Miami Takeover adds Toni Braxton tribute to Comedy Vybez Festival

The Miami Takeover is expanding its July 24 Comedy Vybez Festival lineup in Miami Beach with R&B singer Latasha Bla’q’s Toni Braxton tribute and a slate of Black comedians and live bands. The three-day festival is expected to draw summer crowds to the Miami Beach Bandshell while raising money for youth arts programming.

Why it matters: - The Miami Takeover is positioning the event as the largest Black standup comedy and R&B music festival of the summer. - The festival blends live music, comedy and visual art in one Miami Beach event, giving the lineup broader appeal than a standard comedy show. - Art sales proceeds will support the One R.O.Y.A.L. Effect Foundation, which funds youth arts education, academic tutoring and social-emotional support.

What happened: - The Miami Takeover will open its three-day urban entertainment beach festival on Friday, July 24, 2026, at the Miami Beach Bandshell. - The Art of Laughter/Comedy Vybez Festival runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. with doors opening at 4 p.m. and entertainment starting at 5 p.m. - The lineup now includes R&B singer Latasha Bla’q, who will perform a Toni Braxton tribute. - Washington, D.C.-based Top 5 Band, Quinn & The Jukebox Band and Dee Jay are also set to perform live. - The event will be hosted by Ingrid B and Spunky Robinson.

The details: - Live art activations from Miami artist Rodney Royal are scheduled to begin the program. - Musical performances are set for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. before standup comedy closes out the night. - The comedy roster includes Esau McGraw, Joe Clair, Tony Woods, Ronnie Jordan, Ashima Franklin, Eddie Bryant, Lawrence Killabrew, Antoine Scott, Maria Sanchez and Howie Bell. - Top 5 Band is described as a Washington, D.C. R&B live band that covers multiple genres. - Quinn & The Jukebox Band is an Atlanta five-member band led by Quinn, a former Blackstreet lead singer and Grammy-nominated R&B artist. - Latasha Bla’q is a DMV-based recording artist, singer and songwriter. - Ingrid B is marking 25 years as a producer, cultural curator, event host and poet. - Spunky Robinson is a Miami native who has been active on the Miami improv comedy scene for nine years. - Rodney Royal is bringing a one-night-only solo art exhibit that celebrates Black identity, culture, community and historical Black comedians. - The exhibit is made possible through a collaboration with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Art of Black. - Early bird tickets are available for a limited time on Eventbrite. - The Miami Takeover is a Washington, D.C.-based event production company focused on travel and urban entertainment experiences across the U.S. - The company says the festival is in its 18th year and returns to Miami Beach July 24–26, 2026. - The broader festival theme combines culture, music, art, nightlife and community service.

Between the lines: - The expanded lineup leans on recognizable Black comedy and R&B names to turn the event into a premium summer draw. - The tribute performance and art component suggest The Miami Takeover is trying to sell the festival as a full cultural experience, not just a concert or comedy night. - The foundation tie-in gives the event a community-service angle that may help it stand out in a crowded Miami summer calendar.

What's next: - Festival organizers are pushing early bird ticket sales ahead of the July 24 start. - Attendees are being encouraged to wear summer outfits and arrive early for the full program. - The Miami Takeover’s July 24–26 festival schedule will continue beyond the Comedy Vybez night at Miami Beach.

The bottom line: - The Miami Takeover is using a stacked comedy-and-music lineup, a Toni Braxton tribute and an arts benefit to make its Miami Beach festival a bigger summer event.