Valentine’s Day may not be an actual holiday but the attention diverted towards the national day of love can never be ignored. According to a new Time report, Americans are expected to shell out $19.7 billion on all things related to February 14 this year.

It goes without saying that’s a lot of roses, chocolate hearts and stuffed animals that will ultimately be forgotten come March. But hey, capitalism rules everything around the environment (still C.R.E.A.M.) and consumers will feed the beast at all cost.

Naturally, a person’s attitude towards V-Day is contingent on the status of a romantic relationship. If you happen to follow Cupid on Snapchat and still get butterflies with his every update, this is the post for you.

Nikes, Stilettos & Condoms

Gangsters needing love is a popular cliché but it still is what it is. Thanks to Hip Hop music’s current climate, it allegedly isn’t hard to find a Barksdale, Escobar or Flenory on every corner. A song like Jeezy, Slick Pulla and Llloyd’s “Tear It Up” or Biggie’s “Fuckin’ You Tonight” will perfectly compliment a tranquil trap house near you.

Dedicated To The Honest Cheater

Ladies have been loving your GRAMMYs host Cool James before he could even grow facial hair so it comes as no surprise that he’s learned a few tricks on how to get over on his woman. The same can be said for Ghostface Killah of pseudo-VH1 Couples Therapy fame. Both of these records should give any player the extra confidence to pull a double-header as they visit both of the lovers on V-Day.

Against All Odds

Love takes work. Love breaks your pockets. Love can stressful. Love can be a blessing. One of these is not like the other but they all fit underneath the same roof of a perfectly normal dysfunctional relationship. The Queen of Hip Hop Soul was well aware of this fact when she played the Tammi Terrell to Method Man’s take on a Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. classic. Through his music, Tupac Shakur never gave anyone to believe he could be tied down to just one woman but even he was willing to put forth the effort for the right kind of love. Label these type of songs free inspiration.

Infatuation Stages

If February 14 just happens to dawn on a budding relationship that’s…let’s say…five months old, then a splurge may be in order. Ladies, if you find yourself bopping to Eve’s “Gotta Man” or The Pinkprint’s “Super Bass,” you may just be in like and the Love Holiday should prove to be especially memorable.

Goofy But Determined

Every human walking doesn’t possess a suave gene in their body. That trait is often recessive. However, a hero’s courage doesn’t have to be hereditary. Since the birth of Hip Hop, self-proclaimed nerds, social outcasts and loners have been getting in where they fit and in and usually that means landing a peck of the lips–or better. Take it from Tyler, Fatlip and them.

When You’re Not Really In Love But Y’know…

The power of Valentine’s Day is truly highlighted in its ability in not only getting people to spend money but for its ability to make people think they have to. Some folks can get hypnotized into thinking they are obligated to treat their casual dating situation into a real live passionate affair while others, simply use the faux holiday to their advantage for a pre-planned smash session. Can your DMs catch a body?

A Fly Love

When the bond is truly genuine, no specific man-made day of observance can put a measure on the love. Never forget that.