Born Derek Johnson Jr. in Pontiac, MI, Pro relocated to Tennessee with his mom at a young age, which meant more distance between him and an already detached father. After moving, Pro and his new stepfather’s relationship was plagued by an ever-growing tension, as he had grown accustomed to being the man of the house and helping to raise his younger sister. Beyond that, he knew his step-dad was consuming drugs while Pro’s strict, devoutly Christian mother was juggling a rigorous work schedule and life at home. As Pro watched her struggle, he decided that, once he could, he would save money and become rich through education or music.
Music had always been a part of his environment growing up, as Gospel songs flooded the house and his mom sung in the choir and around the city. But it was Pro’s dad, a jazz musician, who would supply him with the inspiration to actually pursue a career in music. When Pro was 12, on a summer visit to his dad’s house, he started rapping about God and adolescence over beats his dad produced with his new ASR-10. That summer, he was also introduced to DJ Quick and 2pac and headed home with a stack of tapes filled with different beats--the stage had been set.
After a visit to Middle Tennessee State University at 15, Pro was convinced that he wanted to enroll in the music program there and someday make his ambitions a reality. His mom joined the cause by buying him his own production equipment; by the time he entered college, he was in a rap duo and had gotten a job to pay for studio time. In relentless pursuit of his dream, Pro recalls using a bunk bed as a mic stand before turning 21 and signing a record deal with an independent label. While on the label, he released a mix tape, but the company folded and life began taking a morbid turn. Removed from the dos and don’ts of his strict home, Pro reveled in the forbidden. Music, women and money became idols in his life until “the season of death” woke him up.
Within a short time span, Pro loss his grandfather, grandmother and godmother. As a result, he began to understand that life was fleeting; growing weary, he cried out to God and surrendered his life and talents. Some time later, after forming Reflection Music Group with his friend Doc Watson, he released his debut album The Black Out, on which he wrestled with being East Coast or Southern; and cocky, yet still Christian. The album wasn’t received well within Christian circles, so Pro took a break from rapping long enough to be challenged and influenced by two guys he met at his new church. “Lecrae and BJ challenged me to let the Gospel truly affect my heart,” he recalls, and as he did, his perspectives and artistic style were completely changed.
Since then, Pro has collaborated on several noteworthy projects and released PSA, a mix tape he calls his first full-length installment of mature Christian music; Redemption; and PSA Vol. 2. His second album, Redemption, debuted at No. 3 on the iTunes Gospel chart and No.8 on Billboard Gospel, while also topping other mainstream and Gospel charts. With the success of his sophomore album and the growing popularity of tracks he has either produced or been featured on, Pro has established a unique presence in CHH. As the opening act for the “Unashamed Tour” in 2010, Pro won over audiences around the country with his amplifying performances and gritty lyrics. His latest release, PSA Vol. 2, is the second installment in an ongoing series of topically diverse, sonically evolving and authentically Hip Hop music that also introduces listeners to upcoming Reflection artists.
A self-described blue-collar artist, Pro embraces his ability to get listeners amped, but ultimately, he wants them to feel and be inspired to pursue something greater than themselves. He currently resides in Nashville, TN where he is an active member of Fellowship Bible Church along with his wife. And while his popularity grows with each release, past experiences have taught him that, “Peace is more important than anything,” so his enduring ambition and motivation to continue making quality music is simply to glorify God with his life.
SWEET DREAMS
Derek Minor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So hopefully I'll stop having these nightmares
And if you wanna know what a dream 'bout
It's that one thing you might get
15 years old
Sitting in my bedroom
Watching my baby sister
Burning my arms
The pressure hit me like typhoons
'Cause I'm the only black kid in my homeroom
I felt the power of words that day
When I was called coon
Sharp as any sword
When they cut, it scar you
You know the pain when people seem to ignore you
I grab the teacher like "I just want to be heard!"
I went home, and put it all inside a notebook
Poetry is molding me
Look, this how hope look
My father is in Michigan
My step-dad addicted and
My mom's out at working all her fingers to the bone
And I feel like I'm worthless and hurting beneath the surface
It's clear that I am broken Lord,
I just need you in my home
And that day
A dream was born
That in 16 bars
You can hear my pain in this song.
I just want to get these dreams out,
So hopefully I'll stop having these nightmares
And if you wanna know what a dream 'bout
It's that one thing you might get
I see some doctors and lawyers
With a person to cure cancer
And they don't even know it
It's a voice in they dreams, it drowned out
By the loudmouths
Dreamkillers screaming for God to quiet down
So if they say that you are nothin'
Tell em' thank you
'Cause God created this whole universe, that is proof
Meaning, we're expressions of the greatest artist
Brushstrokes of The King's speech, greatest masterpiece
So why you let em' take your purpose? (Huh?)
(It's the dream that he gave you)
Why you believin' that you worthless? (Huh?)
(It's a reason why he made you)
Fly higher, inspire,
You were wired to be The Lord's greatness
Naysayers are liars
And this what He designed me to do
I'm living my dream
You better live yours too.
I just want to get these dreams out,
So hopefully I'll stop having these nightmares
And if you wanna know what a dream 'bout
It's that one thing you might get
Now, all my dreamers say (Ooh)
Don't let em' ever take your dream away (Ooh)
Now, all my dreamers say (Ooh)
Don't let em' ever take your dream away (Ooh)
They can never take your dream away
The lyrics of Derek Minor's song "Sweet Dreams" is about the artist's painful experiences during his teenage years and how he found solace in writing poetry and music. The song starts with the artist wanting to get his dreams out, hoping to stop having nightmares about the things he has experienced. He then transports the listener through time to his teenage years, where he faced racism, self-doubt and pressure. He was the only black kid in his homeroom and was called a "coon" by his classmates, which cut him deep. He used his pain to fuel his creativity and started writing poetry, which molded him into a stronger person. Through his lyrics, he urges listeners to pursue their dreams, no matter what obstacles come their way.
