Reflection (Derek Minor album)

Last updated
Reflection
Derek minor reflection.jpg
Studio album by Derek Minor
Released October 14, 2016 (2016-10-14)
Recorded 2016
Genre Christian hip hop
Label Reflection, eOne
Derek Minor chronology
1014
(2016)
Reflection
(2016)

Reflection is the sixth studio album by American Christian hip hop artist Derek Minor, released on October 14, 2016. [1] It was released through RMG and Entertainment One.

Christian hip hop is a subgenre of hip hop music characterized by a Christian worldview, with the general purposes of evangelization, edifying some members of the church and/or simply entertaining. Christian hip hop music emerged from urban communities in the United States in the 1980s, when it existed almost exclusively in small underground scenes, with minimal formal industry promotion and little mainstream attention. It emphasizes the use of positive and uplifting messages to promote faith and belief.

Derek Johnson, Jr., better known by his stage name Derek Minor and former stage name PRo, is an American Christian hip hop artist, record producer, entrepreneur, actor, and screenwriter. He co-founded the hip-hop record label Reflection Music Group (RMG) with Doc Watson, and signed to Reach Records in a joint venture between the two labels in 2011. In 2012, Johnson announced that he had changed his stage name from Pro to Derek Minor. In 2014, he announced that as his two-album contract with Reach was complete, he would no longer be publishing releases through that label.

Entertainment One is a publicly traded Canadian multinational mass media and entertainment company. Based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the company is primarily involved in the acquisition, distribution, and production of music, as well as the distribution of other entertainment content, such as films and television series. The company became a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index in 2013.

Contents

Album concept

Derek Minor explained that the concept of the album addresses identity crisis in the United States, in an interview with Rapzilla, Derek Minor said "I feel like many of the issues that we face are based on identity issues. People, they don’t value themselves, they don’t value others, they don’t value family... Everyone has an identity crisis, and I wanted to contribute to that conversation with the record to say, ‘Nah, you were made for greatness. You weren’t made for no reason. You aren’t an accident. You weren’t just an afterthought by God. He made you, crafted you with an amazing purpose,’ and that’s the whole idea of the album — reflect God, reflect greatness". [2]

In psychology, identity crisis is the failure to achieve ego identity during adolescence. The term was coined by German psychologist Erik Erikson.

Reception

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number 7 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart, number 5 on the Rap Albums chart, and number 15 on the Independent Albums chart.

Top Rap Albums is an American record chart published by Billboard that ranks rap albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan.

The Independent Albums chart ranks the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays (EPs) in the United States, as compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is used to list artists who are not signed to major labels. Rankings are compiled by point-of-purchase sales obtained by Nielsen, and from legal music downloads from a variety of online music stores. The chart began in the week of December 2, 2000.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Jesus Freak HideoutStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]

Kevin Hoskins from Jesus Freak Hideout gave the album a 4 out of 5, saying "this is a very solid album that should be owned by all rap fans. It may not be as great as Dying to Live or Empire, but Reflection is still an excellent album. The focus and thought process is delivered in such a straightforward manner that Minor's point can't be missed." [3]

Track listing

  1. "Look At Me Now"
  2. "Hold Up"
  3. "You Know It"
  4. "Until I'm Gone" (featuring BJ the Chicago Kid)
  5. "Things Fall Apart"
  6. "Believe It"
  7. "I'm Good" (featuring Janice Gaines)
  8. "Judo"
  9. "Love Go High" (featuring Chrisette Michele)
  10. "Change the World" (featuring Hollyn)
  11. "Live"
  12. "Good Enough" (featuring Camille Faulkner)
  13. "Real Ones"
  14. "Greatness 2.0"

Pre-ordering the album came with 1014 EP:

  1. "Greatness"
  2. "Hand on the Bible"
  3. "Touchdown" (featuring Canon)
  4. "Drowning" (featuring V. Rose)

[4]

Related Research Articles

<i>Revenge</i> (Kiss album) 1992 studio album by Kiss

Revenge is the sixteenth studio album by American rock band Kiss, released on May 19, 1992. It is the band's first album to feature current drummer Eric Singer, following the death of former drummer Eric Carr in November 1991, and is also their last record to feature musical contributions from Carr. Marking a stylistic departure from the pop-influenced glam metal sound which characterised much of the band's 1980s output, the album was a worldwide success, becoming the first Kiss album since 1979's Dynasty to reach the Top 10 in the United States and reaching the Top 20 in seven other countries. It was certified gold by the RIAA on July 20, 1992.

