Wale headlines GMU fall concert

Wale will perform at the Patriot Center in September (Photo courtesy of GMU Program Board).

Tickets for D.C.-based rapper Wale went on sale Monday at the Patriot Center and the Office of Student Involvement. He will be performing at the Patriot Center on September 20^th. Wale first came to the George Mason in 2008 where he performed a free concert for students in Dewberry Hall as part of Homecoming Week. He has since performed at arena venues such as the Verizon Center in D.C. and Merriweather Post Pavilion in Maryland. 

Wale was born in Washington D.C. and later moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland. Incorporating D.C. landmarks and social issues into his lyrics, Wale has been a part of bringing rise to the District’s hip-hop scene. Lyrics to Wale’s song “DC or Nothing” include commentary on the state of the economy and Barack Obama’s election to president, rapping the lyrics  “I’m aware that there’s problems, know Obama gon’ stop it/ Where there’s minimal conscious and there’s thousands of choppers/ I know Howard that college, but that town has some problems.”

Wale has won two BET artist awards and has worked with artists such as Lady Gaga who was featured on his song “D.C. Chillin’.” Wale’s music video for “D.C. Chillin’” features the artist walking along Washington D.C.’s Georgia Avenue stopping at D.C.’s historic landmark Ben’s Chili Bowl.

Despite Wale’s rise to fame, he continues to make appearances in the D.C. area; however, Wale’s appearance at the Patriot Center will be the artist’s only show in the Maryland, D.C, and Northern Virginia area this year.

Students can purchase floor tickets for twenty dollars and other arena seating tickets are being sold for ten dollars. Each student, with their Mason ID is allowed to purchase up two tickets.