Derek Minor

A Dove Award-winning rapper, producer, actor, and label head, Derek Johnson, Jr.—also known as PRo and Derek Minor—emerged as one of Christian rap’s leading figures during the 2010s through chart-topping projects such as Minorville (2013), Reflection (2016), and The Trap (2018). His production work for Lecrae earned two Grammy Awards, while guest appearances on recordings by R.M.G. and 116 Clique further expanded his reach. In 2021 he joined Greg James and Thicc James for the EP I’m Lovely, and in 2023 he delivered the full-length Nobody’s Perfect.

Born Derek Johnson, Jr. in Pontiac, Michigan, he relocated to Tennessee with his mother during childhood. Though distant from his father, a summertime visit sparked his interest in rap when the elder Johnson supplied beats for his early attempts. Johnson later earned a degree in recording industry management from Middle Tennessee State University. Between 2006 and 2008, performing as PRo, he issued several mixtapes and the album Black Out on his own Reflection Music Group imprint; he regards the early-2010 mixtape PSA as his first mature Christian rap statement. That July’s album Redemption climbed to number eight on Billboard’s gospel chart. In August 2011 he followed with the conceptual Dying to Live, which reached number two on the gospel tally while claiming the top spot on the Christian chart.

After adopting the performing name Derek Minor, he unveiled Minorville in September 2013. He has also collaborated with 116 Clique and R.M.G. and supplied beats for Tedashii and J-Son. Following a 2014 signing with Entertainment One Records, he released Empire the next year, which peaked at number 54 on the Billboard 200. In 2016 Minor issued his sixth LP, Reflection, accompanied by the bonus EP 1014 for fans. The single “Fresh Prince” arrived in 2017, and The Trap followed in 2018. Minor returned in 2021 with the track “Clean” and the collaborative EP I’m Lovely alongside Thicc James and Greg James. His eighth studio album, Nobody’s Perfect, surfaced in 2023; featuring Aaron Cole, Ty Brasel, Phillip LaRue, and Jon Keith, the ten-song set centered on healing and overcoming adversity.