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"
Get Wise
Sho Baraka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All these poets wanna complain about the world but ain't nobody changing it/
I'm sitting in this class
All students want to argue about change man but ain't nobody doing it/
I'm sitting in this church
The preacher man is teaching about a new life but ain't nobody living it/
(ain't nobody living it)
I'm at this open mic
I'm sitting in this class
All students want to argue about change man but ain't nobody doing it/
I'm sitting in this church
The preacher man is teaching about a new life but ain't nobody living it/
(ain't nobody living it)
here's perfection lets go ahead a ruin it/
It won't be long before I'm gone/
I'll be home and I'll be strong/
(get Wise)
Handed perfection and we ruined it/
Trying to get back to being nuded again/
Those who make claims ain't doing it/
Had change in my pocket but I'm losing it/
Whats the cost for beautiful feet/
We just all talk got beautiful teeth/
I see the grey haired just talking about us/
The wisest in room ain't talking the loudest/
Young man keep-clanging cymbal/
They exit while you intro/
The lost man needed some info/
But I can't hear through a window/
I see the world needs more change/
But I just want more fame/
Cuz my pride wants more tower/
Before we work lets sleep one more hour/
It won't be long before I'm gone/
I'll be home and I'll be strong/
(get Wise)
We debate who the blind is- meanwhile we stand around he done bumped right into us/
We a bunch of peters trying to act strong point fingers trying to call out judas/
Before I went to sleep I made GOD a promise that I'll grow up and pay him homage/
But when I sleep if I can be honest, all my dreams are just so childish/
Alone in a crowd full of noise, barely entertained in a room full of toys/
Living in Jericho hoping it gets destroyed, living amongst men disguised as boys/
Will you feet be a blessing- will your hands leave impressions/
It might be a problem if you have all the answers and ask no questions/
Everybody wants the crown now/
Nobody even wants to lay their life down/
We just talk we ain't really trying to live it my homie/I guess that's what they mean by religion my homie/
I see the world needs more change/
But I just want more fame/
Cuz my pride wants more tower/
Before we work lets sleep one more hour/
It won't be long before I'm gone/
I'll be home and I'll be strong/
(get Wise)
The song "Get Wise" by Sho Baraka is a commentary on the lack of action and follow-through in today's society, specifically in places like open mics, classrooms, and churches. The lyrics speak to the fact that many people talk about change and complain about the state of the world, yet few actually take action to make a difference. The first verse talks about being in various situations where people are talking but not doing, and highlights the irony of people preaching about new life and change but not actually living it.
The chorus then talks about "handed perfection" which has been ruined, and the desire to get back to a simpler state. Sho Baraka speaks about the cost of beautiful feet and the fact that everyone talks but nobody is doing. The second verse talks about the need for change in the world but how many people are more interested in fame and pride than actually making a difference. There is a reference to Peter and Judas, with people pointing fingers instead of taking responsibility. The song ends with questioning whether we will leave a positive impact on the world or just talk about it.
In summary, the song "Get Wise" is trying to inspire people to take action and not just talk about change. It points out the lack of follow-through in various settings and asks listeners to be part of the solution instead of just more noise.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm at this open mic
I'm in a public forum where individuals can express their thoughts.
All these poets wanna complain about the world but ain't nobody changing it
Many individuals use this public platform to voice their critiques but are not actively involved in making a difference.
I'm sitting in this class
I'm present in an educational environment.
All students want to argue about change man but ain't nobody doing it
All pupils are passionate about advocating for positive changes; however, none of them are taking real steps towards achieving it.
I'm sitting in this church
I'm currently in a religious gathering.
The preacher man is teaching about a new life but ain't nobody living it
The religious leader is discussing the potential to have a more fulfilling existence, but the community members are not fully embodying the message.
(ain't nobody living it)
The preacher's teachings are not being practiced by the congregation.
here's perfection lets go ahead a ruin it
We have something near perfect, and we're unintentionally destroying it.
It won't be long before I'm gone
I won't be on this earth for too long.
I'll be home and I'll be strong
When I leave this world, I'll go to a better place and be resilient.
(get Wise)
We need to gain wisdom.
Handed perfection and we ruined it
We were given something close to perfect, but we destroyed it.
