Empire (Derek Minor album)

Empire
Studio album by Derek Minor
Released January 27, 2015 (2015-01-27)
Recorded 2014
Genre Christian hip hop
Label Reflection, eOne
Derek Minor chronology
Minorville
(2013)		 Empire
(2015)		 1014
(2016)

Empire is the fifth studio album by American Christian hip hop artist Derek Minor, released on January 27, 2015.[1] It was released through RMG and Entertainment One.

Album concept

Derek Minor explained that the concept of the album addresses how people build their own empires vs. the empire of God.[2]

Reception

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number 54 on the Billboard 200 with first week sales of approximately 11,000 copies.[3][4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[5]
CCM Magazine[6]
Cross Rhythms[7]
HipHopDX[8]
Indie Vision Music[9]
Jesus Freak Hideout[10]
New Release Tuesday[11]

Kevin Hoskins from Jesus Freak Hideout gave the album a 4.5 out of 5, saying "the beats are amazing, the rapping flows wonderfully, and there's an abundance of great guest spots. All rap fans need to grab this album as it has the potential to be the best hip hop album in what is gearing up to be a great year for hip hop music."[10] Ronald Grant of HipHopDX rated the album a 3.5 out of 5, describing it as a "bold body of with Derek Minor applying message to a form that can appear nihilistic."[8] Mark Ryan awarded the album 4.5 out of 5, claiming it is a "truly provoking and, as has become expected, the quality is top notch."[11] Anthony Peronto from Indie Vision Music assigned the album a 4 out of 5, declaring it as "a powerful statement on kingdom-building and has raised the bar for what could be a fantastic year for music."[9] Grace S. Aspinwall from CCM Magazine gave the album 3 out of 5, writing "Overall, Empire is a promising preview-with his superior songwriting and performance, we expect to hear much more from Derek Minor in the years to come."[6] Thom Jurek from AllMusic gave the album a 3.5 out of 5 also saying "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."[5] Steve Hayes from Cross Rhythms gave the album a 9 out of ten describing, "'Empire' is a search for meaning and grace amid the false gods and temptations of a fallen world."[7]

Track list

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Intro" (feat. Danika Hawkins- uncredited)Derek Johnson, Chris MackeyDerek Minor, Dirty Rice 2:12
2. "All Hail the King" (feat. Deraj & nobigdyl)D. Johnson, Jared Wells, Dylan PhillipsDerek Minor 3:42
3. "Empire" (feat. Traneisha "Truth" Chiles)D. Johnson, Traneisha Chiles, Brandon PeavyDerek Minor, Black Knight Creationz 3:11
4. "Who You Know"  D. Johnson, C. MackeyDirty Rice 4:14
5. "Babel 1" ((feat. Rachel Kate- uncredited))D. Johnson, Rachel Kate, Jon Hicks, Mel WashingtonJonny Grande 3:05
6. "Kingdom Come" (voiceover by Camille Faulkner (uncredited))D. Johnson, Brad Cooper, Anthony Markeith ReidAnthony AntMan Wonder Reid 3:27
7. "Slow Down" (feat. Tony Tillman & Tedashii)D. Johnson, Tony Frazier, Tedashii Anderson, C. Mackey, Tyshane ThompsonDirty Rice, Tyshane 3:49
8. "Stranger" (feat. Roz (with Camille Faulkner, uncredited))D. Johnson, Roslyn Welch, C. MackeyDirty Rice, Derek Minor, 4:45
9. "Last Forever" (feat. B. Cooper & Leah Smith)D. Johnson, B. Cooper, Krishon Gaines, C. MackeyDirty Rice, Derek Minor, Bandplay 3:48
10. "Save Me" (feat. J. Paul)D. Johnson, George RamirezG Roc for Beat Mechanicz 3:45
11. "Babel 2" ((feat. Roz- uncredited))D. Johnson, C. Mackey, Roslyn WelchDirty Rice, Derek Minor 1:57
12. "Fly" (feat. Colton Dixon (with Mel Washington- uncredited))D. Johnson, Colton Dixon, Jon HicksJonny Grande 3:42
13. "Oceans" (feat. Move Aside (with Greag Breal & Stephanie Lauren- uncredited))D. Johnson, Jon Hicks, Justin PaulJonny Grande 3:35
14. "Right By My Side" (feat. Chad Jones & Anthony Evans Jr. (with J. Paul, uncredited))D. Johnson, Chad Jones, Gabriel AzucenaGawvi 3:47
15. "Party People" (feat. Social Club (with Camille Faulkner- uncredited))D. Johnson, Martin Santiago, Fernando Miranda, Justin ScruggsSyksense, Derek Minor, Johnny Grande 3:58
16. "Until the End of Time" (feat. Lecrae & Canon)D. Johnson, Lecrae Moore, Aaron McCain, C. MackeyDirty Rice, Derek Minor 5:19

References

  1. ↑ http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.32272/title.derek-minor-empire-release-date-cover-art-album-stream
  2. ↑ Roman Flores. "Video: Derek Minor Reveals New Album 'Empire'". Rapzilla.
  3. ↑ http://www.rapzilla.com/rz/news/38-backstage/10021-derek-minor-s-empire-sells-10-584-units-in-first-week
  4. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200?mobile_redirection=false
  5. 1 2 Jurek, Thom. "Derek Minor: Empire". Allmusic. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  6. 1 2 Aspinwall, Grace S. "Derek Minor: Empire". CCM Magazine. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  7. 1 2 Hayes, Steve (November 7, 2015). "Review: Empire – Derek Minor". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  8. 1 2 "HipHopDX: Derek Minor, "Empire" Review".
  9. 1 2 "Derek Minor - Empire Reviews".
  10. 1 2 "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Derek Minor, "Empire" Review".
  11. 1 2 "Empire by Derek Christian CD Book Reviews".
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