The appeal of southern Hip Hop has long been country vernacular over crunk … Read Full Bio ↴The appeal of southern Hip Hop has long been country vernacular over crunk beats that keep heads bangin’ and bodies movin’. While the head bangers and dance anthems haven’t ceased, in recent years, authentic Hip Hop and true lyricism have taken a back seat to commercial success. In steps Pro; while not on a mission to resurrect real southern Hip Hop--having been redeemed and commissioned to influence the culture--Pro certainly brings a nostalgia for what was and a hope for what is to come, as part of a greater movement infiltrating Hip Hop with a powerful message.

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.

Stranger
Derek Minor Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Why don't you walk in my shoes for a minute
Come on Ride with me, Ride on with me down this lake [x2]
Why don't you walk in my shoes for a minute
Ride with me down this lake
Stand with here for a moment
See if you can bear my pain

Walk in my shoes for a minute

Ride with me down this lake
Stand with me here for a moment
See if you can bear my pain

Ok, Black on black Crime, Black on black violence
We don't talk to police
That's black on black silence
Living in Hell here we are just living on welfare
When everybody is broke, you feel for your welfare
Ah! Look at them thugs, how dangerous they are with gun in hand
Look at them ghetto girls twerking on that instagram
Don't bring them to our church cause we don't want that Riff Raff
What do you expect when most of us grew up wishing for dads
Go tossing on Community, people losing hope
Why you think he on that corner selling dope?
And now accord its a plan, We were chained on that boat
See America left our right we still hanging from the rope
And I promise
Wanna leave it in the past, but it's hard
Cause I just seen an unarmed teen shot down like a dog
I just pray you hear my heart
Cause it's heavy and unrifing
See the reason for this song, is that i'm aching

Why don't you walk in my shoes for a minute
Come, Ride with me, Ride on with me down this lake [x2]
Why don't you walk in my shoes for a minute
Ride with me down this lake
Stand with here for a moment
See if you can bear my pain

Walk in my shoes for a minute
Ride with me down this lake
Stand with me here for a moment
See if you can bear my pain

Oh I'm hurting, I'm ashamed
And I'm wondering, Do you know my Pain
Oh I'm hurting, I'm ashamed
And I'm wondering, Do you ever know my Pain

And I'm convinced that we should love one another
Regardless of our opinion, we all bleed the same color
We're made in the image of God and no other
It's clear the world is hurt but I could tell you Daddy love us (love us)
So even if you hate me, Imma Love you
Imma heal your heart and tell the Lord take this pain from you
Imma Pray for you, Imma feel your struggle
You gonna feel mine
Imma Walk with You, I walk with you

Why don't you walk in my shoes for a minute
Come, Ride with me, Ride on with me down this lake [x2]

Why don't you walk in my shoes for a minute
Oh I'm hurting!

Overall Meaning

The song "Stranger" by Derek Minor feat. Roz is a candid and poignant reflection on the ongoing struggles of black communities in America. The opening lines invite the listener to empathize with the singer's situation by encouraging them to "walk in [his] shoes" and "ride with [him] down this lake." The subsequent lyrics shed light on the issues faced by black Americans, including black-on-black violence, poverty, and police brutality.

The song's second verse confronts many of these issues head-on by highlighting the systemic failures that have allowed them to persist. Examples in the lyrics include the glorification of violence and sexualization of black women in media, social and economic oppression, and a lack of positive role models for young black men. The song concludes on a note of hope, however, with the suggestion that despite these challenges, love and empathy can still allow us to overcome the divide between us.

The song's powerful lyrics speak to the experiences of many black Americans, and its message of empathy and understanding resonates deeply with listeners. The song has been noted for its use of autobiographical details, which help to ground the lyrics in real experiences and emotions. Overall, "Stranger" is a powerful work of art that not only offers a glimpse into the struggles of black communities in America but also offers hope for a brighter future based on compassion and empathy.

Line by Line Meaning

Why don't you walk in my shoes for a minute
Experience my life and my struggles for a moment

Come on Ride with me, Ride on with me down this lake [x2]
Join me and experience the journey of my life

Stand with here for a moment
Be here with me and understand my pain

See if you can bear my pain
Experience the pain and suffering that I am going through

Ok, Black on black Crime, Black on black violence
Violence and crime within the black community

We don't talk to police
Lack of trust and fear of the police among the black community

That's black on black silence
Silence and lack of action within the black community towards violence and crime

Living in Hell here we are just living on welfare
Struggling to survive and relying on government welfare

When everybody is broke, you feel for your welfare
In difficult times, people become protective of their own welfare

Ah! Look at them thugs, how dangerous they are with gun in hand
Negative stereotypes associated with black men and violence

Look at them ghetto girls twerking on that instagram
Negative stereotypes associated with black women

Don't bring them to our church cause we don't want that Riff Raff
Judgment and rejection within the church towards certain groups of people

What do you expect when most of us grew up wishing for dads
Lack of father figures and the impact on the black community

Go tossing on Community, people losing hope
The impact of poverty on the community and feelings of hopelessness

Why you think he on that corner selling dope?
The reasons why someone turns to selling drugs

And now accord its a plan, We were chained on that boat
The history of slavery and its impact on black people today

See America left our right we still hanging from the rope
Systemic racism and discrimination that still affects black people

And I promise Wanna leave it in the past, but it's hard
Struggling to move on from the past and its impact on the present

Cause I just seen an unarmed teen shot down like a dog
The impact of police brutality and violence on the black community

I just pray you hear my heart
Hoping that others can understand and empathize with his struggles

Cause it's heavy and unrifing
The emotional weight of his pain and struggles

See the reason for this song, is that i'm aching
The purpose of the song is to express his pain and struggles

Oh I'm hurting, I'm ashamed
Feeling emotional pain and shame

And I'm wondering, Do you know my Pain
Wondering if others can truly understand his pain

And I'm convinced that we should love one another
Believing in the importance of love and unity

Regardless of our opinion, we all bleed the same color
Despite our differences, we are all human and we all experience pain

We're made in the image of God and no other
Believing that we are all created equal in the eyes of God

It's clear the world is hurt but I could tell you Daddy love us (love us)
Despite the struggles of the world, he believes in the love of God

So even if you hate me, Imma Love you
Choosing to love others despite differences or disagreements

Imma heal your heart and tell the Lord take this pain from you
Offering love and support to heal the pain of others

Imma Pray for you, Imma feel your struggle
Willingness to connect with others and support them through their struggles

You gonna feel mine
Connecting with others and allowing them to feel his pain and struggles

Imma Walk with You, I walk with you
Offering support and solidarity to others

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DEREK JOHNSON, KENNETH MACKEY, ROSLYN WELCH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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