Gerald Walker
Walker performing in 2019
Walker performing in 2019
Background information
Birth nameGerald Joshua Walker
Born (1987-07-14) July 14, 1987
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
OriginMilwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
GenresHip hop, R&B
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2007–present
LabelsINgrooves, Sentric, Blue Collar Gang
Websitewalkwithgerald.com

Gerald Joshua Walker (born July 14, 1987), is an American rapper and singer from Chicago, Illinois.[1] He signed to fellow Midwestern rapper Stalley's label, Blue Collar Gang in 2018. Walker is known for his soul influenced style of hip-hop, and his association with rappers Layzie Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Yelawolf, Skyzoo and Rockie Fresh, as well as record producer Cardo.[2]

Musical career

1987–2010: Early life and career beginnings

Walker was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Bellwood and Matteson.[3] His father, a college professor and Air Force veteran was African-American, while his mother, an executive Assistant at the Proviso Leyden Council, in Maywood, Illinois, is of African-American descent.[4] When he was five years old, Walker's parents separated; this event would have a significant effect on Walker's personality and consequently his music.[5] Walker attended Riverside University High School, and took classes at Columbia College Chicago during the summer.[6]

It was the summer after his high school graduation that Walker first began rapping, inspired by hip-hop groups such as Little Brother and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony". He moved to Chicago to pursue a career in television while networking with other emerging artist within the city's music scene. In September 2009 Walker released his debut mixtape, "Evening Out With Your Girlfriend".[7][8][9]

In 2010 Gerald Walker released his second official mixtape, I Remember When This All Meant Something....[3][10] The mixtape consist of fifteen original tracks including three hidden bonus songs featuring production from, Symbolyc One, producer of Kanye West's 2010 single Power.[3]

Gerald Walker released his first Christmas-themed album, A Gerald Walker Christmas, which included three original and two traditional songs re-arranged with up-tempo beats in hip-hop-style.[11][12]

2011–2012: Believers Never Die...

In January 2011, Gerald Walker purchased a leased hip-hop instrumental from Dallas TX, based and Taylor Gang producer, Cardo. Walker then wrote, recorded and released the song entitled, "Here's Everything I've Always Meant to Say" as free download online.[13] After pressure from Walker's friends he reluctantly emailed the finished song to Cardo, who, to his surprise, was impressed and the two began demoing songs for amusement. In April 2011, Walker announced that he would be touring with Shady/Interscope Recording artist Yelawolf.[14] In May 2011, while on tour Walker released his third official mixtape, On Your Side, a collaboration effort with producer, Cardo.[15][16]

In June, Gerald Walker was featured on MTV's RapFix Live broadcast, where he appeared with other mainstream and popular artist including Lloyd Banks, Maino and Jim Jones.[17] In September, Walker released his fourth mixtape The Other Half of Letting Go, in collaboration with popular street-wear brand Diamond Supply.[18] The mixtape quickly catapulted Walker as an emerging artist in the hip-hop community. Amber McKynzie of XXL Magazine wrote: "The mixtape might be titled The Other Half of Letting Go, but Gerald Walker is shaping up to be an artist that hip-hop shouldn't let go unnoticed."[19] The mixtape was the only hip-hop release featured in the Shepherd Express "2011 Essential Albums of the Year" list.[20]

In November, The Source debuted the track list and cover art to Gerald Walker's second Christmas album It's Christmastime Again, Gerald Walker. Originally slated as a re-release to his debut Christmas album he re-recorded and released seven original songs. That marked Gerald Walker's third release in 2011 – all within' a six-month time period.[21]

2013–2017: Target

In May 2013, after multiple hints and hashtags with the word Target via his Twitter Walker tweeted: "Everything's Done. New Chapter Begins. My debut album "Target" coming this Fall! Confirming his independent label debut's title.[22] On February 3, 2014, Gerald Walker announced The Target Practice Tour, a 16 date North American tour beginning on February 8, 2014, through the end of April 2014.[23] The tour was accompanied by a mixtape release entitled, "Yesterday You Said Tomorrow (A Prelude to TARGET)". The release featured a collection of demo's that didn't make the final TARGET release.

In June 2015, Walker announced his book Target: 52 Weeks to Completing My Album, a memoir about his life featuring stories and anecdotes simultaneously released with the album.[24] On June 5, 2015, Walker released the first single from Target titled "No Heart Feelings" featuring The Family.[25] On August 25, 2015, the second single from Target titled "Follow Through" was released. Target was also supported by two tours. The first being the TARGET Listening Sessions, a 10 date, 8 city album listening and concert tour. In May 2016 Walker embarked a 15 date international tour supporting the album titled the TARGET World Tour.[26]

2018–present: Blue Collar Gang

In July 2018, Walker in an interview with Billboard announced a music partnership with rapper Stalley's Blue Collar Gang imprint.[2] On December 7, 2018, Walker released his third studio EP titled People Tell Themselves Anything to Justify Everything.[27] In February 2019, ESPN's First Take featured Walker's "Time" single from People Tell Themselves Anything to Justify Everything as the show's theme song. On March 8, 2019, Walker released his fourth studio EP titled The Little Foxes, That Spoil The Vines.[28]

On August 1, 2019, Walker debuted his single and music video " Win Streak" from his forthcoming EP "And Only a Few Ever Find It". In November 2019, Walker also embarked on Stalley's 'The Head Trip Tour', opening along with fellow label mates, LifeDutchee.[29]