Trying to get back to being nuded again
We're attempting to strip ourselves from unnecessary things.
Those who make claims ain't doing it
Individuals who are vocal about their commitment to change aren't following through.
Had change in my pocket but I'm losing it
I had a plan or opportunity to bring about change, but I'm losing it or not taking action.
Whats the cost for beautiful feet
What is the price of possessing admirable qualities?
We just all talk got beautiful teeth
We're all talk and no action, and we look good doing so.
I see the grey haired just talking about us
Elder individuals are discussing our lack of productivity or follow-through.
The wisest in room ain't talking the loudest
The person who is most knowledgeable doesn't necessarily need to be the loudest in the conversation.
Young man keep-clanging cymbal
A young man is making a lot of noise for little impact or contribution to the situation.
They exit while you intro
Individuals are leaving while you're starting something new.
The lost man needed some info
An individual who is unsure requires guidance or information.
But I can't hear through a window
I'm unable to comprehend or receive knowledge from a distance or without direct communication.
I see the world needs more change
I recognize that the world requires additional transformation.
But I just want more fame
I'm content with accolades or individual recognition.
Cuz my pride wants more tower
My ego craves even greater success or domination.
Before we work lets sleep one more hour
We're procrastinating taking action by deciding to rest for a little while longer.
We debate who the blind is- meanwhile we stand around he done bumped right into us
We're arguing about who has less awareness when we're blind to each other's errors.
We a bunch of peters trying to act strong point fingers trying to call out judas
We're imitating Peter's weakness along with trying to appear strong and expressing blame towards others like Judas.
Before I went to sleep I made GOD a promise that I'll grow up and pay him homage
I made a promise to God that I would mature and show respect.
But when I sleep if I can be honest, all my dreams are just so childish
When I'm asleep, my subconscious desires are immature or irrelevant.
Alone in a crowd full of noise, barely entertained in a room full of toys
I feel isolated in a loud setting and unfulfilled in an environment with plenty of distractions.
Living in Jericho hoping it gets destroyed, living amongst men disguised as boys
I'm living in a place where destruction is needed, and the individuals here are acting like children.
Will you feet be a blessing- will your hands leave impressions
Will your actions cause positive influence, and will your work leave significant marks?
It might be a problem if you have all the answers and ask no questions
If you claim to know everything and don't seek others' insights, that could be an issue.
Everybody wants the crown now
Everyone craves victory or status in the present moment.
Nobody even wants to lay their life down
No one desires to make sacrifices or commitments.
We just talk we ain't really trying to live it my homie
We merely speak about our aspirations without actively working to achieve them, my friend.
I guess that's what they mean by religion my homie
This behavior embodies the stereotypical idea of religion among many people, my friend.
It won't be long before I'm gone
I don't have much time left on this earth.
I'll be home and I'll be strong
When I pass away, I'll be in a better place and will have a considerable amount of resilience.
(get Wise)
We must obtain knowledge and insight.
Contributed by Ellie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Quincy Howard
definitely to this day one of the best in the game. terribly under rated ...
Rapzilla.com
yep
Goose
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with this statement. I went back and listened to Lions & Liars and was blown away at how great it was. Never have I heard a CHH album contextualized to a culture and still display the gospel. Even in Turn My Life was a little ahead.
JustMeechOfficial
Sho put it down in this track man! I heard more than the lyrics, I began to see & hear the conviction of the outcry for Congo inside of this track. Heart & Soul Are The Foundation Of Great Music!! Sho hasn't changed a bit, but Swoope's production skills are changing the minds of fellow hip-hoppers! Its CRAZY YO! SOOOOOO NEEDED!
Joy Mulumba
This song haunted me for weeks! Sho Baraka you are blessed, don't stop and don't listen to critics!
LetsgoCJ
Sho's flow is siick! Really showed out in this one - two thumbs up!!
Sara Christiaens
Awesome song Sho Baraka love your song shut us down too ;) keep up the good music ..Amen!
JeaktheGeek
Powerful message to the song! We need more change, and it starts with us;)
Nique Speaks
The Lyrics were the TRUTH in this song..PEOPLE OF GOD LET'S GET IT TOGETHER NOW!!
Lavell W
One of the most criminally underrated rappers ever.