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.
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Pro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well let’s build
Yeah yeah look
Turn this shit up make sure that you is hearing this
I am so serious
Styles like I'm Furious
Dab out the rig guaranteed I am clearing this
These rappers pussy
Old school assassin I'm jumping off pyramids
Under control no curse that is imperius
Championship belt stack all your wealth
Trust in yourself learned that shit from experience
Wait they wanna have and still eat all the cake
I got a habit of exposing the fake
Last night I dreamt it was me in a Wraith
Woke reality hit me in the face
My baby crying back to the grind
I still got them bills due
They think mental illness is real cool
Depression that shit it'll kill you
Progression I'll teach you a lesson
Don't let no nigga no bitch have you stressing
Before the gun case
Carried Smith and the Wesson
I sold the molly back during the recession
These niggas capping
Keep that shit stashed in the cabinet
You want it go see it go grab it
Work on your tactics
First memory that I had
Is my dad laying dead in the casket
Yeah life is fantastic I'm being sarcastic
Go take a shot at the B now we blastin
Took a shot VSOP now I'm dabbin
Just come look at me
You gon see I'm a savage
No manual its gon be automatic
Roll with some Gs
And we be about static
Ring your doorbell
While your baby is napping
Ten toes down put my foot on the gas
And then I go
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Peace
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Live in the moment
Don't rent the game
You should own it
Keep your eyes on your opponent
Always be ready to show the opposition you hungry
Solidify that you still want it
See why you be fronting
Why you be lacking
Get tossed off the boat
If you lie to the captain
Nobody talk but we all know what happened
This aint a game
If it was its all madden
This hall of fame
This how I do it
Repping my gang
All in my music
Lord wheres my head
Sometimes I lose it
Put down my pen
Lost my influence
My homie passed
Found with a pipe and a stash
It's hard to let go of the past
One day ill blow up
Either the music I make
Or the light that I put to the gas
Im talking progression
I'll teach you a lesson
Don't let no nigga no bitch have you stressing
Before the gun case
Carried Smith and the Wesson
I sold the molly back during the recession
These niggas capping
Keep that shit stashed in the cabinet
You want it you see it go grab it
Work on your tactics
First memory that I had
Is my dad laying dead in the casket
Yeah life is fantastic
I'm being sarcastic
Might sound dramatic but lately I've had it
Lock me away in the basement or attic
Smoking on dope I'm a sour d addict
No moms spaghetti I feel like B Rabbit
Beat on his box if I see he want static
Ring your doorbell
While your baby is napping
Ten toes down put my foot on the gas
And then I go
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Peace
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Whole time I'm trying to get it
Let’s go
In this song, Pro is expressing his dedication to working hard and achieving his goals. He talks about the struggles he's faced, including the loss of his father and the pressure to succeed in the music industry. Pro also touches on mental health and the dangers of depression. He encourages listeners to focus on their own progress and not let anyone hold them back. The chorus, "Whole time I'm trying to get it," serves as a mantra for Pro and his listeners to keep pushing forward.
The verse where Pro talks about carrying a Smith and Wesson before a gun case is a reference to his past involvement in the drug trade. He acknowledges his past mistakes but also takes pride in his ability to turn his life around and pursue his passion for music.
Overall, the song has a message of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity. It's a call to action for listeners to work hard and stay true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
So we’re here
We are present and ready to make progress
Well let’s build
Let's work together to create something
Yeah yeah look
Pay attention to what's about to happen
Turn this shit up make sure that you is hearing this
Increase the-volume to listen attentively and understand the message
I am so serious
I am not joking, this is important
Styles like I'm Furious
I rap with intensity and passion similar to rapper Furious Styles
Dab out the rig guaranteed I am clearing this
After smoking marijuana concentrate, I guarantee that I am clearing my mind
These rappers pussy, They probably on periods
These rappers are weak and emotional
Old school assassin I'm jumping off pyramids
I'm a skilled and experienced rapper who can perform difficult maneuvers with ease
Under control no curse that is imperius
I have self-control and don't need to resort to using curses or spells
Championship belt stack all your wealth
Achieving success feels like winning a championship and accumulating wealth
Trust in yourself learned that shit from experience
You can only rely on yourself, and I learned this from past experiences
Wait they wanna have and still eat all the cake
People desire to have everything they want and still keep their wealth
I got a habit of exposing the fake
I'm skilled at revealing fake personalities and revealing the truth
Last night I dreamt it was me in a Wraith
I had a dream where I owned a Rolls-Royce Wraith
Woke reality hit me in the face
I woke up and realized that my dream is not my reality
My baby crying back to the grind
I have to go back to work despite my baby crying
I still got them bills due
I still have bills to pay and responsibilities to meet
