We had the good fortune of connecting with Gerald Law II and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Gerald, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
The most important lesson that I am continuing to learn is that we were not made to do things alone. Visionaries aren’t always the best with details and execution. This is where building a reliable and dedicated team comes in. There was a sense of pride I felt when I accomplished something on my own. A feeling that I really succeeded… but at what cost? As I have become more comfortable connecting with other minds and creatives and giving people opportunities to help, I have been able to do more than I ever would have accomplished on my own. And the feeling of success is even greater because I can share it with other people!
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Creating music has always been a passion of mine. It has been blessing to follow what I love and create a career from it. Most recently, my music has given me the opportunity to connect with black and brown people throughout the country and present a platform where we can share our stories. These stories shaped the music for a project that was birthed to amplify our voices in a time where silence is being forced on us. The ‘Who We Are’ project has been the toughest body of work in my career to this point. The challenge was to create music based on experiences that were not solely my own. The project is intended to illuminate African-American culture; the music portrays who we are as people, using text and audio from interviews to amplify the sound and perspective of these voices — the sounds of these human beings. This interdisciplinary residency is a collaboration between my brothers and I, Joel and Jamiel Law, and it includes the creation of new music and visual art based on interviews with a broad range of people who look like us. This is the most fulfilling work to date and it stems from the collaborative effort of all those who continue to contribute. The people give it life and I am excited to see what this project grows into.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite eats: Gringos Earl’s Kitchen & Bar Live music: Jazz Tastings Blue Bamboo Timucua Arts Foundation Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Hangs: Disney Springs Boxi Park City Walk (Universal) Park Ave (Winter Park)
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my wife, Yohanna Law. Before we ever went on our first date, she has been an inspiration and supporter of my career. As our relationship has grown over the years, her voice has steered me in directions that I was hesitant to pursue. Her creative input has helped shape my ideas into tangible goals that could be reached. As a graphic designer, I owe the entire transformation of my brand to her beautiful mind. We are not our best on our own and I am beyond grateful to have someone like her on my team.
Website: https://www.geraldlawmusic.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/geraldlawmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/geraldlawmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/geraldlawmusic/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/geraldlawmusic
Other: Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/gerald-law-ii/1355581491 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0gP7QQ4GRHJiDhXTHjGWqr
Image Credits
Montez Garner