Gerald Walker

For the American baseball player, see Gee Walker.
Gerald Walker
Birth name Gerald Walker
Born (1987-07-14) July 14, 1987
Chicago, IL, United States
Origin Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Based in New York, NY)
Genres Hip-Hop, R&B
Occupation(s) Rapper, author, choir director, Record producer, vocalist
Years active 2007 - Present
Labels One Step at a Time Music
Associated acts Cardo, Yelawolf, Taylor Gang, Rockie Fresh
Website http://www.walkwithgerald.com/

Gerald Joshua Walker (born July 14, 1987) better known by his stage name Gerald Walker is an American hip-hop musician, music director, entrepreneur and author.[1] He is the founder and CEO of independent music agency One Step at a Time Music. In 2015, Walker announced a music and literary partnership deal with INgrooves.[2] He is also a correspondent and social commentator for The Root.[3]

In 2010, Walker released On Your Side a mixtape with longtime friend and producer Cardo. On Your Side gained online recognition which led to releases such as The Other Half of Letting Go and Believers Never Die. He has toured and worked with various notable rappers including Rockie Fresh, Yelawolf and Bun B. Releasing over a dozen mixtapes on September 22, 2015, Walker released his debut double-album Target. Target featured and introduced his new eight member vocal ensemble, The Family.

Biography

1987–2010: Early life & career beginnings

Gerald Walker was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Bellwood and Matteson.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6] Walker attended Riverside University High School, and took classes at Columbia College Chicago during the summer. Upon graduation Walker studied Television at Columbia College for television sitcom and the Harvard University Extension School for creative writing[7]

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 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, in collaboration with popular rap-based websites, 2dopeboyz.com & illRoots.[8][9][10][11]

Gerald Walker performing at Warehouse Live in Houston, in 2011.

In 2010 Gerald Walker released his second official mixtape, I Remember When This All Meant Something..., as a free download on his Virb page.[4][12] 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.[4]

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.[13][14]

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.[15] 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.[16] In May 2011, while on tour Walker released his third official mixtape, On Your Side, a collaboration effort with producer, Cardo.[17][18]

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.[19] In September, Walker released his fourth mixtape The Other Half of Letting Go, in collaboration with popular street-wear brand Diamond Supply.[20] 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."[21] The mixtape was the only hip-hop release featured in the Shepherd Express "2011 Essential Albums of the Year" list.[22]

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.[23]

2013-Present: 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.[24] 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.[25] 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.[26] On June 05, 2015, Walker released the first single from Target titled "No Heart Feelings" featuring The Family.[27] On August 25th, 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. On May 2016 Walker embarked a 15 date international tour supporting the album titled the TARGET World Tour.[28]

Discography

Books

Albums & Mixtapes

Magazines & Features

References

  1. ↑ "TARGET Practice: 52 Weeks to Completing my Album". Barnes & Noble.
  2. ↑ [losangelesleakers.com/WP_CACHE/gerald-walker// Gerald Walker ft. Cardo "The Inspiration" (Audio)]. LA Leakers. Retrieved on 2016-07-27
  3. ↑ "Can Rap & Religion Go Hand in Hand?". The Root.
  4. 1 2 3 Gerald Walker I Remember When This All Meant Something (Mixtape). Okayplayer. Retrieved on 2010-08-27
  5. ↑ Enloe, Spencer (2011-08-16). "Gerald Walker Interview!". BlogorDiePGH. BOD. Retrieved 2011-12-13.
  6. ↑ Board, Will (17 September 2008), "Gerald Walker: The Season Relief Begins", www.feedmecoolshit.com
  7. ↑ Craddick, Mariah (January 14, 2011). "Chicago Rapper Gerald Walker Introduces "Life Music"". Gloss Magazine Online.
  8. ↑ Gerald Walker- Gerald Walker's Evening Out With Your Girlfriend"
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ OSAT MUSIC RECORDINGS INKS EXCLUSIVE RECORDING DEAL WITH RAPPER GERALD WALKER Debut EP Due Out on OSAT Records in the SPRING of 2008"
  11. ↑ Mixtape Round-Up: Sept. 3 to 9. The Daily Tar Heel Newspaper. Retrieved on 2009-09-09
  12. ↑ Tibbs, Sgt. (July 16, 2007). "Gerald Walker 'I Remember When This All Meant Something'". Chicago Now. Retrieved July 19, 2010.
  13. ↑ . Rubyhornet. Retrieved on 2010-10-27
  14. ↑ A Gerald Walker Christmas (FREep) & Interview . Ynotmydream.net. Retrieved on 2010-10-26
  15. ↑ Duds, Mark. (January 13, 2010). "Gerald Walker - "Here's Everything I've Always Meant To Say"". Mostly Junk Food. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  16. ↑ Biral, David. (April 6, 2011). "Gerald Walker to Tour with Yelawolf". Two Kids From Vermont. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  17. ↑ Llamoca, Janice. (May 7, 2011). "Cardo & Gerald Walker - On Your Side". LA Leakers. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  18. ↑ http://losangelesleakers.com/2011/05/mixtape-cardo-gerald-walker-on-your-side-ep/. LA Leakers. Retrieved on 2011-05-09
  19. ↑ Chandel, Natasha. (September 15, 2011). "Gerald Walker freestyles on the "RapFix Live" anniversary show". MTV News. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  20. ↑ Ashley, Erin. (September 16, 2011). "Gerald Walker - The Other Half of Letting Go". Rawe Magazine News. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  21. ↑ McKynzie, Amber. (September 20, 2011). "Gerald Walker, The Other Half of Letting Go". XXL Magazine. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  22. ↑ Rytlewski, Evan. (December 14, 2011). "Gerald Walker, The Other Half of Letting Go". Shepherd Express. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  23. ↑ Lynch, Sean. (November 14, 2011). "Gerald Walker & The Family - It's Christmastime Again, Gerald Wallker (Tracklist)". The Source Magazine. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  24. ↑ Albin, Matt. (May 20, 2013). "Gerald Walker - The Inspiration (Feat. Cardo)". Fashionably Early. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  25. ↑ Gerald Walker Announces 16 Date “The Target Practice” Tour Starting 2/8. JenesisMagazine.com. Retrieved on 2015-06-10
  26. ↑ Agnew, Thomas. "Gerald Walker Talks How He Turned His 52 Week Album Creation Into "Target Practice" Book". Jenesis Magazine. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  27. ↑ "No Heart Feelings - Single". iTunes.
  28. ↑ Unknown, JES7. "Gerald Walker Announces 'Target' World Tour; Releases Visual For "Danziger"". 2dopeboyz. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  29. ↑ http://orangemixtapes.com/mixtape/G/692/1123-gerald-walker-yesterday-you-said-tomorrow.html

External links

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