Faith-Driven Heroes on Earth Posted September 19, 2025 By JoshuaGalla_NRT, Staff Reviewer
What You Need to Know On September 19, 2025, Reflection Music Group’s (RMG) Derek Minor and Canon released their collaboration project titled, Vigilante. Described as a “six-year masterpiece representing a beacon of true artistry in a world of disposable sound, the album is substantially more than just music. Vigilante is a cinematic, raw and emotional display of realism capturing the everyday struggles people face. The project embodies human struggles, pain, and suffering transforming such into anthems of hope and resilience. The creative and eclectic soundscape embodies life experiences, culture, and emotional turmoil served as a reminder art still matters and inspiration lies beneath the rubble of daily adventures.
Vigilante features standout singles “Hero,” “Save The Hero,” and “Stand By Me.” Featured artists, while limited, include Alienz Alive’s Aklesso, RMG Amplify’s Brenno, Apollo Records’ Marty, Byron Juane, Greg James, Quinten Coblentz, and B. Stokes. The RMG duo desired the audience to focus on the lyrical content and emotion behind each track as opposed to a long list of cameos.
Both artists have been making music for over 10 years with Minor’s early beginnings in 2008 and Canon’s around 2012. Minor’s last project released was Nobody’s Perfect in 2023 and Canon dropped a collaboration effort with Poetics in 2021. Otherwise, both artists have focused on sync placement geared towards the theme of sports and entertainment.
What It Sounds Like Minor and Canon present a sound monumental in nature – bigger than life itself. Each RMG artist display God as our hero, Savior, Defender, and Protector. The song titles selected provide a glimpse of such like “Bigger Than Me,” “Hero,” “Save the Hero,” “For My Good,” and “Believe.” The dynamic duo molded aspects of faith along the side of the entertainment and film worlds handcrafting a soundtrack for heaven’s battle cries.
Live instrumentation, dynamic soundscapes, window-rattling 808s, guitar riffs, and lyrical longform art all collide for a blockbuster. Complete with climatic and diverse plot changes traveling from anthems into full-blown, worship-driven homages paid to our Creator, emotions travel deep throughout.
“Child of God” feels like internal outpours to our Lord Most High delivered from an individual’s knees in the bedroom. “Bigger Than Me” recognizes the heavenly calling on our lives outside of selfish wants and desires. “Save the Hero” confirms the immediate need for a Savior regardless of our struggles. Although only 10 tracks in length, the project feels complete.
Spiritual/Lyrical Highlights The resounding theme throughout the album is the need for a Savior. Minor and Canon recognize even in our most broken state of emotional mess; a rescue is required. Temporary, worldly resolves do not work long-term hence the need for a heavenly Hero.
On “Child of God,” we hear the affirming words of “we love you just the way you are, you’re enough.” Then on “Believe,” Minor states, “I’m looking past the mistakes that you’ve made and seeing the best in you.” Also, on “For My Good,” listeners hear “…maybe the bible is more than rules to follow but something to show us the way.”
Throughout the project, real-life situations and circumstances are presented focused on resonating deeply with the listener. Several trials, obstacles, and dire circumstances are presented, however, with the assurance of hope and victory.
Best Song On The Record Each track could present a case for top honors as each represent a personal story of their own. However, “Better Than Me” featuring Brenno relates to personal experiences of my own. Knowing we cannot navigate this life alone or without divine faith activated, Minor and Canon tap into heart strings with each bar written. Also, the hook/chorus is crazy catchy and on repeat in my mind. Such serves as a constant reminder that regardless of my circumstance, something bigger than me lives within and guides my daily steps.
Final Word One aspect I admire from each discography over the years from either Minor or Canon is their authenticity. Neither allow boundaries of Pharisee-like influences to restrict their content. They create music for the people aimed at a heart-focused connection and community. It’s always been hope-soaked art drenched in the love of Christ breathed from the actions of his hands, feet and teachings. At times, we must find outlets to meet people where they are, not expecting anyone to run towards us.
Vigilante is a picturesque example of what God is capable of regardless of our circumstances, miscues or bad decisions. The project challenges listeners to step outside of comfort zones (church buildings) and meet people where the needs are the most urgent (communities and forgotten neighborhoods). The project is a blend of what Christians are called to imitate steering away from the fake, the proud, the hypocritical and the judgmental. The world is in need of not only a hero in the form of our Savior but modeled after believers who equip themselves with the tools to provide aid to the lost, the hurt, the afflicted and the wounded. Mostly not from any form of physical ailments, but scars from sanctuaries masked as court rooms.
