – Lecturer of Contemporary Voice
conditions
Who Can Enter?
Anyone with a meaningful connection to Miami. You do not need to currently live in Miami-Dade County.
Two categories:
- Youth – Under 18
- Adult – 18 and over
Youth entrants must be under 18 at the time of submission.
Only one submission per entrant.
What We’re Looking For
All genres are welcome, including Latin, pop, hip-hop, R&B, jazz, fusion, electronic, indie, classical, spoken word with music, and beyond.
Your song must:
- Be original
- Include original lyrics
- Be no longer than 3.5 minutes in length
- Be recorded at a quality you would be proud to have played publicly
- Be performable live if selected as a finalist
Judges will evaluate submissions based on:
- Emotional and lyrical connection to Miami
- Musicality and originality
- Artistic excellence and performance quality
- Potential for broad resonance and longevity
- Radio-friendliness
- Ask yourself: Does this feel distinctly Miami? Would someone who loves this city hear themselves in this song?
How Winners Are Chosen
Elevated Tracks 305 uses a three-stage process:
- Blind Screening: Student screeners from the Frost School of Music and Guitars Over Guns review submissions anonymously.
- Distinguished Jury: An expert panel of artists, faculty, and industry leaders selects finalists.
- Public Vote: Finalists advance to a public voting phase hosted on Submittable.
- Final results are determined using a blended model:
50 percent Expert Jury
50 percent Public Vote
This ensures both artistic excellence and community voice shape the outcome.
What to Submit
All entries must be submitted via Submittable.
You will need:
- A streaming link to your song (SoundCloud, Disco, or similar – no file uploads or Dropbox links)
- A 100-word artist bio describing you and your connection to Miami
- Full names of all collaborators
- Disclosure of any AI tools used in the creation process
- Submissions sent by email or social media will not be considered.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
AI tools may be used as part of your creative process if meaningful human authorship is present. Entirely AI-generated works without substantive human authorship are not eligible. Entrants must disclose whether and how AI tools were used.
All finalists must be able to perform their work live.
Rights and Ownership (Summary)
Artists retain full ownership of their work.
By submitting, entrants grant Elevate Cities and designated Program Partners a non-exclusive license for mission-aligned promotional and civic uses related to Elevated Tracks 305, as detailed in the official submission terms.
Full Official Rules and Terms of Participation are available at:
elevatecities.submittable.comKey Dates
Submissions Open
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET
Submissions Close
Monday, March 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
Judging Period
March 31 – April 27, 2026
Public Vote
April 28 – May 5, 2026
Winners Announced
Early May 2026
Prizes
In both Youth and Adult categories:
1st Prize – $10,000
2nd Prize – $2,500
3rd Prize – $1,000
Winners and finalists will receive:
- Citywide and national amplification
- Media coverage
- Live performance opportunities
- Digital promotion across partner platforms
Prizes may be subject to applicable taxes.
Youth winners require guardian consent.