Gerald Joshua Walker (born July 14, 1987), is an American rapper and singer from Chicago, Illinois. In 2018 he announced a partnership with Stalley's hip-hop collective Blue Collar Gang. Walker is known for his soul influenced style of hip-hop, and his associations with artist Layzie Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Cardo, Yelawolf, Skyzoo and Rockie Fresh.

Musical career

1987–2010: Early life and career beginnings

Gerald Walker was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Bellwood and Matteson.Gerald Walker I Remember When This All Meant Something (Mixtape)
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. 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. Walker attended Riverside University High School, and took classes at

Columbia College Chicago Columbia College Chicago is a Private college, private art college in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1890, it has 5,928https://about.colum.edu/effectiveness/pdf/spring-2021-student-profile.pdf students pursuing degrees in more than 60 undergra ...

during the summer. It was the summer after his high school

graduation Graduation is the awarding of a diploma to a student by an educational institution. It may also refer to the ceremony that is associated with it. The date of the graduation ceremony is often called graduation day. The graduation ceremony is a ...

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". In 2010 Gerald Walker released his second official mixtape, '' I Remember When This All Meant Something...''. 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.

2011–2012: ''Believers Never Die''...

In January 2011, Gerald Walker purchased a

leased A lease is a contractual arrangement calling for the user (referred to as the ''lessee'') to pay the owner (referred to as the ''lessor'') for the use of an asset. Property, buildings and vehicles are common assets that are leased. Industrial ...

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. 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. In May 2011, while on tour Walker released his third official

mixtape A mixtape (alternatively mix-tape, mix tape or mixed tape) is a compilation of music, typically from multiple sources, recorded onto a medium. With origins in the 1980s, the term normally describes a homemade compilation of music onto a cassette ...

, '' On Your Side'', a collaboration effort with producer, Cardo. In June, Gerald Walker was featured on

MTV MTV (Originally an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable channel that launched on August 1, 1981. Based in New York City, it serves as the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group, part of Paramount Media Networks, a di ...

's RapFix Live broadcast, where he appeared with other mainstream and popular artist including Lloyd Banks, Maino and Jim Jones. In September, Walker released his fourth mixtape ''

The Other Half of Letting Go ''The Other Half of Letting Go...'' is the fourth official mixtape from Milwaukee, Wisconsin rapper Gerald Walker. The mixtape was released on September 20, 2011, through One Step at a Time Music. The mixtape is named after American painter Esao A ...

'', in collaboration with popular street-wear brand Diamond Supply. 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." The mixtape was the only hip-hop release featured in the Shepherd Express "2011 Essential Albums of the Year" list. In November, The Source debuted the

track list Track or Tracks may refer to: Routes or imprints * Ancient trackway, any track or trail whose origin is lost in antiquity * Animal track, imprints left on surfaces that an animal walks across * Desire path, a line worn by people taking the sho ...

and

cover art Cover art is a type of artwork presented as an illustration or photograph on the outside of a published product such as a book (often on a dust jacket), magazine, newspaper ( tabloid), comic book, video game (box art), music album (album art), ...

to Gerald Walker's second Christmas album ''

It's Christmastime Again, Gerald Walker ''It's Christmastime Again, Gerald Walker'' is the second Christmas album and third studio album by American recording artist Gerald Walker. It is the first album released as Gerald Walker & The Family and was released in the United States on Nove ...

''. 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.

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. 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. 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. On June 5, 2015, Walker released the first single from Target titled "No Heart Feelings" featuring The Family. 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.

2018–present: Blue Collar Gang

In July 2018, Walker in an interview with ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' 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. 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 Gerald Joshua Walker (born July 14, 1987), is an American rapper and singer from Chicago, Illinois. In 2018 he announced a partnership with Stalley's hip-hop collective Blue Collar Gang. Walker is known for his soul influenced style of hip-hop, ...

''. 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.

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.

Discography

Studio albums

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 ''A Gerald Walker Christmas'' is the first Christmas album by United States, American rapper Gerald Walker, released by One Step at a Time Music on December 20, 2010 in the United States. Background The album is inspired by Charles M. Schulz's "A ...

'' *2011: '' On Your Side'' *2011: ''

'' *2011: ''

'' *2012: ''Believers Never Die'' *2012: ''On Your Side Part Deux'' (2012) *2012: ''Gerald Walker Christmas Collection Vol. 1'' (2012) *2014: "Yesterday You Said Tomorrow" *2015: '' Target'' *2017: ''Target: Redux'' *2018: '' People Tell Themselves Anything to Justify Everything'' *2019: ''

'' *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

External links

From Da Bricks Magazine Interview
{{DEFAULTSORT:Walker, Gerald African-American male rappers Midwest hip hop musicians Columbia College Chicago alumni 1987 births Living people Songwriters from Illinois Rappers from Chicago People from Matteson, Illinois People from Bellwood, Illinois 21st-century American rappers 21st-century American male musicians African-American songwriters