WALE Kicks Off Weekly Celeb Showcase at ICONS

Wale jumped on stage at Icons Lounge to thunderous roars, much louder than the usual Tuesday night crowd. His performance was part of a new weekly showcase expected to draw celebrities and pack the downtown Fairfax bar.

“I just got off the plane, I’m glad to be home,” Wale said as he addressed the crowd after midnight.  “I just signed a new record deal, I’m feeling good man.”

He went on to perform three of his hit songs, the crowd sang every word of every song, and when his smash club single “No Hands” came on the building shook with excitement.

“We will be headlining a DMV Artist to perform at Icons each and every Wednesday,” said Faraz Behvandi of BetaRaz. “You never know if we have a celebrity perform as well, like we had Wale.” 

BeTaRaz is a full service entertainment company that was founded in 2007 by promoter Behvandi and DC area emcee K-Beta.

DMV Battle of Showcases will feature four artists to vote for online. After 11 weeks, the votes will be tallied for a winner. Another artist will also be selected for a $500 best performance prize.

This week’s artists included Gearard “Capital G” Chaoul, Behvandi, Syntax and SNRG, among other acts, performing for the chance to win.

Over 800 people attended the event Tuesday night, according to Behvandi. Admission was $10 for those on the guest list.

“Look at how many people are out here, this is probably the biggest show ever in Fairfax,” Capital G said outside the lounge as the crowd emptied onto Main Street.  “I’ve never seen this many people at Icons.”

Capital G is a resident of Centreville and has done several shows at the Fairfax City venue before.

The Battle of Showcases will continue until April 27 when a final winner will be chosen.

Notes...

Behvandi is also looking at having Brooklyn MC Fabolous perform at a Battle Showcase in the near future.

Harold “Henny” GED was also in the building, Henny (his stage name) has built quite a following after performing as part of tour stops and shows with the likes of Wiz Khalifea who had one of the biggest songs in 2010 with “Black and Yellow.”  He’s also done shows with Big Sean and J Cole.