The artist then moves on to talk about the "dreamkillers" and "naysayers" who try to drown out the voices of those pursuing their dreams. He urges the listener to stay strong and push through every obstacle because they were wired to be God's greatness. The song ends with the artist encouraging all dreamers to pursue their dreams and not to let anyone take them away.
Line by Line Meaning
I just want to get these dreams out,
The artist wants to express his dreams through music.
So hopefully I'll stop having these nightmares
By expressing his dreams, the artist hopes to rid himself of negative thoughts and feelings.
And if you wanna know what a dream 'bout
The artist is willing to share his dreams and inspire others.
It's that one thing you might get
The dream is something achievable by anyone who strives to attain it.
15 years old
The artist is reminiscing about his past and how he started on his musical journey.
Sitting in my bedroom
The artist is setting the stage for his story, recalling where he was when it all started.
Watching my baby sister
The artist is highlighting his familial responsibilities at a young age.
And praying Mom's will be home soon
The artist is expressing the absence of his mother and the role she played in his life.
Burning my arms
The artist is indicating that he was practicing self-harm as a way of coping with his pain.
The pressure hit me like typhoons
The artist felt overwhelmed and under pressure.
'Cause I'm the only black kid in my homeroom
The artist is highlighting some of the struggles he faced due to his race.
I felt the power of words that day
The artist is recalling a specific event that had a profound impact on him.
When I was called coon
The artist was subjected to racial slurs which affected him deeply.
Sharp as any sword
The artist is comparing words to a weapon and the pain they can inflict.
When they cut, it scar you
The artist highlights the lasting effects of hurtful words.
You know the pain when people seem to ignore you
The artist felt invisible and unimportant to those around him.
I grab the teacher like "I just want to be heard!"
The artist needed a way to express his pain and seeks validation.
I went home, and put it all inside a notebook
The artist found writing to be a therapeutic way of dealing with his emotions.
Poetry is molding me
The artist is indicating that writing poetry has helped shape him into the person he is today.
Look, this how hope look
The artist is using his writing to inspire hope in himself and others.
My father is in Michigan
The artist is highlighting another absence in his life.
My step-dad addicted and
The artist's stepfather struggles with addiction, adding to his challenges growing up.
My mom's out at working all her fingers to the bone
The artist's mother was absent due to her hard work to support the family.
And I feel like I'm worthless and hurting beneath the surface
The artist is expressing his feelings of inadequacy and deep pain that he carried with him.
It's clear that I am broken Lord,
The artist is acknowledging that he is broken and in need of help.
I just need you in my home
The artist is seeking spiritual guidance and support to overcome his struggles.
And that day
The artist is recalling a turning point in his life.
A dream was born
The artist had a dream that he could use music to share his story and inspire others.
That in 16 bars
The artist is indicating that he can express his pain and story in a short amount of time.
You can hear my pain in this song.
The artist is using his music to express his pain and help others relate to it.
I see some doctors and lawyers
The artist is highlighting the societal expectations placed on individuals to become successful in traditional roles.
With a person to cure cancer
The artist is pointing out that individuals may have a greater purpose in life beyond traditional expectations.
And they don't even know it
The artist is acknowledging that people may have more potential than they realize.
It's a voice in they dreams, it drowned out
The artist is expressing how society's expectations can cause individuals to ignore their own dreams and aspirations.
By the loudmouths
The artist is pointing out that people may be influenced by others who constantly voice their own opinions and expectations on them.
Dreamkillers screaming for God to quiet down
The artist is indicating that sometimes people may discourage others from chasing their dreams, even going as far as blaming God.
So if they say that you are nothin'
The artist is acknowledging that many people may feel like they are nothing or not worthy of achieving their dreams.
Tell em' thank you
The artist is encouraging people to see negative comments as an opportunity to prove them wrong.
'Cause God created this whole universe, that is proof
The artist is reminding people of their worth and that they were created for a greater purpose.
Meaning, we're expressions of the greatest artist
The artist is highlighting that every person has value and is a representation of a greater power.
Brushstrokes of The King's speech, greatest masterpiece
The artist is comparing people to a work of art, created by a greater power.
So why you let em' take your purpose? (Huh?)
The artist is challenging the listener to question why they allow others to diminish their dreams and aspirations.
(It's the dream that he gave you)
The artist is reminding the listener that their dreams and aspirations were given to them for a reason.
Why you believin' that you worthless? (Huh?)
The artist is trying to make the listener question why they believe that they are not worthy of their dreams and aspirations.
(It's a reason why he made you)
The artist is reminding the listener that they were created for a reason and have a purpose.
Fly higher, inspire,
The artist is encouraging the listener to reach for the stars and inspire others along the way.
You were wired to be The Lord's greatness
The artist is highlighting that every person has greatness within them, placed there by a greater power.
Naysayers are liars
The artist is indicating that those who discourage others from chasing their dreams are not telling the truth.
And this what He designed me to do
The artist is expressing that he believes that his purpose is to inspire and encourage others through his music.
I'm living my dream
The artist is indicating that he is currently living out the dream he once had.
You better live yours too.
The artist is encouraging the listener to also chase after their dreams and aspirations.
Now, all my dreamers say (Ooh)
The artist is addressing those who have listened to his message and are inspired to chase their dreams.
Don't let em' ever take your dream away (Ooh)
The artist is reminding the listener to not let others discourage them from pursuing their dreams.
They can never take your dream away
The artist is highlighting that no one can take away a person's dreams and aspirations, only they have the power to let them go.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BILLY HAYES, JAY W. JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind