Derek Minor, formerly PRo, has come a long way since his debut album, Black Out, in 2008. Starting with strong rhymes, he’s now grown to combine his lyrical skills with dope beats and a message that encourages and challenges listeners. Along the way, Derek, with the help of business partner Doc Watson, started Reflection Music Group (RMG), signed with the Reach Records team, completed three mixtapes, released two albums, and charted multiple times on Billboard’s Gospel, Christian, and Top 200 charts.
In the mid to late 2000’s, Derek Minor began his connection with independent label Reach Records. Through church relationships, he was introduced to co-owner and Grammy award winning artist Lecrae. While the label spent a few years in Memphis, Lecrae challenged Minor in his faith in Christ and music. RMG was already making moves and it became clear that a partnership between Minor and Reach would be mutually beneficial. Derek was signed for two albums, which would provide an opportunity to grow Derek’s music, label, and business insights.
On the Reach/Minor partnership, co-owner Ben Washer comments, “If you have been at an Unashamed Tour in the last few years, you have experienced Derek’s epic anthem for the 116 movement. This is a continuation of the movement and the realization of Derek and Doc’s dreams for Reflection. I remember Reach launching out on our own after a partnership and now RMG is ready for the next phase.”
“My time at Reach Records has been a blessing,” says Minor. “I’ve grown as an artist, business owner, and a man. The beauty of the relationship we’ve established is that business wasn’t its primary agenda, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for both RMG and Reach. Lecrae Moore states, “I’ve known Derek for years even before we did music together. He’s always been driven. We saw a great opportunity to help him build his own label. It was inevitable for him to branch out expand and continue to build upon the movement he’s created. He’s an all around talent as an artist, producer, writer, and businessman. That’s rare.”
As Derek and RMG conclude the partnership, they reflect on the invaluable insight that the partnership provided. The two album signing laid groundwork and strategy to grow the label in the years to come. RMG co-founder Doc Watson assents: “Thanks to Ben and Lecrae at Reach, we learned many things and they helped us to set up RMG the right way. We appreciate their help and stewarding through the years.”
So, what’s to come from RMG & Derek Minor? If the present is any indication, the future holds huge potential. Minor is currently touring on a 48-stop tour with Winter Jam in support of his Billboard charting album, Minorville. Other RMG artists Canon, B Cooper, and Deraj have dropped well received albums, with Canon’s Mad Haven charting on the Gospel and Christian charts. Label-mates Chad Jones & Tony Tillman round out the Reflection Music Group roster and are currently in the studio readying new material. In 2014, make time for Reflection!
