You don't need a significant other, heart-shaped chocolates, and roses to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside this Hallmark holiday dedicated for lovers Valentine's Day ... All you need is music and Mr./Mrs. Right Now.
Just check out the five best concerts going down this week, from Wale's smooth lyrical flow to the 9 Mile reggae fest. Take it as our way of saying we love you.
See also: New Times' Concert Calendar
Slum Village. A tribute to J Dilla with DJ Ynot and others. Hosted by Ma Dukes. Thursday, February 13, 10 p.m., Bardot, 3456 North Miami Ave., Miami; 305-576-7750; bardotmiami.com. Tickets cost $25-$60 plus fees via showclix.com. Ages 21 and up. Throughout his 32 years of life, J Dilla revolutionized hip-hop. Although it's been eight years since his death, his music and vision live on, not only in the industry, but with the J Dilla Foundation, an organization dedicated to funding inner-city music programs and helping aspiring artists. So celebrate J Dilla's life with Ma Dukes and help make an impact in someone else's life.
See also: Ma Dukes on J Dilla Day: "It's Global and It's Mind-Blowing"
LoveFest Miami. With Wale, K. Michelle, Meek Mill, and Marcus Cooper. Friday, February 14, 7:30 p.m., BankUnited Center, 1245 Dauer Dr., Coral Gables; 305-284-8686; bankunitedcenter.com. Tickets cost $41-$81 plus fees via ticketmaster.com. There's no better time than Valentine's Day to show your girl you "can be [her] boyfriend or a friend with perks" and "teach [her] all the sounds of love" with Wale, K. Michelle, Meek Mill, and Marcus Cooper at the LoveFest.
RL Grime. With Salva, Mike Deuce, and Rowland Evans. Friday, February 14, 10 p.m., Grand Central, 697 North Miami Ave., Miami; 305-377-2277; grandcentralmiami.com. Tickets are sold out. Getting close to your lover while dropping that ass to the floor to the smooth bass lines of RL Grime and his wild trap ways ... That's love right there.
9 Mile Music Festival. With Stephen Marley, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, Julian Marley, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Sean Paul, Mavado, Chronixx, Shaggy, Tito el Bambino, Ken Y, Tessanne Chin, and others. Friday, February 15, 12:30-11 p.m., Fair Expo Center, 10901 SW 24th St., Miami; 305-223-7060; fairexpo.com. Tickets cost $52.83-$173.74 plus fees via 9milemusicfestival.com. Inspired by Bob Marley's vision, the 9 Mile Music Fest "began as a labor of love." Sure, the Marley's, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Shaggy, Tessanne Chin, and other reggae/Caribbean artists will be putting on a show, but the fest is more than just music, it's about giving back to the 305. That's why four canned goods are required as part of the admission. In the words of Marley himself, "One love, one heart."
See also: Stephen Marley on Legal Weed in Florida: "The Only Time Ya Ever Gonna See Me Vote"
Suénalo's Keep it Groovin' Album Release Party. With Problem Kids. Saturday, February 15, 9 p.m., The Stage, 170 NE 38th St., Miami; 305-576-9577; thestagemiami.com. Tickets cost $18-$47 plus fees via ticketleap.com. Keep it Groovin' with Suénalo's "Afro-Latin-Babymakin'-Descarga-Funk" and Miami's own hip-hop crew, Problem Kids as they celebrate the release of the Latin band's second studio album. ¡Dale!
See also: Problem Kids: "Our Duty as Cuban Americans to Tell the World How Cuba Really Is"
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