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 2: Michael
Sho Baraka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm mourning the death of a Michael
Not Jackson, but one missin' in action
One who was shot over some fashion
Who lost hope when his dad split
Who caught AIDS from a self-proclaimed bad b*tch (watch yo mouth homie)
My culture's goin' down, gather around, my culture's goin' down
Watch it burn baby burn, my culture's goin' down
Let's start the revolution while we're still young
Industry hype well this is the real in for some
Off the wall moonwalk no need for a drug
I've been bad I'm just tryin' to find my other glove (yo talk to 'em)
And play catch with the widow's son
He tryin' to ball, I'm tryin' to tell him to own a club
Young boy got himself a little lady bug
They call em B's in the street, he's tryin' at catch a buzz
My hood needs more fathers and less bachelors
Introduce 'em to the Father - no more bastards
Introduce 'em to manhood, let's see what that does
If he's tryina reach the stars I'll call NASA (you better preach homie)
But I'm no pastor - runaway slave who has now turned rapper
College educated but no need for a master's
Fall in love with this sound baby and we'll catch ya
Hah, man Sho who are you dog? You come around here like this a zoo dog?
You look the part, but what's really hood?
We don't see you 'round here but ya talk is good
On and on I know life goes
I'm mourning the death of a Michael
Not Jackson, but one missin' in action
One who was shot over some fashion
Who lost hope when his dad split
Who caught AIDS from a self-proclaimed bad b*tch (watch yo mouth homie)
My culture's goin' down, gather around, my culture's goin' down
Watch it burn baby burn my, culture's goin' down
Watch it burn baby burn my, culture's goin' down
They may have heard about God but they think why bother
They heard Hail Mary's but never knew our Fathers
Have they heard of the love of Christ?
Is heaven so far that it's out of sight? (what's up dog?)
A son starts to cry, his father's found dead and I don't know why
I can't really look him in his eyes
It's hard to explain why his father really died (yo cuz we gotta go)
Maybe pride, maybe lies, maybe over a girl who belonged to another guy
She's a proud video vixen
She ain't got jelly, she the whole dang kitchen
Young boy's addicted, yeah them boys itchin'
Old men hooked with a look got em fishin' (man, shorty bad)
She promised me a hell of a night
All I can think to myself is how Lucifer write
Brothers in the club throwin' you some bucks
How about these same brothers throwin' you some trust?
Baby girl you mistake your own value
You're only worth the value of the idol you bow down to
On and on I know life goes
I'm mourning the death of a Michael
Not Jackson, but one missin in action
One who was shot over some fashion
Who lost hope when his dad split
Who caught AIDS from a self-proclaimed bad, bad
My culture's goin' down, gather around, my culture's goin' down
Gather around, my culture's goin' down
Gather around, my culture's goin' down
Minute after minute
Hour after hour
Day after day we be lustin' for that power
Politicians and thugs, intellectuals and cowards
Will do anything to get their hands on some power
I gotta get that power
Gimme some of that power
Need some of that power
Can't live without that power
I gotta get that power
Gimme some of that power
Need some of that power
Can't live without that power
In "Chapter 2: Michael", Sho Baraka addresses the loss and decline of his culture. The song begins with the mourning of a Michael who was not Michael Jackson, but rather someone who was shot over fashion and lost hope due to familial issues. Sho highlights the current state of his culture, emphasizing that it is going down and burning. He calls for a revolution, particularly among the youth, to rise up against the industry hype and embrace reality. Sho suggests that there is no need for drugs or any other false influencers to thrive, and encourages the younger generation to own clubs rather than merely becoming bachelors. He deems it important to introduce manhood and fatherhood, as well as to bring people to God, and to focus on the things that matter, such as love, righteousness, and values. The song ends with a reflection of the overwhelming need for power that is shared by many individuals throughout society.
Line by Line Meaning
On and on I know life goes
Life is ongoing and ever-changing
I'm mourning the death of a Michael
I am grieving for a person named Michael who has passed away
Not Jackson, but one missin' in action
This Michael is not the famous musician, but someone who is missing and unaccounted for
One who was shot over some fashion
This Michael was killed due to a dispute over appearance or clothing
Who lost hope when his dad split
Michael's father leaving caused him to feel hopeless
Who caught AIDS from a self-proclaimed bad b*tch (watch yo mouth homie)
Michael contracted AIDS from a promiscuous woman who called herself a bad person
My culture's goin' down, gather around, my culture's goin' down
Watch it burn baby burn, my culture's goin' down
Watch it burn baby burn, my culture's goin' down
The singer feels that their culture is declining and falling apart
Let's start the revolution while we're still young
The artist wants to initiate change and revolution while they are still young
Industry hype well this is the real in for some
The music industry can be deceptive, but some people do experience genuine success
Off the wall moonwalk no need for a drug
One can perform like Michael Jackson without the use of drugs
I've been bad I'm just tryin' to find my other glove (yo talk to 'em)
The singer is referencing Michael Jackson's famous glove and admitting their own faults
And play catch with the widow's son
The artist is spending time with a young boy whose father has passed away
He tryin' to ball, I'm tryin' to tell him to own a club
The young boy wants to play basketball, but the singer is suggesting that he focus on ownership and business instead
Young boy got himself a little lady bug
They call em B's in the street, he's tryin' at catch a buzz
The young boy has a girlfriend and is trying to gain popularity or status in the street
My hood needs more fathers and less bachelors
Introduce 'em to the Father - no more bastards
Introduce 'em to manhood, let's see what that does
If he's tryina reach the stars I'll call NASA (you better preach homie)
But I'm no pastor - runaway slave who has now turned rapper
College educated but no need for a master's
Fall in love with this sound baby and we'll catch ya
The singer believes that their community needs more male role models and mentorship in Christian values. Despite their own education and success, they are still connected to their community and roots.
Hah, man Sho who are you dog? You come around here like this a zoo dog?
You look the part, but what's really hood?
We don't see you 'round here but ya talk is good
The artist is being questioned about their authenticity and connection to the culture they are addressing
They may have heard about God but they think why bother
They heard Hail Mary's but never knew our Fathers
Have they heard of the love of Christ?
Is heaven so far that it's out of sight? (what's up dog?)
A son starts to cry, his father's found dead and I don't know why
I can't really look him in his eyes
It's hard to explain why his father really died (yo cuz we gotta go)
Maybe pride, maybe lies, maybe over a girl who belonged to another guy
The artist is describing the disconnect between people's knowledge of religion and their daily lives. They also recount a tragic incident involving a father's sudden death
She's a proud video vixen
She ain't got jelly, she the whole dang kitchen
Young boy's addicted, yeah them boys itchin'
Old men hooked with a look got em fishin' (man, shorty bad)
She promised me a hell of a night
All I can think to myself is how Lucifer write
Brothers in the club throwin' you some bucks
How about these same brothers throwin' you some trust?
Baby girl you mistake your own value
You're only worth the value of the idol you bow down to
The singer is criticizing the objectification of women and the negative impact it has on men and society. They also call on people to recognize their own self-worth.
Minute after minute
Hour after hour
Day after day we be lustin' for that power
Politicians and thugs, intellectuals and cowards
Will do anything to get their hands on some power
I gotta get that power
Gimme some of that power
Need some of that power
Can't live without that power
I gotta get that power
Gimme some of that power
Need some of that power
Can't live without that power
The singer is highlighting the universal desire for power and the lengths that people will go to attain it.
Contributed by Tyler R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.