Phonte, Bilal and More Help the Roots Take Over the Brooklyn Bowl on Valentine’s Day

The Roots brought the love and sounds to match as they made their return to NYC’s Brooklyn Bowl over Valentine’s Day weekend. Operating as DJ, Okayplayer cofounder Questlove had the crowd moving and grooving with some heavy-hitting slow jams, as lovers serenaded each other to Toni Braxton’s classic “Breathe Again” and more. The large, mixed crowd showed that good music will attract any age, any race, any time. It will have them dancing, too. 

During the main event, attendees were treated to host Ursula Rucker’s silky smooth words, woven in between magnetic performances by Phonte, Grammy-nominated crooner Bilal, and R&B sweetheart JoJo, who gave a heartfelt rendition of SWV’s “Weak in the Knees.” ‘Play Another Slow Jam’ was The Roots’ first performance of 2026, and like the group itself, it was dope.