Gerald Walker
{{Short description|American rapper and singer}}
{{for-multi|the American magazine editor|Gerald Walker (writer)|the American baseball player|Gee Walker}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Gerald Walker
| image =
| caption =
| image_size =
| birth_name = Gerald Joshua Walker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|07|14}}
| birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
| death_date =
| origin = Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|songwriter|record producer}}
| years_active = 2007–present
| label = INgrooves, Sentric, Blue Collar Gang
| associated_acts = {{hlist|Cardo|Rockie Fresh|Stalley|Taylor Gang}}
| website = {{URL|walkwithgerald.com}}
}}
Gerald Joshua Walker (born July 14, 1987), is an American rapper and singer from Chicago, Illinois.{{cite web|title=TARGET Practice: 52 Weeks to Completing my Album|url=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/target-practice-gerald-walker/1121964176?type=eBook|publisher=Barnes & Noble}} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8465549/gerald-walker-new-song-trenches-layzie-bone-stix|title= Gerald Walker Enlists Layzie Bone & Stix for His New Record 'Trenches': Premiere|last=Lamarre|first=Carl|date=July 16, 2018|work=Billboard.com|publisher=Billboard Magazine|accessdate=July 16, 2018}}
Musical career
= 1987–2010: Early life and career beginnings =
Walker was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Bellwood and Matteson.[http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Gerald-Walker-I-Remember-When-This-All-Meant-Something_-Mixtape.html/ Gerald Walker I Remember When This All Meant Something (Mixtape)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816105713/http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Gerald-Walker-I-Remember-When-This-All-Meant-Something_-Mixtape.html |date=August 16, 2018 }}. Okayplayer. Retrieved on August 27, 2010 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.blogordiepgh.com/2011/08/blogordiepgh-interview-with-gerald-walker/|title=Gerald Walker Interview!|last=Enloe|first=Spencer|date=August 16, 2011|work=BlogorDiePGH|publisher=BOD|accessdate=December 13, 2011}}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} 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.{{citation|last=Board |first=Will |date=September 17, 2008|title= Gerald Walker: The Season Relief Begins|url=http://www.feedmecoolshit.com/interviews-archive/gerald-walker/ |work=www.feedmecoolshit.com}} Walker attended Riverside University High School, and took classes at Columbia College Chicago during the summer.{{cite news |first=Mariah |last=Craddick |title=Chicago Rapper Gerald Walker Introduces "Life Music" |url=http://www.glossmagazineonline.com/Articles/Entertainment/Chicago-Rapper-Gerald-Walker-Introduces-Life-Music.html |work=Gloss Magazine Online|date=January 14, 2011}}
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".{{Cite web|url=http://illroots.com/read/gerald-walker-evening-out-with-your-girlfriend-illroots-deluxe-edition|title=Gerald Walker – Evening Out With Your Girlfriend [illRoots Deluxe Edition]|last=September 9, 2009|website=ILLROOTS|access-date=January 17, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://mixtapemaestro.net/2009/10/gerald-walker-half-of-life-is-fucking-up-the-other-half-is-dealing-with-it-get-your-money-with-will-i-am.html|title=Gerald Walker – "Half of Life Is Fucking Up…The Other Half Is Dealing With It"/ "Get Your Money" with Will.I.Am"|date=October 12, 2009|accessdate=December 19, 2009|archive-date=November 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091110234004/http://mixtapemaestro.net/2009/10/gerald-walker-half-of-life-is-fucking-up-the-other-half-is-dealing-with-it-get-your-money-with-will-i-am.html|url-status=dead}}[http://www.dailytarheel.com/index.php/blog/dive/2009/09/mixtape_roundup_sept._3_to_9/ Mixtape Round-Up: Sept. 3 to 9]. The Daily Tar Heel Newspaper. Retrieved on September 9, 2009
In 2010 Gerald Walker released his second official mixtape, I Remember When This All Meant Something....{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/gowhere-hip-hop/2010/07/gerald-walker-i-remember-when-this-all-meant-something.html|title=Gerald Walker 'I Remember When This All Meant Something'|last=Tibbs|first=Sgt.|date=July 16, 2007|publisher=Chicago Now|accessdate=July 19, 2010|archive-date=July 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100719045623/http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/gowhere-hip-hop/2010/07/gerald-walker-i-remember-when-this-all-meant-something.html|url-status=dead}} 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.
