DJ Nyla Symone Is Building Her Own Lane Through Radio, Entrepreneurship, and the Next Generation of Hip-Hop

From learning under radio legends to becoming an influential voice on The Breakfast Club, DJ Nyla Symone has built a career fueled by persistence, relationships, and an undeniable connection to culture. As a DJ, host, content creator, and entrepreneur, she continues to expand her influence beyond the microphone, creating opportunities for emerging artists while building platforms that reflect her vision.

Through her work with Certified Vibe, Nyla has made it a priority to spotlight rising talent, create meaningful connections, and give the next generation of artists opportunities to be heard. That commitment is also at the heart of Honor Roll, a collective representing the next evolution of her work as a tastemaker and supporter of emerging talent.

Following a successful summer rollout that included BET Weekend programming, a Nike x WISH ATL partnership, and community-driven activations, Honor Roll is building toward its full project release in the first quarter of 2027. The collective features Reuben Vincent, SWAVAY, Marco Plus, Ben Reilly, Kai Ca$h, Niko Brim, Wynne, and Chris Patrick.

When asked to name her top five artists from the collective, Nyla had a different approach.

“I have to break the rules a little and keep it in the family, because I can’t pick just five. It’s the whole Honor Roll collective,” she explains. “Every one of them brings something different, and that’s what makes the collective special. You’ve got lyricism, energy, melody and real storytelling all in one group. These are artists who put in the work and are ready for the next level, and I’m proud to help shine a light on them.”

The collective has already introduced listeners to music including “R2D2,” “Need You,” and “Talking to God,” but Nyla says the full project is still on the way.

“The full Honor Roll project is actually still on the way, and it’s coming in Q1 2027!” she shares. “We’ve been building this collective through music, live shows, community and partnerships all year, and the full project is where it all comes together. Stay tuned, because we’re just getting started.”

While building platforms for others, Nyla is also intentional about creating a lifestyle and career that works on her own terms. That philosophy is reflected in her partnership with TextNow as the face of its “What’s Your Flex?” campaign, which encourages people to define success through purpose, independence, creative freedom, and meaningful impact rather than traditional status symbols.

Her involvement also extends to TextNow’s Control Center campaign, which explores the behind-the-scenes systems and habits that help creators manage demanding schedules and multiple opportunities.

For Nyla, staying organized is essential when balancing radio, DJ appearances, hosting, content creation, and entrepreneurship. She credits TextNow with helping her establish boundaries between her professional and personal life.

“TextNow has been a game changer for helping me stay organized and maintain a healthy work-life balance,” Nyla explains. “I use it as a dedicated second line for business, networking and industry relationships, which allows me to keep those conversations separate from my personal life.”

She also appreciates the flexibility of being able to schedule messages, particularly when inspiration or an important business reminder comes outside traditional working hours.

“Being able to schedule texts to go out during business hours helps me stay on top of opportunities and relationships without disrupting anyone’s day,” she says. “It’s a simple tool, but it’s made a big difference in helping me work smarter and stay balanced.”

That balance is especially important for someone whose career depends on staying connected to people, recognizing opportunities, and remaining engaged with the culture as it evolves. Her TextNow partnership reflects shared values around flexibility, independence, and the freedom to build a professional life without losing sight of personal priorities.

Whether she’s behind the mic on The Breakfast Club, creating opportunities through Certified Vibe, developing the Honor Roll collective, or expanding her brand through strategic partnerships, Nyla Symone continues to demonstrate that influence is about more than being heard. It’s also about opening doors for others.

With Honor Roll preparing for its Q1 2027 release and new opportunities continuing to unfold, Nyla is proving that her vision extends far beyond the DJ booth. She’s not simply watching the next generation of hip-hop take shape — she’s helping create the platform that allows it to shine.