We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gerald Dixon II. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gerald below.

Alright, Gerald thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Let me preface this with, I would want you to read this as if I’m having a conversation with you. So with that being said, thank you for taking to the time to read and being open enough to know more about me. I hope that this can make you “s.a.l.t.s.” a few times (smile a little then stop). Ok now with that out of the way on to the initial question.

One of the risks that I have taken is moving to Los Angeles from my hometown Detroit, MI. I had a decent following there. Played for many people from concerts to churches, to parks and more. I had a very comfortable financial situation. I went to visit my sister in Texas around my birthday Jan 2018. We were standing outside of Whataburger and I remember very vividly, that I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. It was as if all the traffic and chatter went silent I heard a voice with hope say, “It’s time to move.” Not knowing where to move exactly, I visited a few places over the years in the 2010s but I still remember the time I was visiting family in Los Angeles around the year that Shaggy song “It Wasn’t Me” came out, I had to be 10 or 11 ( I had no business singing that song but I digress) and it always stuck with me. I’ve been to Chicago, New Orleans, Miami, Austin, Manhattan, and more but Los Angeles still resonated.

Later that year, I was sitting in church and the speaker said two things to me that have been a foundation to my faith in one trusting God and Two trusting the process. He said “God wouldn’t send you anywhere he wouldn’t provide provision” and You’ll know where you’re supposed to be when what you want wants you. I made my preparations and risked my comfort to move to Los Angeles. since then I have been in movies, and commercials and made great connections. Played for city officials, celebrities, and backyard parties. Gained family and finances all because of taking a risk.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Gerald Dixon II BKA Pac-Man. I am an authentic artistic musician. I believe my purpose in this world is to motivate, encourage, and inspire people all around the world positively with my music. Born and raised in Detroit, my mom and dad instilled in me to get an education and understand the world is mine for the taking to make an impact. My goal in every performance, is to leave you feeling uplifted and charged with doing more for yourself, whether it’s to mend a relationship or grab that ice cream to treat yourself. I want people to see what utter joy looks like following your passion, dreams, and goals. Laughing and crying lead you to learn and respect yourself so much. This is what I convey in my lyrics in my music and gives a tangible personal and vulnerable experience in my playing. Genuine and unashamed of being me and loving every bit of it. Searching for ways to complement society is always there as well as community and family being the cornerstone of my work. I can be proud to know that I make a footprint in the places that I walk in.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Back in 2023, I received my first-ever eviction notice. Money wasn’t coming in like it was just a few months prior. I had just got my first place to myself with no roommates, if you live in LA then you understand it is an arduous undertaking to stay in a 1 bedroom apartment, so I received my first eviction notice and broke down. I started to have uncontrollable panic and anxiety attacks. I had seizure-like spasms and real trouble breathing. I went to several hospitals that couldn’t help me. prayed and reached out to friends some of that thought I was faking it or doing it for attention. If I could go on a tangent for just a sec, look I know people have done a lot for clout and attention; but it’s when you are around people that you know and have shared vulnerable things with that thought I was faking knowing that I had never gone through ANYTHING like this before, but I digress. It was different and scary for me. I am not the one to claim to have it all together by no means but I was the one that was supposed to motivate. I was supposed to be the one inspiring. Those thoughts weren’t needed at that time and caused me to lose my place I was evicted. I almost gave up and moved back home. I was so close to stopping music for a long time. But the most wonderful thing during that time, and that was the main things that kept me from having anxiety and panic attacks was when I was. doing my passion. I was, thankfully, able to still perform and play music. Despite the eviction and losing close friends and a major supportive friend in 2023, I still preserved with music. I was able to perform at sold-out shows in Chile and Palos Verdes. I gained a new understanding of myself and honed in on respecting myself and appreciation for my real friends and family. I sought help therapy and forgiveness for being hard on myself. I am now still pursuing music and it’s more lucrative and stable. I am happier and managing so much better thanks to God, music, and community.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my view, what society can do to best support artists and creatives is just to share their work with others. I have been doing music for over 25+ years and almost 7 years doing music professionally. I have played in many venues from, stadiums to backyards. Been on TV, music videos, plays, and films. I put out content that inspires and sparks conversation but will only get a share if I post a video of eating food. Now I’m not saying that people who make food reviews aren’t viable, what I am saying is that we all know someone passionate about their craft, be it music, financial advice, painting, sewing, etc. They have put in the time and energy to make something with the little that they had but you can feel this was a personal experience for them. Share their work so that they can be seen by the right person. Support them at their shows or events. Stop always looking for a personal invite because you don’t look for a personal invite to the concert of an artist that you follow or even a movie. You, as the supporter, have a gift to be personally connected to someone who can change lives for the betterment of society believe in them, and share their love.

Speaking to the artists, keep on doing what you love to do. Always remember to do it for you first. People will always feel the authenticity through your work and that’s the important impact.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pacmanmusic_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dixonger
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Pacmanmusic_/featured
• Other: Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/gerald-pac-man-dixon-ii/1262126275