1. A Chr… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists that perform under the name Pro:
1. A Christian hip-hop artist from Nashville, TN (Born: Derek Johnson Jr - see full bio below)
2. A hip-hop artist from Burlington, VT (Born Brian McVey - Pro is a Burlington Vermont based MC that has been releasing dependable boom-bap since 2005. As a co-founder of The Aztext, Pro collaborated with Mac Lethal, !llmind, Shuko, Craig G, Wordsworth, and Romanian emcee Doc. In 2018, Pro co-founded GOOD WTHR, which was named as one of Music Connection Magazine's Top Prospects of 2018.)
(Artist #1 Bio)
Pro recalls using a bunk bed as a mic stand before turning 21 and signing a record deal with an independent label...
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 lost 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.
Aye You
Pro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
AYE YOU!
I see you riding by so fly
Tell me what you gon’ do when you die?
I’m screamin’ at ‘em like AYE
AYE
AYE
AYE
AYE YOU!
So if you wanna know about life
I can point you to the one who gave me mine
Holla at me like AYE
AYE
AYE
AYE
AYE YOU!
[Verse 1]
Now lemme chop it up wit’chu
They paint life so many ways to help you get a clear picture
This hot metal’ll fly out the barrell and still split you
You still tryna drink from a broken water pitcher
A cistern, grandma’s not my concern
But why the hood killin’ folk and we still won’t learn?
Turn money to a god ‘cause our homes are the altar
But it only lead to death, I suggest that we alter
What we put our faith in when life start to cave in
Then we wanna run to God like we need savin’
What about now? Just ‘cause you ain’t on your death bed
Don’t mean that you done found life, you already dead
But the cross is the defibrillator
Shock your heart man, help you focus on the Savior
So till they put ya boy in a tomb
I’m on a soapbox yellin’ the truth, screamin’ like …
[Hook]
[Verse 2]
Homie in the bed with his head on his pillow
Lookin’ at the ceiling wondering how to make a killin’
‘Cause there’s roaches in the living room
No food to consume and papa drinkin’ to his doom
Mama workin’? wardrobe from Wal-Mart
Dare you say somethin’ about it, joke if you get smart
Full of rage, he conspire to get paid
Thinkin’ if he up is status maybe that will be a way
Ah, he see death all around him
Put a boxcutter on the last person [who] tried to clown him
‘Cause money gets you power, power get respect
He ain’t felt high, neither one of them felt yet
See that’s the mind frame we were sent here to change
Instead of bickering on the boards, get on your job man
So till they put us all in the tomb
Let’s get some megaphones and yell out the truth, screamin’ like .
[Hook]
[Verse 3]
Excuse me, can I prescribe a remedy
That easily will set you free? Christ died for you and me
So if I was you I would turn
‘Cause one day the sky’ll crack and the judge will return
And when I say “turn” I don’t mean just to attend church
But count everything as loss and look to Christ for self-worth
Your money, guap, cheese, queso
Use it to his glory, don’t move unless he say so
Cars, job, shoes, clothes
Make it all secondary in pursuit of the Lord
Commune with a group of people that’s doin’ the same thang
‘Cause it’s the body of Christ, it’s what we use to make change
I don’t grind ‘cause I’m free, I grind ‘cause I believe
And it’s a me and other people that’s doin’ the same thing
We hold to the same dream to see Christ crucified
And marvel at his greatness, see you on the other side
In Pro's song "Aye You," the artist delivers a message regarding the importance of seeking a higher power, specifically God, and not losing oneself in the materialistic obsessions of this world. The hook is a plea for the listener to evaluate their mortality and to question what they are doing to secure eternal life. Pro emphasizes that the cross is the ultimate defibrillator and that calling out to God should be done in the present rather than waiting to be on one's deathbed.
In the first verse, Pro describes the reality of gun violence and how it perpetuates the cycle of poverty and pain within the vulnerable communities. He reminds listeners that pursuing money and material items will not save them from death, but rather, seeking the truth and surrendering to God's guidance will allow them to appreciate their existence in the present moment. In the following verse, Pro describes the frustrations of living in poverty and highlights the importance of hard work, self-reflection and the communal benefit of support inside and outside of the church.
The third verse is a call to action, urging listeners to not only seek God but to also turn their lives towards Christ and his teachings. Pro emphasizes the need to detach from worldly possessions and focus on building relationships with other believers that share the same values in order to create a meaningful and impactful change within the world. The song "Aye You" is a motivational anthem urging people to seek the greater good in themselves, the people around them, and the world.
Line by Line Meaning
AYE YOU!
The singer calls out to the listener, trying to get their attention
I see you riding by so fly
The singer sees the listener looking good as they pass by
Tell me what you gon’ do when you die?
