Raised in Cali, communicating a message as an artist … Read Full Bio ↴The Sho Story:
Raised in Cali, communicating a message as an artist has always been a part of who Sho is. Introduced to Hip Hop at a young age, he grew to love its content and attitude. Living in Southern California during the height of Gangsta Rap presented its challenges to many youth, as well as Sho. In high school Sho and some friends from his neighborhood formed a rap group that began touring with major recording artists. But his life took a different turn after the rap group fizzled, and close friends were killed and others incarcerated due to the gang life they led. The message of his life began to change.
He decided to heed his father's advice and apply to college, pursuing education instead of the streets. At the time, Christ was not a part of his life, but his older brother, his father, and a leader at his church, had always promoted education and having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Sho continued on to Tuskegee University, and it was there, that the seeds that they planted in him finally took root.
While in college, through the lives of some solid Christians on campus, the Lord rescued him and redeemed his heart. Sho's message changed from promoting himself and Hip Hop to promoting Christ, and now he wants the world to see the Lord at work in him. Our popular culture today elevates the lifestyles of rappers who promote ideas that only destroy our culture, but because of God's grace Sho has a different message: "Turn My Life Up"
What if the Programmed Culture could see the change Christ made in him and be transformed by God's Grace to impact lives and revolutionize our world? Not desiring fame or personal glory, Sho invites you to listen to his message and see how God can "Rebuild the Culture"
Chapter 10: Peter Pan
Sho Baraka Lyrics
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It's the illin' empire, mid 90s
I'm close to a cypher, it ain't hard to find me
Kids claimin' they freestylin' but they just reciting lines
Especially this Snoop Dogg wanna-be beside me
On a normal Tuesday, I'm walking down the block
I heard a song from a truck that made my body stop
I'm like that ain't Pac, that ain't Big, that ain't Nas
Yeah... it got me pickin' up the phone callin' the homies at home like
Have you heard this song it went "you got money, get ya hands in the air"
Oh snap he on rap city now with Joe Clair
Boy was dope like a breath of fresh air
When he told a story, I felt like I was right there
I asked pop for ten bucks, he's like boy that's nonsense
I don't work hard to buy you explicit content
I'm kinda scared to go to the store and steal it though
You know a brother broke so I just dub it from the radio
But the homie came through the next night
With a album that became the soundtrack of my life
[Hook]
Yesterday I fell in love, yesterday I...
Tomorrow came I've had enough
We want that real hip hop, that real hip hop
We want that real hip hop, that real hip hop
We want that real hip hop, that real hip hop
Everybody make noise for that real hip hop
[Verse 2]
I'm a little older, I'm in college now (yeah)
And you know my favorite artist still holdin' it down
Any time we argue best rappers alive
He's easily number 1 in my top 5
The more I steal his style I feel credibility
Cuz every college dude just wants an identity
If he's describing his life, well that's how I act
If he has an opinion where I don't then insert that
But now insert the Lord (I'm changed now)
Because I have different views I find myself even caring about stuff on the news
My heart aches, with these current affairs is harder to enjoy
"You got money, get ya hands in the air"
The more I listen the more I feel a mental battle
I recognize that his worldview is really shallow (dang)
His lexicon is money sex and cars, that's all we get
He kills on records then he says it's entertainment really quick
That's pretty dangerous when you break it down
Plus I notice even his music has the same sound
It's not much depth to his content and art
Me and my favorite artist are now growin' apart, dang
[Hook]
Yesterday I fell in love, yesterday I...
Tomorrow came I've had enough
We want that real hip hop, that real hip hop
We want that real hip hop, that real hip hop
We want that real hip hop, that real hip hop
Everybody make noise for that real hip hop
[Verse 3]
Now I'm a grown man with new burdens to bear
And this dude still rappin' about "you got money, get ya hands in the air"
Friend get outta here with that mess
There's a million other things that you can address
This cat is close to 40 and he's still thuggin'
Well at least that's the perception that he gives in public
I mean I enjoy life like the next brother
But it seems he ain't growin' up with the rest of us (come on man)
Sometimes I just wanna know the truth about who's copyin' who
Cuz instead of reachin' 'em I think he'd rather be the youth
I wouldn't trip but this is more than just a trend
Cuz this music and its brand promotes irresponsible men
Cuz they never had a father who could walk 'em through the content
Teachin' them the skill to discern all of the nonsense
They need extended adolescence so they can blow up
Hip-hop you're close to 50, when can we grow up?
[Hook]
Yesterday I fell in love, yesterday I...
Tomorrow came I've had enough
We want that real hip hop, that real hip hop
We want that real hip hop, that real hip hop
We want that real hip hop, that real hip hop
Everybody make noise for that real hip hop
In Sho Baraka's "Chapter 10: Peter Pan," the rapper reminisces on the evolution of hip hop from the mid-90s to the present day. He starts with a story from his childhood, where he discovered a new artist through a song blasting from a truck. The artist, though unknown at the time, soon became a staple for Baraka and his friends. However, as he grew older and entered college, he noticed the lack of depth in the rapper's lyrics, which primarily focused on money, sex, and cars. Baraka criticized the artist for not growing up with his audience and not using his platform to address more significant issues.
Throughout the song, Baraka stresses the importance of "real hip hop" that has substance and tackles important topics. He laments at the current state of the genre, where many rappers prioritize catchy hooks and commercial success over delivering meaningful messages to their listeners. Baraka also touches on the damaging effects that this type of music can have on young listeners, perpetuating a cycle of irresponsibility and immaturity.
Overall, "Chapter 10: Peter Pan" is an insightful commentary on the direction of hip hop and the responsibility that artists have to their fans and communities.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the illin' empire, mid 90s
The 90s were a time of influential hip-hop music.
I'm close to a cypher, it ain't hard to find me
I'm near a rap freestyle battle.
Kids claimin' they freestylin' but they just reciting lines
Many kids claim to be freestyling but they're just repeating things they've memorized.
Especially this Snoop Dogg wanna-be beside me
This person next to me is trying to copy Snoop Dogg's style.
I heard a song from a truck that made my body stop
I heard a song that made me stop and pay attention.
I'm like that ain't Pac, that ain't Big, that ain't Nas
I know it's not any of the most famous rappers.
I gotta figure out who this is
I need to find out who made this song.
It's not much depth to his content and art
The rapper has no real depth to his music.
Me and my favorite artist are now growin' apart, dang
My favorite rapper's music isn't as important to me anymore.
There's a million other things that you can address
Rappers should address a wider range of topics in their music.
Hip-hop you're close to 50, when can we grow up?
Hip-hop culture needs to mature and evolve.
Contributed by Aria A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.