Business ventures

According to VIBE magazine in December 2019 Walker launched a new business venture, Ayọ Fragrance + Design Studios. The company focuses on unisex fragrances and scented candles.[30]

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with selected details
Title Album details
TARGET

Books

  • 2016: TARGET Practice: 52 Weeks to Completing My Album

Albums and mixtapes

Magazines and features

  • URB (March 2008)
  • Stuck Magazine (2007)
  • Feed Me Cool Shit Magazine (2006)
  • Annex Magazine (2013)
  • Newsome WolfTracks newspaper (2013)

References

  1. ↑ "TARGET Practice: 52 Weeks to Completing my Album". Barnes & Noble.
  2. 1 2 Lamarre, Carl (July 16, 2018). "Gerald Walker Enlists Layzie Bone & Stix for His New Record 'Trenches': Premiere". Billboard.com. Billboard Magazine. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 Gerald Walker I Remember When This All Meant Something (Mixtape). Okayplayer. Retrieved on August 27, 2010
  4. ↑ Enloe, Spencer (August 16, 2011). "Gerald Walker Interview!". BlogorDiePGH. BOD. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  5. ↑ Board, Will (September 17, 2008), "Gerald Walker: The Season Relief Begins", www.feedmecoolshit.com
  6. ↑ Craddick, Mariah (January 14, 2011). "Chicago Rapper Gerald Walker Introduces "Life Music"". Gloss Magazine Online.
  7. ↑ September 9, 2009. "Gerald Walker – Evening Out With Your Girlfriend [illRoots Deluxe Edition]". ILLROOTS. Retrieved January 17, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ↑ "Gerald Walker – "Half of Life Is Fucking Up…The Other Half Is Dealing With It"/ "Get Your Money" with Will.I.Am"". October 12, 2009. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
  9. ↑ Mixtape Round-Up: Sept. 3 to 9. The Daily Tar Heel Newspaper. Retrieved on September 9, 2009
  10. ↑ Tibbs, Sgt. (July 16, 2007). "Gerald Walker 'I Remember When This All Meant Something'". Chicago Now. Retrieved July 19, 2010.
  11. ↑ "A Gerald Walker Christmas (FREep) & Interview . Ynotmydream.net. Retrieved on 2010-10-26". Archived from the original on December 22, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
  12. ↑ "A Gerald Walker Christmas EP – Ruby Hornet". Ruby Hornet. December 20, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  13. ↑ Duds, Mark. (January 13, 2010). "Gerald Walker – "Here's Everything I've Always Meant To Say"". Mostly Junk Food. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  14. ↑ Biral, David. (April 6, 2011). "Gerald Walker to Tour with Yelawolf". Two Kids From Vermont. Archived from the original on November 6, 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  15. ↑ Llamoca, Janice. (May 7, 2011). "Cardo & Gerald Walker – On Your Side". LA Leakers. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Mixtape: Cardo & Gerald Walker – On Your Side EP". losangelesleakers.com. May 7, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  17. ↑ Chandel, Natasha. (September 15, 2011). "Gerald Walker freestyles on the "RapFix Live" anniversary show". MTV News. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  18. ↑ Ashley, Erin. (September 16, 2011). "Gerald Walker – The Other Half of Letting Go". Rawe Magazine News. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  19. ↑ McKynzie, Amber. (September 20, 2011). "Gerald Walker, The Other Half of Letting Go". XXL Magazine. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  20. ↑ Rytlewski, Evan. (December 14, 2011). "Gerald Walker, The Other Half of Letting Go". Shepherd Express. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  21. ↑ Lynch, Sean. (November 14, 2011). "Gerald Walker & The Family – It's Christmastime Again, Gerald Wallker (Tracklist)". The Source Magazine. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  22. ↑ Albin, Matt. (May 20, 2013). "Gerald Walker – The Inspiration (Feat. Cardo)". Fashionably Early. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  23. ↑ Gerald Walker Announces 16 Date "The Target Practice" Tour Starting 2/8. JenesisMagazine.com. Retrieved on 2015-06-10
  24. ↑ Agnew, Thomas. "Gerald Walker Talks How He Turned His 52 Week Album Creation Into "Target Practice" Book". Jenesis Magazine. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  25. ↑ Shake (June 10, 2015). "Gerald Walker – "No Heart Feelings"". 2DOPEBOYZ. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  26. ↑ Unknown, JES7. "Gerald Walker Announces 'Target' World Tour; Releases Visual For "Danziger"". 2dopeboyz. Retrieved July 29, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  27. ↑ Saponara, Michael (December 7, 2018). "Gerald Walker Releases 'People Tell Themselves Anything to Justify Everything' EP: Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  28. ↑ Hallas, Allen (March 8, 2019). "AUDIO: GERALD WALKER – "THE LITTLE FOXES, THAT SPOIL THE VINES"". Breakingandentering.net. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  29. ↑ House, Victory (October 31, 2019). "Stalley Freestyles + Talks Being Independent, Spiritual Evolution & New Project". Sway's Universe. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  30. ↑ Ketchum III, William E. (December 10, 2019). "Premiere: Gerald Walker Releases 'Can't Drive A Parked Car'". VIBE. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Gerald Walker takes aim with his debut album 'Target'". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Gerald Walker – Yesterday You Said Tomorrow Hosted by DJ Rockstar". DatPiff. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
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