SHeDAISY

SHeDAISY was an American country music group founded in the late 1980s by sisters Kristyn Robyn Osborn, Kelsi Marie Osborn, and Kassidy Lorraine Osborn from Magna, Utah. The group's name is derived from the word shideezhí, a Navajo term meaning "my little sister".

Lecrae American Christian hip hop artist, entrepreneur, record producer, and actor

Lecrae Devaughn Moore, mononymously known as Lecrae, is an American Christian hip hop recording artist, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is the president, co-owner and co-founder of the independent record label Reach Records, and the co-founder and president of the now-defunct non-profit organization ReachLife Ministries. To date, he has released seven studio albums and three mixtapes as a solo artist, and has released three studio albums, a remix album, and one EP as the leader of the hip hop group 116 Clique. He produced much of his earlier material along with other early Reach Records releases. Lecrae, in reference to his label as a Christian rapper, has stated that his music is just hip hop, though it reflects his Christian faith. In May 2016, Lecrae signed to Columbia Records in a joint deal between his label and Columbia.

<i>We the Best</i> 2007 studio album by DJ Khaled

We the Best is the second studio album by Miami-based DJ and fellow Terror Squad member DJ Khaled. It was released on June 12, 2007, by Terror Squad Entertainment, distributed by Koch Records. DJ Khaled alongside fellow rapper Fat Joe and Allah, collectively handled as the executive producers on this album. The album was produced by Cool & Dre, Jim Jonsin, The Diaz Brothers and The Runners; as well as the guest appearances from Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Trina, Paul Wall and Bun B, among others.

<i>Trilla</i> 2008 studio album by Rick Ross

Trilla is the second studio album by American rapper Rick Ross. It was released on March 11, 2008, by Slip-n-Slide Records, Def Jam Recordings and Poe Boy Entertainment. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 198,000 copies in the first week. The album was a certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). To date, the album has sold 700,000 copies in the United States.

William Lee Barefield III, better known by his stage name Trip Lee, is an American Christian rapper, singer, poet, and author. Signed to Reach Records, he has recorded both as a solo artist and as a founding member of the 116 Clique. Originally from Dallas, Texas, he now resides in Dallas, Texas, and is a young adult pastor at Concord Church, the church he grew up in. He first gained recognition after appearing on the Reach Records website at the age of 16. His third album, Between Two Worlds, was nominated for two Dove Awards and won the Stellar Award for Best Hip Hop Album in 2011.

Rick Ross American rapper, record executive and entrepreneur from Florida

William Leonard Roberts II, known professionally as Rick Ross, is an American rapper, entrepreneur and record executive.

Mark Julian Felder,, more commonly known under the mononym Bizzle, is an American Christian hip hop recording artist and entrepreneur. Previously referred to as Playboy, and Lavyss.

Kendrick Lamar American rapper, singer and record producer from California

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He is regarded as one of the most skillful and successful hip hop artists of his generation.

<i>Fear of God II: Let Us Pray</i> 2011 EP by Pusha T

Fear of God II: Let Us Pray is the major record label debut and extended play by American rapper Pusha T, released on November 8, 2011, under G.O.O.D. Music. The EP was his first project with Kanye West's GOOD Music label, since the announcement of his signing in September 2010. Pusha T claims his inspiration for Fear of God is that a vast majority of the people who he came in the music business with are in prison: "I Came in the game with super producers. We made hit records. I never thought that it gets deeper. But not for nothing, 2009 I lost eight of my friends to incarceration. Everybody that I came in to the rap game with, and when I realized that those components weren't there anymore, the 'Fear of God' really came over me. It's full of the dichotomy of 'right and wrong' and 'good and evil'. A lot of it deals with greed. A lot of it deals with instant gratification. Personally... life without instant gratification... I don't know what it is."

