Amisho Baraka Lewis (born January 10, 1979), better known by his stage name Sho Baraka, is an American Christian hip-hop artist and writer who has recorded both independently and as a founding member of the 116 Clique. He was originally signed to Reach Records until leaving in March 2011. He then co-founded a record label and group known as "High Society" with fellow Christian rappers JR, Swoope, and Suzy Rock. His debut album '' Turn My Life Up'' was released in November 2007. His second album ''Lions and Liars'', was released March 2010. His third album '' Talented Xth'' was released in January 2013. His fourth album, ''The Narrative,'' was released in October 2016.

Biography

Sho Baraka was born Amisho Baraka Lewis in

Alberta Alberta is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province in Canada. It is a part of Western Canada and is one of the three Canadian Prairies, prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to its west, Saskatchewan to its east, t ...

, Canada on January 10, 1979. Sho was introduced to hip hop at a young age. He was raised in Southern California during the height of

gangsta rap Gangsta rap or gangster rap, initially called reality rap, is a subgenre of rap music that conveys the culture, values, and experiences of urban gangs and street hustlers, frequently discussing unpleasant realities of the world in general th ...

which inspired Sho and some friends from his neighborhood in high school, formed a rap group that began touring with major recording artists. The rap group soon ended and many of Sho's close friends were killed or incarcerated. He decided to follow his father's advice and attend college, getting accepted into

Tuskegee University Tuskegee University (Tuskegee or TU; formerly known as the Tuskegee Institute) is a private, historically black land-grant university in Tuskegee, Alabama, United States. It was founded as a normal school for teachers on July 4, 1881, by the ...

. There he came into contact with

Lecrae Lecrae Devaughn Moore (born October 9, 1979) is an American Christian rapper, singer-songwriter, actor, and Record producer, recording producer and Music executive, executive. Since having begun his career in 2004, he has released ten studio alb ...

and

Tedashii Tedashii Lavoy Anderson (born March 8, 1977), known simply as Tedashii, is an American Christian hip hop artist and member of the hip-hop troupe 116 Clique. He also hosted the NGEN Radio show "Serium". Tedashii has released five solo albums, ' ...

and eventually the 116 Clique and Reach Records were formed. While attending Tuskegee, Sho converted to Christianity.

Leaving Reach Records and new website

On April 13, 2011,

Rapzilla Rapzilla is a Christian hip hop online magazine. The website contains recent news, albums reviews, articles, interviews, music downloads, videos, release dates, and columns. History Rapzilla was founded in 2003 by Philip Rood, who was the chi ...

posted a blog from Sho stating that he planned to leave Reach Records after four years and two albums with the label. Although he is leaving the Reach label, Sho said he would continue to be an artist with Reach booking and continue to do concert dates and events with the label through 2011. He would also be featured on Reach projects released through the year. Sho is now a part of the music & art group High Society with Swoope, J.R., & Suzy Rock. Lewis announced that he would release a new album, ''Talented Xth'', on January 1, 2013. On June 14, 2016, he signed with Christian hip-hop label, Humble Beast.

Cameos

Sho can be spotted as Trip Lee's fictional boss in the video for Lee's song ''The Invasion (hero)'' off the album ''Between Two Worlds''. Sho was in the music video for

's lead single, "Don't Waste Your Life" from his 2008 album, '' Rebel'', as a former gang member of Lecrae's who escaped arrest years before. Lecrae portrayed a converted Christian, writing to Sho's character about how God had changed his life.

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

* "Word" (featuring Charisse Beaumont) * "We Can Be More" (featuring J.R.) * "Maranatha" * "Their Eyes Were Watching" * "After the Funeral" * "Real Ones Winning" (featuring Avila)

Guest appearances

*"WLAK" ( Swoope featuring Alex Faith &

Christon Gray Christon Michael Gray (born 18 July 1986) is an American R&B singer and rapper born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. He calls his music "about being human." It is this approach that has allowed him a successful transition from Christian music to m ...

) *"The Church" (

) *"In Ya Hood (Cypha Remix)" (

featuring Trip Lee,

, Thi'sl & Json) *"It's Your World" (Lecrae featuring Redeemed Thought) *"His Love Won't Let You Down" (Dillon Chase featuring Keynon Akers) *"Back Up" (Cam featuring Tedashii) *"Come Close" (Trip Lee featuring

FLAME A flame () is the visible, gaseous part of a fire. It is caused by a highly exothermic chemical reaction made in a thin zone. When flames are hot enough to have ionized gaseous components of sufficient density, they are then considered plasm ...

) *"Live Free" (Lecrae featuring Jai) *"Glorious" (DJ Morphiziz) *"Community" (Tedashii featuring Stephen the Levite) *"Eyes Open (Remix)" (DJ Official featuring Trip Lee) *"Chaos" (DJ Official) *"No No No" (R-Swift featuring Jahaziel & Monty G) *"Feel So Alone" (Benjah featuring Conviction & Ms. Lulu) *"Back To School" (S.O.) *"I Love Music" (Trip Lee) *"High" (Lecrae featuring Suzy Rock) *"Fools Gold" ( Andy Mineo featuring Sho Baraka and Swoope) *"This is the Life" (Tedashii featuring L2) *"Brilliant Realness" (theBREAX) *"Don't Mean Much" ( KB featuring Mitch Parks from After Edmund) *"Power Trip" (Lecrae featuring

PRo Pro is an abbreviation meaning "professional". Pro, PRO or variants thereof might also refer to: People * Miguel Pro (1891–1927), Mexican priest * Pro Hart (1928–2006), Australian painter * Mlungisi Mdluli (born 1980), South African ret ...

and Andy Mineo) *"Cynical" (

Propaganda Propaganda is communication that is primarily used to influence or persuade an audience to further an agenda, which may not be objective and may be selectively presenting facts to encourage a particular synthesis or perception, or using loaded l ...

featuring Aaron Marsh)

With the 116 Clique

* ''116 Clique: The Compilation Album'' (2005) * ''116 Clique: The Compilation Album: Special Edition: Chopped & Screwed'' By DJ Primo (2006) * ''13 Letters'' (2007) * '' Amped'' (2007) * ''Man up'' (2011)

With High Society

* ''Circa MMXI: The Collective'' (2012)

With JAMM as Hello Revolution

* ''Protest Package 1'' EP (2012)

Mixtapes

* ''Barakaology'' (2009; free download) * ''We Can Be More Remixes'' mixtape (2010)

Filmography

Videography

*2006 – 116 Clique – "116 Clique Video"

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baraka, Sho 1979 births Living people 20th-century African-American musicians 21st-century African-American writers 21st-century American poets 21st-century American rappers 21st-century evangelicals African-American Christians African-American poets Canadian rappers African-American rappers American evangelicals American performers of Christian hip-hop Canadian emigrants to the United States Cross Movement Records Reach Records artists Rappers from California Tuskegee University alumni West Coast hip-hop musicians