Derek Minor

Your Soul Must Fly

Derek Minor has been running his own label (Reflection Music Group) since he left Reach Records in 2014, and, while under his watch, he has brought up some great artists at the same time. He’s also released several successful albums since that departure, and, if the rest of 2017 and early 2018 have anything to say about it, we’ll have a lot more music to come.

The first planned EP in a series of four, Your Soul Must Fly features nearly all bangers alongside a bunch of collaborations, featuring artists from his Reflection Music Group (RMG) imprint and Reach Records. The seven tracks on YSMF are clearly packaged well together, and Minor has gone on record to say each EP will have similar themes. Minor has said that while the EPs will be collections of similar subject matter, they’ll be different vibes, so it’s clear that this first volume will be the majority of the bigger crowd pleasers.

While “Launch Pad” is a short track to kick off the EP, it doesn’t feel like it truly kicks into gear until the opening beats of “Take Off,” featuring Canon, KB, and Ty Brasel. “Astronaut” is a bass heavy cut, classic for Derek Minor, with a slow yet hard-hitting beat, and features fellow RMG artist Deraj. “Anti-Gravity” might be one of the more personal tracks here, with Minor rapping some of his most recent prayers and giving another glimpse into his heart. “Jumpin” may remind many of “Jumpman” by Drake, while the eponymous tack is smoother in its delivery and gives Minor a more R&B flavor, talking through the struggles he sees on a daily basis.

One of the best things about Derek Minor and his music is that he wears his heart on his sleeve. Even though he loves to release music, he doesn’t do it unless he gives it everything he’s got. It’s a tough wire to walk, putting out the music but still being vulnerable, allowing him to connect with his listeners. It allows him to grow an audience that is just as true as he is.