Empire is Derek Minor (formely PRo)'s independent debut album on his Reach Records label. While it chronologically follows 2013's smash Minorville on Reach, it's a much more musically and sonically ambitious endeavor. A wide range of collaborators is featured, including Traneshia, Tedashii, Lecrae, Canon, Colton Dixon, Deraj & Nobigdyl, and the producers -- Black Knight, Street Symphony, Gawvi, and Dirty Rice -- are all heavy hitters. The set's "Intro" juxtaposes Eastern Christian plainchant against military chants and ...
Read More
Empire is Derek Minor (formely PRo)'s independent debut album on his Reach Records label. While it chronologically follows 2013's smash Minorville on Reach, it's a much more musically and sonically ambitious endeavor. A wide range of collaborators is featured, including Traneshia, Tedashii, Lecrae, Canon, Colton Dixon, Deraj & Nobigdyl, and the producers -- Black Knight, Street Symphony, Gawvi, and Dirty Rice -- are all heavy hitters. The set's "Intro" juxtaposes Eastern Christian plainchant against military chants and tense, brooding, cinematic soundscapes. On the title track, Minor reveals the continual influence of Kanye West but turns it back on itself. Using the same samples as West's "Power," Minor employs it to an entirely different end: where West boasted about his own prowess, Minor lays all the credit on God. The sound here is simply epic. Beats are created from layered harmonic chants -- male and female -- that could be used in theatrical productions (check "Who You Know") and the effect is ingenious. Minor's message continually reflects notions of political, cultural, and economic "empire" when contrasted with the creator's. The idea is stated over and over again in various guises throughout these tracks; fine examples also lie in "Kingdom Come" and the banging "Slow Down." "Stranger" is one of the set's most powerful cuts. Minor (with excellent vocal help from Roslyn Welch) indicts the Christian church when it judges those trapped in addiction, street life, violence, and the struggle for basic survival. The gorgeous Sephardic violin solo that plays like a lamentation through Welch's repetition of the phrase "Oh, I'm hurting" is deeply moving. "Oceans," with Move Aside, has a lovely Caribbean vibe thanks to its liquid guitars and fat, cruising 4/4. The lyric, however, reflects the longing for deliverance from the grind of everyday life. The spooky electro tinge in "Right by My Side," and its syncopated synth rhythms, belie a lyric that initially seems out of place on this album -- but listen a little closer and it fits the seam perfectly. "The Party People," which could be played on any FM hip-hop station, has terrific production but it's the only place where Minor's lyrics fall short due to clichés used early on. That small misstep aside, Empire is massive: it's creative, expansive, and expertly sequenced. No matter what your spiritual predilection, there is much to enjoy here. Minor is not only a great rapper, but an excellent conceptual thinker. This is CCHH at its best. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi
Read Less
Add this copy of Empire to cart. $7.05, poor condition, Sold by Movie Surplus rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Mobile, AL, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by eOne.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Anderson/Frazier/Jo; Azucena/Johnson/Jon; Chiles/Johnson/Peav; Cooper/Gaines/Johns; Cooper/Johnson; Dixon/Johnson;... Poor. Used-Acceptable, withdrawn library disc(s) with liner notes. Disc(s) should play great without any playback issues. Disc(s) & liner notes may contain typical library markings like stickers, protective label covers, & writing. Discs may be repackaged in library style casing. Back artwork & any other promo material not included.
Add this copy of Derek Minor / Empire (New Cd) to cart. $17.95, new condition, Sold by 86 Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Maplewood, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by Ent. One Music.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Size: 5x5x0; brand new in original shrinkwrap; because we care that your order arrives in the condition stated, we have additionally sealed the case in bubblewrap for added protection during shipment.
Portions of content provided by Rovi Corporation. © 2024 Rovi Corporation.