<i>The Good Life</i> (Trip Lee album) 2012 studio album by Trip Lee

The Good Life is the fourth studio album from Christian rap artist Trip Lee. The album was released in 2012, through Reach Records. The album includes features from Lecrae, Andy Mineo, KB, and Jimmy Needham, among others. Four singles were released for the album, "One Sixteen ", "I'm Good ", "Fallin' ", and "Robot". Three promotional music videos were released for the album for three of the four singles, "I'm Good", "Fallin", and "One Sixteen". It was released to critical acclaim, with critics praising Trip's flow, pop-style hooks, high-quality beats, moody electronics, and lyricism.

TouchN You single by Rick Ross featuring Usher

"Touch'N You" is a song by American rapper Rick Ross, featuring vocals from American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor Usher. It was released as the first single from his fifth studio album, God Forgives, I Don't on May 22, 2012. The song was produced by Rico Love and Pierre Medor. The music video was directed by Chris Robinson and features Omarion, Wale, DJ Khaled, actress and model Tae Heckard as Ross's leading lady.

Reach Records

Reach Records is an American record label specializing in Christian hip hop. The label was founded in 2004 by Ben Washer and hip-hop artist Lecrae. In addition to Lecrae, the Reach Records roster contains artists Andy Mineo, KB, Tedashii, Gawvi, Trip Lee, 1k Phew, and Whatuprg, as well as the hip-hop collective 116 Clique, whose ranks consist primarily of the label's solo acts. Reach Records is an imprint of the Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.

<i>Self Made Vol. 3</i> 2013 compilation album by Maybach Music Group

Self Made Vol. 3 is the third compilation album by MMG. The album was released on September 17, 2013, by Maybach Music Group and Atlantic Records. Like the two previous albums in the Self Made series, the album features contributions from members signed to the MMG label including Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Wale, Stalley, French Montana, Omarion and Rockie Fresh along with Gunplay, Young Breed and Torch of Triple C's. The album features additional guest appearances from Yo Gotti, Lil Boosie, Birdman, J. Cole, Fabolous, Pusha T, Hit-Boy, and Lupe Fiasco among others.

"Don't Sell Out" is a song by English rapper Tinie Tempah, featuring additional vocals from South African singer/rapper Candice Pillay and production from Balistiq. It was released on 25 September 2013 as a promotional single from Tempah's second studio album Demonstration (2013). It entered the UK Singles Chart at number 70.

<i>Below Paradise</i> 2014 studio album by Tedashii

Below Paradise is the fourth studio album from Christian hip hop recording artist Tedashii, released on May 27, 2014 by Reach Records. Based on his struggle to deal with the death of his son, the album tackles issues of pain, suffering, and the love of God in the midst of hardship. It met with a positive reception from music critics. The album sold 13,800 copies in its debut week causing it to chart at No. 17 on the Billboard 200.

R.M.G. is an American Christian hip hop group signed to Reflection Music Group. The group actively consists of four rappers Derek Minor, Canon, Tony Tillman, Byron Juane, and Deraj In 2012, the group broke through on the Billboard charts with their album Welcome to the Family that was released on March 27, 2012.

<i>God Forgives, I Dont</i> album

God Forgives, I Don't is the fifth studio album by American rapper Rick Ross. It was released on July 30, 2012, by Def Jam Recordings, Maybach Music Group and Slip-n-Slide Records. The album was produced by several record producers, including Cool & Dre, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Pharrell, Jake One, and Rico Love, among others.

Cardi B American rapper

Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, known professionally as Cardi B, is an American rapper, songwriter, and television personality. Born and raised in The Bronx, New York City, she became an internet celebrity after several of her posts and videos went viral on Vine and Instagram. From 2015 to 2017, she appeared as a regular cast member on the VH1 reality television series Love & Hip Hop: New York to follow her music aspirations, and released two mixtapes—Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2.

References

  1. "Reflection by Derek Minor on Apple Music".
  2. Daniels, David. "Derek Minor: 'Reflection' is response to identity crisis in America".
  3. 1 2 "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Derek Minor, "Reflection" Review".
  4. http://www.reflectionmusicgroup.com/news/2016/9/2/preorder-derek-minor-relfection