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.{{Cite web |url=http://ynotmydream.net/2010/12/21/gerald-walker-a-gerald-walker-christmas-freep-x-ynmd-interview/ |title=A Gerald Walker Christmas (FREep) & Interview . Ynotmydream.net. Retrieved on 2010-10-26 |access-date=December 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222001530/http://ynotmydream.net/2010/12/21/gerald-walker-a-gerald-walker-christmas-freep-x-ynmd-interview/ |archive-date=December 22, 2010 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news|url=http://rubyhornet.com/a-gerald-walker-christmas-ep/|title=A Gerald Walker Christmas EP – Ruby Hornet|date=December 20, 2010|newspaper=Ruby Hornet|language=en-US|access-date=January 17, 2017}}
= 2011–2012: ''Believers Never Die''... =
In January 2011, Gerald Walker purchased a leased hip-hop instrumental from Dallas Texas, 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.{{cite web|url=http://mostlyjunkfood.com/gerald-walker-heres-everything-ive-always-meant-to-say/|title=Gerald Walker – "Here's Everything I've Always Meant To Say"|last=Duds|first=Mark.|date=January 13, 2010|publisher=Mostly Junk Food|accessdate=December 12, 2011}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.twokidsfromvermont.com/2011/04/david-gerald-walker-to-tour-with.html|title=Gerald Walker to Tour with Yelawolf|last=Biral|first=David.|date=April 6, 2011|publisher=Two Kids From Vermont|accessdate=December 12, 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106024343/http://www.twokidsfromvermont.com/2011/04/david-gerald-walker-to-tour-with.html|archivedate=November 6, 2011}} In May 2011, while on tour Walker released his third official mixtape, On Your Side, a collaboration effort with producer, Cardo.{{cite web|url=http://losangelesleakers.com/2011/05/mixtape-cardo-gerald-walker-on-your-side-ep/|title=Cardo & Gerald Walker – On Your Side|last=Llamoca|first=Janice.|date=May 7, 2011|publisher=LA Leakers|accessdate=December 12, 2011}}{{Cite web|url=http://losangelesleakers.com/2011/05/mixtape-cardo-gerald-walker-on-your-side-ep/|title=Mixtape: Cardo & Gerald Walker – On Your Side EP|website=losangelesleakers.com|date=May 7, 2011 |access-date=January 17, 2017}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/photos/party-time-at-rapfix-live-one-year-anniversary-show/1670768/6542393/photo.jhtml|title=Gerald Walker freestyles on the "RapFix Live" anniversary show|last=Chandel|first=Natasha.|date=September 15, 2011|publisher=MTV News|accessdate=December 12, 2011}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} In September, Walker released his fourth mixtape The Other Half of Letting Go, in collaboration with popular street-wear brand Diamond Supply.{{cite web|url=http://www.rawemag.org/2011/09/gerald-walker-the-other-half-of-letting-go-tracklist-and-artwork/|title=Gerald Walker – The Other Half of Letting Go|last=Ashley|first=Erin.|date=September 16, 2011|publisher=Rawe Magazine News|accessdate=December 12, 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426013314/http://www.rawemag.org/2011/09/gerald-walker-the-other-half-of-letting-go-tracklist-and-artwork/|archivedate=April 26, 2012}} 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."{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/reviews/2011/09/gerald-walker-the-other-half-of-letting-go/|title=Gerald Walker, The Other Half of Letting Go|last=McKynzie|first=Amber.|date=September 20, 2011|publisher=XXL Magazine|accessdate=December 12, 2011}} The mixtape was the only hip-hop release featured in the Shepherd Express "2011 Essential Albums of the Year" list.{{cite web|url=http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/article-17078-the-essential-milwaukee-albums-of-2011.html|title=Gerald Walker, The Other Half of Letting Go|last=Rytlewski|first=Evan.|date=December 14, 2011|publisher=Shepherd Express|accessdate=December 14, 2011}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.thesource.com/articles/102796/|title=Gerald Walker & The Family – It's Christmastime Again, Gerald Wallker (Tracklist)|last=Lynch|first=Sean.|date=November 14, 2011|publisher=The Source Magazine|accessdate=December 14, 2011}}
= 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.{{cite web|url=http://fashionably-early.com/2013/05/20/gerald-walker-the-inspiration-ft-cardo/|title=Gerald Walker – The Inspiration (Feat. Cardo)|last=Albin|first=Matt.|date=May 20, 2013|publisher=Fashionably Early|accessdate=May 21, 2013|archive-date=March 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312212454/http://fashionably-early.com/2013/05/20/gerald-walker-the-inspiration-ft-cardo/|url-status=dead}}
