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Kent Jones

Miami

Jones grew up in Tallahassee but spent his formative years in Miami, which is still home base. There he met Cool and Dre, the Cash Money-affiliated songwriting/production team, who signed him to Epidemic Records and introduced him to DJ Khaled. "He's a super ball of energy," Jones says of Khaled. "You gotta learn to keep up with him." Jones released his debut, Tours, last year as a joint venture among Epidemic, Khaled's We the Best Music Group, and Epic Records. He's now working on new music and hopes to add something to the contributions of Florida artists before him.

Kent Jones

Venue

The massive club LIV in Miami knows how to throw a party, though Jones names Sun Life Stadium, now called the Hard Rock Stadium and home to the Dolphins, as his favorite. "I love arenas," he says. Jones joined Khaled on the Beyonce Formation Tour stop in Miami, and the experience at Marlins Park really opened his eyes to the rush of playing in front of a huge crowd. "That's when I learned I love arenas, when you have 60,000-plus singing the songs word for word," he says. "The fans are there for the music."

Kent Jones

Destination

Jones's top spot to grab a drink is Sidebar, a cocktail bar that hosts local bands and has an outdoor garden. "It's an open atmosphere," he says. "It's got a very positive atmosphere, and they play different kinds of music than you'd hear at some of the urban spots."

Kent Jones

Dining Out

Another reason why Jones loves going to Sidebar is that he can go around the corner afterward to "a bomb food place that has the best cornbread." That place is called People's Bar-B-Que, and to go with your cornbread, Jones suggests getting a big plate of brisket. "Also shout out to Jamaica House," he says, "because ya'll be open 24 hours."