Archive · Adrianna’s
Winning Wednesdays
Where the mission was already in motion
Winning Wednesdays at Adrianna’s was built around giving independent artists access to opportunities that were often difficult to reach without traditional industry relationships.
Fokus Da Konnect was one of the founders of the platform, which helped more than 100 artists receive radio exposure through Raw TV Radio on Power 92 and opportunities connected to DJ Pharris’ mix on Power 92.
Artists also competed for thousands of dollars in cash prizes, brand sponsorships, studio sessions, video shoots, and other career-building opportunities.
The same principle now sits at the center of Headlinerz International: artists should have greater access to the knowledge, infrastructure, relationships, and opportunities required to build independently.
- Winning Wednesdays
- Artist opportunity + access
- Headlinerz International
Cash prize archive
Artists were rewarded
Four different Winning Wednesdays events. Four documented examples of artists receiving cash prizes through the platform.
Archival footage
The prize was real
Archival footage documenting Fokus Da Konnect counting and presenting a $500 cash prize to a Winning Wednesdays winner.
Event crowd archive
The audience was real
Winning Wednesdays created a recurring live environment where independent artists could perform, compete, network, and build visibility in front of active audiences.
Hosting / leadership archive
Fokus + Beuller
The partnership seen here on the Winning Wednesdays stage continues today: Fokus Da Konnect is the manager of Beuller The Gaud, the flagship artist of the Headlinerz network.
Radio + promotional archive
Radio opportunity in action
Winning Wednesdays awarded one week of radio play on DJ Pharris’ show on Power 92. This archival promotion, presented at the time by DJ Pharris and Headlinerz ENT, advertised that the winner would get a song played on Power 92 by DJ Pharris on Real Radio. Flyers from the period advertised radio interviews and spins as prizes.
As printed at the time: $500 for first place; an interview and a song on Power 92 RawTV Radio for second place. 
As printed at the time: a month of spins on BandKamp Radio plus an on-air interview for first place, with spins for second and third.
Radio and media references describe opportunities as advertised at the time. They do not describe current partnerships.
Promotional archive
The infrastructure was already forming
Sign-ups, judges, prize ladders, radio opportunities and a recurring weekly slot. The flyers from the period show a repeatable format for independent artists, not a one-off night.
Competition flyer · Aug. 29, 2012A $500 rap, R&B and comedian competition at Adrianna’s, with sign-up hours, judges and a DJ listed. 
Venue marqueeThe Adrianna’s sign advertising Winning Wednesdays as the “#1 Open Mic.” 
Weekly formatA Headlinerz Entertainment flyer listing weekly prizes such as cash and studio time, and interviews with radio play.
Personal phone numbers printed on some archival flyers have been blurred. Flyers are shown as historical event material from the time.
See every flyer in the full archiveHeadlinerz International
The mission evolved. The standard didn’t.
What began with creating access to stages, radio, prizes, resources, and industry relationships now continues through the infrastructure of Headlinerz International.
Explore the full Winning Wednesdays Archive