The singer asks the listener what their plans are for the afterlife
I’m screamin’ at ‘em like AYE
The artist is trying to get the attention of the listener and others
So if you wanna know about life
The artist offers to share their perspective on life
I can point you to the one who gave me mine
The singer attributes their life to a higher power and is willing to share more about it
Holla at me like AYE
The singer invites the listener to reach out to them for more information
Now lemme chop it up wit’chu
The artist wants to have a conversation with the listener
They paint life so many ways to help you get a clear picture
The artist acknowledges that people have different perspectives on life
This hot metal’ll fly out the barrell and still split you
The artist is warning the listener about the danger of guns
You still tryna drink from a broken water pitcher
The singer believes that the listener is trying to thrive with limited resources
But why the hood killin’ folk and we still won’t learn?
The artist questions the community's tendency to resort to violence
Turn money to a god ‘cause our homes are the altar
The singer observes that people worship money instead of a higher power
But it only lead to death, I suggest that we alter
The singer advises the listener to change their outlook on life and avoid materialism
What we put our faith in when life start to cave in
The singer is asking the listener what they turn to when life gets tough
Then we wanna run to God like we need savin’
The artist believes that people only turn to God in times of crisis
What about now? Just ‘cause you ain’t on your death bed
The artist reminds the listener that they should focus on their faith even when things are going well
Don’t mean that you done found life, you already dead
The singer believes that without faith, one is not truly experiencing life
But the cross is the defibrillator
The singer sees the cross as a way to revive the soul
Shock your heart man, help you focus on the Savior
The artist believes that focusing on God will give clarity and direction in life
Homie in the bed with his head on his pillow
The artist introduces a character who is struggling with poverty
Lookin’ at the ceiling wondering how to make a killin’
The artist is describing the character's desire for financial success
‘Cause there’s roaches in the living room
The singer describes the character's living conditions, which are not good
No food to consume and papa drinkin’ to his doom
The artist is painting a bleak picture of the character's living situation
Mama workin’? wardrobe from Wal-Mart
The singer is commenting on the mother's limited resources
Dare you say somethin’ about it, joke if you get smart
The singer is warning the listener not to make fun of others' situations
Full of rage, he conspire to get paid
The singer is describing the character's anger and desire for financial success
Thinkin’ if he up is status maybe that will be a way
The artist is commenting on the character's belief that financial success equals happiness
Ah, he see death all around him
The artist sees the character as being surrounded by danger
Put a boxcutter on the last person [who] tried to clown him
The singer is describing the character's violent tendencies
‘Cause money gets you power, power get respect
The singer comments on the character's belief that money equals power and respect
He ain’t felt high, neither one of them felt yet
The artist believes that neither financial success nor power will bring true happiness
See that’s the mind frame we were sent here to change
The artist believes that their purpose is to change people's outlook on life
Instead of bickering on the boards, get on your job man
The artist is calling for action instead of idle talk
So till they put us all in the tomb
The singer believes that they need to spread their message until they die
Let’s get some megaphones and yell out the truth, screamin’ like .
The artist wants to spread their message loudly and clearly
Excuse me, can I prescribe a remedy
The singer is introducing a new idea or solution
That easily will set you free? Christ died for you and me
The singer believes that faith in Christianity will bring freedom
So if I was you I would turn
The singer is urging the listener to embrace Christianity
‘Cause one day the sky’ll crack and the judge will return
The artist is describing the final judgment in Christianity
And when I say “turn” I don’t mean just to attend church
The artist is emphasizing that turning to Christianity requires more than just attending church
But count everything as loss and look to Christ for self-worth
The singer believes that true self-worth comes from faith in Christianity
Your money, guap, cheese, queso
The singer is referencing slang terms for money
Use it to his glory, don’t move unless he say so
The artist believes that money should be used for God's glory
Cars, job, shoes, clothes
The artist lists material possessions
Make it all secondary in pursuit of the Lord
The artist believes that faith should always come first
Commune with a group of people that’s doin’ the same thang
The singer believes that it's important to surround oneself with like-minded individuals
‘Cause it’s the body of Christ, it’s what we use to make change
The artist believes that the community of Christians is capable of making a positive impact
I don’t grind ‘cause I’m free, I grind ‘cause I believe
The singer believes that their drive comes from their faith, not their individual success
And it’s a me and other people that’s doin’ the same thing
The singer believes that there are others who share their beliefs and values
We hold to the same dream to see Christ crucified
The singer shares a common goal with other Christians
And marvel at his greatness, see you on the other side
The artist is expressing their admiration for God and hopes to meet the listener in the afterlife
Contributed by Alexis F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.