They think mental illness is real cool
People think it's trendy to have mental illness
Depression that shit it'll kill you
Depression is dangerous and can lead to suicide
Progression I'll teach you a lesson
I can teach you about progressing in life
Don't let no nigga no bitch have you stressing
Don't let anyone cause you stress or anxiety
Before the gun case, Carried Smith and the Wesson
Before being involved in a gun case, I carried a Smith and Wesson firearm
I sold the molly back during the recession
I sold MDMA (Molly) during the economic recession to make money
These niggas capping
These men are lying or exaggerating
Keep that shit stashed in the cabinet
Store valuable items in a safe and secure place
You want it go see it go grab it
If you want something, take initiative and get it
Work on your tactics
Plan and strategize in order to be successful
First memory that I had, Is my dad laying dead in the casket
My earliest recollection is seeing my deceased father in a casket
Yeah life is fantastic, I'm being sarcastic
Life is not as great as it seems, and I'm using sarcasm to express this
Go take a shot at the B now we blastin
Try to compete with us and we'll retaliate with force
Took a shot VSOP now I'm dabbin
After consuming VSOP cognac, I'm smoking marijuana concentrate
Just come look at me, You gon see I'm a savage
Observe my actions and you'll see that I'm a ruthless competitor
No manual its gon be automatic
I don't need instructions, I instinctually know what to do
Roll with some Gs, And we be about static
I associate with some tough individuals and we have a reputation for violence
Ring your doorbell, While your baby is napping
I'm willing to interrupt your peaceful moments to assert my dominance
Ten toes down put my foot on the gas And then I go
I'm fully committed and focused on achieving my goals
Whole time I'm trying to get it
I'm constantly working towards success
Live in the moment
Enjoy and appreciate the present
Don't rent the game, You should own it
Don't just play at something, become the owner and leader of it
Keep your eyes on your opponent
Stay vigilant and aware of those you compete against
Always be ready to show the opposition you hungry
Be prepared to display your determination and hunger to win
Solidify that you still want it
Make it clear that you are still dedicated to your goals
See why you be fronting, Why you be lacking
Understand why someone is pretending or failing
Get tossed off the boat, If you lie to the captain
If you are dishonest, you will be removed from the situation
Nobody talk but we all know what happened
No one says anything, but everyone is aware of the truth
This aint a game, If it was its all madden
This is serious, not a game, and if it were, I would be the best at it
This hall of fame, This how I do it, Repping my gang, All in my music
I'm achieving great things and making a name for myself through my music and affiliation with my gang
Lord wheres my head, Sometimes I lose it
I lose my focus and clarity of mind at times
Put down my pen, Lost my influence
I lost my ability to inspire or impact others
My homie passed, Found with a pipe and a stash
My friend died from drug use
It's hard to let go of the past
It's difficult to move on from past traumas or losses
One day ill blow up, Either the music I make Or the light that I put to the gas
One day I will become famous, whether it's through my music or by setting something on fire
Im talking progression, I'll teach you a lesson
I'm discussing personal growth and can teach others about this topic
Don't let no nigga no bitch have you stressing
Don't allow anyone, regardless of gender, to cause you worry or anxiety
Before the gun case, Carried Smith and the Wesson
I owned a Smith and Wesson firearm before being involved in a legal case regarding gun possession
I sold the molly back during the recession
I sold MDMA (Molly) during the economic recession to make money
These niggas capping
These individuals are lying or exaggerating
Keep that shit stashed in the cabinet
Secure valuable items in a safe place
You want it you see it go grab it
If you want something, take initiative and get it
Work on your tactics
Plan and strategize in order to be successful
First memory that I had, Is my dad laying dead in the casket
My earliest recollection is seeing my deceased father in a casket
Yeah life is fantastic, I'm being sarcastic
Life is not as great as it seems, and I'm using sarcasm to express this
Might sound dramatic but lately I've had it
I may sound extreme, but I've had enough of certain situations
Lock me away in the basement or attic
I want to be secluded and isolated from everything and everyone
Smoking on dope I'm a sour d addict
I'm addicted to smoking marijuana strain called Sour Diesel
No moms spaghetti I feel like B Rabbit
I don't feel nervous or anxious like Eminem's character in 8 Mile
Beat on his box if I see he want static
I will physically harm someone who wants to start trouble
Ring your doorbell, While your baby is napping
I'm willing to interrupt your peaceful moments to assert my dominance
Ten toes down put my foot on the gas, And then I go
Fully committed to working hard and achieving goals
Whole time I'm trying to get it
I'm constantly working towards success
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Darious Pittman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bassenotezo381
This came in heavy, hard and holy!!!! Let God be true and every man a liar!!!
@marcosflores2447
Ayyyyyyyy 2023!!! 2024!!!! 116!!!! Jesus lives till this day amazeing!!!!
@Johnny_Boi
You guys are on it, 4 videos within a minute
@isaaccalvinndolelire9164
Great Job
@JacobGroz
1.25 is pretty awesome
@titorlfc1987
I am second. ;) you get it. lol