On Christmas night while most Jackson-area kids are enjoying their toys and gifts, local rap artists Darius and Charlie Walker III, ages nine and 11, respectively, will be performing on stage in Tennessee.
After only two and a half months as entertainers, the Jackson, Miss. duo expects to dazzle a large crowd at Hip Hop Memphis’ first Christmas Concert and After Party for kids, Dec. 25. The event, at the Next Level Complex, 5640 Summer Ave., Bartlett, Tenn., will benefit inner city Memphis youth and homeless shelters.
The Lil Walker Boiz and their manager-dad Charlie Walker II are excited about the engagement. “This is their first performance outside of the state of Mississippi,” said Charlie Walker II.
Just who are the Lil Walker Boiz, and how did they get started?
In a Friday, Dec. 17, interview with The Mississippi Link, the young artists said they got noticed while participating in a photo opportunity with local popular young artist Alysyia Terry aka Noo Noo at the Jackson Convention Complex.
“We were just watching her perform. Later, she was taking pictures with people and signing autographs, so we took a picture with her,” said Charlie III. “When we were up there trying to take a picture with her, other people started lining up to take a picture with us. They thought we were artists, too.”
The American biracial (black and Filipino) brothers said it was during that photo opportunity that Noo Noo’s manager Ray showed an interest and requested to hear some music from them. With the help of family friends, the boys put together a demo. Noo Noo’s people liked it. “That next week, we were asked to perform with Noo Noo in Crystal Springs,” said Charlie III.
The word got out and the Lil Walker Boiz began receiving numerous requests to perform, growing quite a fan base of their own. “Although we had a blast, we got a little ‘scare’ after Friday night’s performance in Yazoo City,” their father later told The Mississippi Link. “About a hundred teens just rushed toward the boys after they got off stage; we were not expecting that. However, we were able to keep them safe. We appreciate the fans’ support,” he said. The Yazoo performance was for a teen step show at the Boys and Girls Club.
The Atlanta-born artists have also been introduced to such professional rap producers as Beat Masta Wes & Averexx (“Game Belong To Me,” “Game Been Good To Me” by UGK), DJ B-Doe (“Countin Money Fast” Bun B,), Ray Seay (T.I, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, Hurricane Kris), Pat Tall Boy (R.Kelly), Ronnie Notch, and Pacino.
Because of their style, long hair, etc., the Mississippi-homegrown young artists have been compared to the duo of the 90’s, Kriss Kross. Their most popular tune is “The Walker Swagg.”
The independent artists are seeking to sign with a major label. According to their website, www.lilwakerboiz.com, their music comes from kid-like experiences.
A motto they live by that has trickled down from their father’s Port Gibson, Miss. heritage states, “Play Smart, Play Hard and Finish Strong.” They enjoy sharing their feelings and excitement as kids through music. When asked how clean is their rap, Darius quickly responded, “We are not hard core!” They consider their music, urban pop.
Becoming rap entertainers is not the brothers’ only goal. They enjoy school. “We’re making A’s and B’s, mostly A’s,” said Darius, who attends Woodville Heights Elementary School. Charlie III, who wants to become a surgeon, has already been accepted into a medical program which mentors students interested in medicine through a partnership between The University of Mississippi Medical Center and Jackson Public Schools. He is in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Siwell Middle School.
Darius Walker said he would like to become a professional football or basketball player. “But if that screws up, I’ll probably be a surgeon like Charlie.” The boys are also interested in acting and have performed in a few community plays.
Their father, mother Aly and little sister Laila, 5, said they are extremely proud of them. “Everything seems to be happening so fast for them,” said their mother.
The boys, who just recessed from school for the holiday break, are on a little “mini tour” as they call it. They performed Sunday, Dec. 19, at Murrah High School during a dance competition from 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, they performed at Port Gibson’s High School.
They conclude their “mini tour” with their Hip Hop Memphis performance Christmas night.
For more information about the LilWalker Boiz and to listen to their tunes, log on to www.lilwalkerboiz.com
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