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.[http://www.jenesismagazine.com/gerald-walker-announces-16-date-the-target-practice-tour-starting-28// Gerald Walker Announces 16 Date "The Target Practice" Tour Starting 2/8. JenesisMagazine.com. Retrieved on 2015-06-10] 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.{{cite web|last=Agnew|first=Thomas|title=Gerald Walker Talks How He Turned His 52 Week Album Creation Into "Target Practice" Book
|url=http://www.jenesismagazine.com/gerald-walker-talks-how-he-turned-his-52-week-album-creation-in-the-target-process-book/|publisher=Jenesis Magazine|accessdate=July 29, 2016}} On June 5, 2015, Walker released the first single from Target titled "No Heart Feelings" featuring The Family.{{Cite web|url=http://2dopeboyz.com/2015/06/10/gerald-walker-no-heart-feelings/|title=Gerald Walker – "No Heart Feelings"|last=Shake|date=June 10, 2015|website=2DOPEBOYZ|access-date=January 17, 2017}} 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.{{cite web|last=Unknown |first=JES7|title=Gerald Walker Announces 'Target' World Tour; Releases Visual For "Danziger"|url=http://2dopeboyz.com/2016/05/15/gerald-walker-danziger-video/|publisher=2dopeboyz|accessdate=July 29, 2016}}
= Since 2018: Blue Collar Gang =
In July 2018, Walker in an interview with Billboard announced a music partnership with rapper Stalley's Blue Collar Gang imprint. On December 7, 2018, Walker released his third studio EP titled People Tell Themselves Anything to Justify Everything.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8489040/gerald-walker-people-tell-themselves-anything-to-justify-everything-ep|title=Gerald Walker Releases 'People Tell Themselves Anything to Justify Everything' EP: Premiere|magazine=Billboard|last=Saponara|first=Michael|date=December 7, 2018|accessdate=December 7, 2018}} 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''.{{cite web|url=https://breakingandentering.net/2019/03/08/audio-gerald-walker-the-little-foxes-that-spoil-the-vines/|title=AUDIO: GERALD WALKER – "THE LITTLE FOXES, THAT SPOIL THE VINES"|work=Breakingandentering.net|last=Hallas|first=Allen|date=March 8, 2019|accessdate=March 8, 2019}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://swaysuniverse.com/stalley-freestyles-talks-being-independent-spiritual-evolution-new-project/|title=Stalley Freestyles + Talks Being Independent, Spiritual Evolution & New Project|last=House|first=Victory|website=Sway's Universe|date=October 31, 2019|accessdate=December 23, 2019|archive-date=December 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224060122/https://swaysuniverse.com/stalley-freestyles-talks-being-independent-spiritual-evolution-new-project/|url-status=dead}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/2019/12/premiere-gerald-walker-parked-car|title=Premiere: Gerald Walker Releases 'Can't Drive A Parked Car'|last=Ketchum III|first=William E.|website=VIBE|date=December 10, 2019|accessdate=December 22, 2019}}
Discography
{{Main|Gerald Walker discography}}
= Studio albums =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of albums, with selected details ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:18em;"| Album details |
| scope="row" | TARGET
| |
|---|
= Books =
- 2016: TARGET Practice: 52 Weeks to Completing My Album
= Albums and mixtapes =
- 2010: I Remember When This All Meant Something...
- 2010: A Gerald Walker Christmas EP
- 2011: On Your Side
- 2011: The Other Half of Letting Go
- 2011: It's Christmastime Again, Gerald Walker
- 2012: Believers Never Die
- 2012: On Your Side Part Deux (2012)
- 2012: Gerald Walker Christmas Collection Vol. 1 (2012)
- 2014: "Yesterday You Said Tomorrow"{{Cite web|url=http://www.datpiff.com/Gerald-Walker-Yesterday-You-Said-Tomorrow-mixtape.584355.html|title=Gerald Walker – Yesterday You Said Tomorrow Hosted by DJ Rockstar|website=DatPiff|access-date=January 17, 2017|archive-date=January 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118100953/http://www.datpiff.com/Gerald-Walker-Yesterday-You-Said-Tomorrow-mixtape.584355.html|url-status=dead}}
- 2015: Target
- 2017: Target: Redux
- 2018: People Tell Themselves Anything to Justify Everything
- 2019: The Little Foxes, That Spoil The Vines
- 2019: And Only a Few Ever Find It
- 2020: The World Will Spin Without You
- 2020: What Happened In Between...
Magazines and features
- URB (March 2008)
- Stuck Magazine (2007)
- Feed Me Cool Shit Magazine (2006)
- Annex Magazine (2013)
- Newsome WolfTracks newspaper (2013)
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080216134853/http://fromdabricks.com/2007/06/15/fdb-interview-spot-gerald-walker/ From Da Bricks Magazine Interview]
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Walker, Gerald}}
Category:African-American male rappers
Category:20th-century American male rappers
Category:Midwest hip-hop musicians
Category:Columbia College Chicago alumni
Category:Songwriters from Illinois
Category:People from Matteson, Illinois
Category:People from Bellwood, Illinois
Category:21st-century American rappers