With the upcoming rain hitting the East Coast this weekend whatever hopes you had of playing ball or spending time outdoors is crushed. There's only so much you can do indoors before you're driven insane. Watching back-to-back-to-back games of March Madness will literally drive you mad. Instead of the channel surfing or the physical activity, with the music side of SXSW coming up next weekend you might as well get warmed up now. With good reason to—there's plenty of shows to hit. Catch the last Tri-state date of Jay-Z's Blueprint III tour, B.o.B and Rick Ross and some Southern hip-hop all stars in Miami, and you'd be crazy not to check one half of Gnarls Barkley, Dangermouse, rocking with his new group Broken Bells in LA. Check the Complex co-signed shows going down this weekend...
THE VERY BEST AND THEOPHILUS LONDON in NEW YORK
WHEN? Friday, 3/12
WHERE? American Museum of Natural History
WHY? This was destined to happen considering our fashion-forward friend Theophilus remixed their Warm Heart of Africa record, and he has a knack for linking up with artists after he remixes their songs. Besides the exhibits, the museum will be filled with a mix of electronic, afro-pop, and new wave courtesy of Esau Mwamwaya and Radio Clit and the genre crossing rap stylings of Mr. London.
CURREN$Y in CHICAGO
WHEN? Friday, 3/12
WHERE? Reggie's Rock Club
WHY? Chi-Town has become a hotbed for new school hip-hop shows as of late with Big Sean and Wiz Khalifa getting warm welcomes in the Windy City. Curren$y performs alongside other new school notables like local Chicagoan Mikkey Halsted, Ohio's Fly.Union and more. One thing is for sure, before Spitta takes the stage, he'll be blowing trees harder than the winds outside.
JAY-Z AND YOUNG JEEZY in NEW JERSEY
WHEN? Saturday, 3/13
WHERE? Borgota Spa & Casino
WHY? The supply of tickets for this show are lower than the sales projections for Memphis Bleek's upcoming The Process album (yeah, we didn't know either). This is your last chance to check Jay-Z's Blueprint III tour in the Tri-state area, having rocked the Nassau Coliseum, Izod Center and MSG already. We recommend you check him in Atlantic City before he's on to the next one.
BROKEN BELLS in LOS ANGELES
WHEN? Sunday, 3/14
WHERE? The Troubadour
WHY? Fresh off their self-titled debut dropping this week, Broken Bells (made up of Danger Mouse and James Mercer of The Shins) are the indie rock tandem to check for right now. Coming off the heels of a successful NY date that was co-signed by critics, you definitely want to see these bells rock. Tickets are close to sold out for this LA date, so make sure you ring the phone of your connects to get a hold of these.
B.O.B AND RICK ROSS in MIAMI
WHEN? Sunday, 3/14
WHERE? Calle Ocho
WHY? B.o.B will be part of a medley of performers at the street festival, but he'll be the one most worth checking for. Fresh off the release of his "Nothin' On You" video and single, the newcomer is known to perform eclectic sets that make the ATLiens back in his hometown proud. There will also be appearances from veterans Rick Ross, Trina, Three Six Mafia and more. Only thing not to be looking forward to is seeing a shirtless Officer Ricky in person.
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