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"
Here 2016
Sho Baraka Lyrics
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And make the folks go dumb
Horns make the people turn up
Yeah it make the people turn up
Turn up, turn up
We make the people turn up
Church keys make the church folks sing
Church folks sing, church folks sing
Love over hate, love over hate
I'm here for that
Real over fake, real over fake
I'm here for that
Truth and faith, truth and faith
I'm here for that
Beauty and grace, beauty and grace
I'm here for that
If you're here for the love, if you're here for the love, for the love (can the church say amen?)
If you're here for the love, if you're here for the love, for the love (amen, amen)
If you're here for the love, if you're here for the love, for the love (can the church say amen?)
If you're here for the love, if you're here for the love, for the love (amen, amen)
Don't be afraid this is the future
I know you ain't met, I'll introduce ya
They might be cool but we are cooler
We got class so let us school ya
Fresh to death, like a million bucks
I might just go a year in bow ties and chucks
I might just go to church in an all white tux
Yeah ya boy fly so you know what's up
Can the church say amen?
I'm here for that
When the system don't love us, justice for the brothers
Yeah, yeah I'm here for that
You can tell all the haters with no hesitation I'll take the reparation
I'm here for that
And tell all the rappers with the pimpin' pimpin' murder sell drugs I ain't feelin' that
Woo, I just do it for the love, I do it for the love (I do it)
I do it for the nerds and the thugs, those overcoming drugs
I'm here for that
Give the children a little purpose
Tell the politicians they serve us
Make them nervous, I know they heard us
Tell 'em we came here for the turn up
Love over hate, love over hate
I'm here for that
Real over fake, real over fake
I'm here for that
Truth and faith, truth and faith
I'm here for that
Beauty and grace, beauty and grace
I'm here for that
If you're here for the love, if you're here for the love, for the love (can the church say amen?)
If you're here for the love, if you're here for the love, for the love (amen, amen)
If you're here for the love, if you're here for the love, for the love (can the church say amen?)
If you're here for the love, if you're here for the love, for the love (amen, amen)
Yeah
What up Sho?
Just like old times, right?
Look, I'm here for the young'uns with they pants saggin'
And homies is flaggin, some say 'What up 'cause?' or 'What's bracking?"
Nothin' lacking on the corner, bread stacking
Pray to God that nobody have to toe tag 'em
He ain't be trapping in a minute
Use the re-up money for the tithes and the rent
Told his baby momma that he love her any minute
Pastor dipped him in that water after he repented
Granny told him he don't need a souvenir in church
Straight up out the street, think he made the deacons nervous
We just tryna learn a word and keep from getting murdered
We be on that Kirk and Kendrick Sunday after service
You can call it worship, Tamir Rice done got us nervous
Innocent and killed like Christ is how they hurt us
But I'm here for that
Probably ain't gonna get a lot of cheers for that
I just do it for the love, I do it for the love (I do it)
I do it for the broke and the poor, those all feel ignored
I'm here for that
Tell 'em we woke and we alert now
I promise there's healing for your hurt now
Yeah, tell 'em we came to put in work now
Yeah, can I get a amen from the church now?
Love over hate, love over hate
I'm here for that
Real over fake, real over fake
I'm here for that
Truth and faith, truth and faith
I'm here for that
Beauty and grace, beauty and grace
I'm here for that
If you're here for the love, if you're here for the love, for the love (can the church say amen?)
If you're here for the love, if you're here for the love, for the love
If you're here for the love, if you're here for the love, for the love (can the church say amen?)
If you're here for the love, if you're here for the love, for the love
For my sisters who be fighting for that justice, uh, I'm here for that
Real fathers, loving on they wives and kids, I'm here for that
My wife is classy but a little ratchet, yeah I'm here for that
West coast feeling but I still live in the A homeboy, I'm here for that
When I walk on the courthouse judge feel the case out, definitely here for that
Y'know when that unexpected check comes in the mail, 'cause, I'm here for that
Always here for that
Uh, always I'm here for that
Gotta love it, gotta love it, gotta love it, gotta love it
It means to be broadened, y'know, beyond the understanding that black women are strong
Body and souls and so we're not only strong, we are, we are helpers
We are lovers, we are fighters, y'know, we, we love strong
But we are also human, y'know that mean's we are vulnerable
Y'know we are, we hurt, y'know we ache, like everybody else
We need somebody, to, to be strong for us when we are taking the bumps
The bruises we're here on the frontlines, fighting so many battles
That many people are not privy to and so I think that
So y'know we are sisters, we are aunts, y'know we are deaconesses
We are leaders in our churches, y'know, we are speakers
We are writers, y'know we are corporate, y'know, CEO board executives
We are advocates, we need our brothers to stand up and defend black womanhood
Don't silence us, y'know, be happy that we are here to enable you, to empower you
But we also need that empowerment to go both ways
In "Here 2016," Sho Baraka speaks to the power of music and its ability to bring people together. He highlights the importance of love, truth, and beauty, emphasizing that he is present for those values. The first few lines of the song are particularly striking, as he speaks to the power of the drums and the horns, which can make people go "dumb" (meaning losing oneself in the music). The upbeat melody and rhythm of the song underscore this message of unity, happiness, and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Drums make the folks go dumb
The powerful beat of the drums is so captivating that it makes the people lose control of themselves.
Horns make the people turn up
The soulful sound of the horns has the ability to energize and excite the people.
Church keys make the church folks sing
The sound of church keys being played on a piano or an organ is so emotive and moving that it makes people want to sing.
Love over hate, love over hate, I'm here for that
In a world filled with hatred, I choose love and positivity, and I am here to stand for that.
Real over fake, real over fake, truth and faith, truth and faith, beauty and grace, beauty and grace
I value authenticity, truth, and faith over deception and falseness. I also choose to see the beauty and grace in the world.
If you're here for the love, if you're here for the love, for the love (can the church say amen?)
If you also choose love and positivity, then let's join together and embrace it fully. Can we get an 'amen' from the church?
Don't be afraid this is the future
We shouldn't be afraid of what's to come because it's our future and we have the power to shape it.
I know you ain't met, I'll introduce ya
If we haven't met yet, let me introduce myself and show you what I stand for.
Just like old times, right?
Let's enjoy the moment and appreciate the nostalgia of good times past.
Fresh to death, like a million bucks
I am looking my best and feeling confident, like I'm worth a million dollars.
Yeah ya boy fly so you know what's up
I am looking and feeling fly, which means I am on top of my game and confident in myself.
When the system don't love us, justice for the brothers, yeah, yeah I'm here for that
In a world where the system is against us, I choose to stand for justice and fight for my brothers.
You can tell all the haters with no hesitation I'll take the reparation
I am unapologetic about standing up for what's right, and if it means getting reparation for the wrongs done in the past, then I am all for it.
And tell all the rappers with the pimpin' pimpin' murder sell drugs I ain't feelin' that
I am not here for glorifying violence, drug dealing, and demeaning women in music. That doesn't align with my values.
I just do it for the love, I do it for the love (I do it)
I am doing what I do because I am passionate about it and I love it, not for fame or money.
Give the children a little purpose
It's important to give our children a sense of purpose and direction in life so that they can be successful and fulfilled.
Tell the politicians they serve us, make them nervous, I know they heard us
Politicians are elected to serve the people, so we should remind them of that and make them nervous if they don't do what's right for us.
We just tryna learn a word and keep from getting murdered
We are simply trying to learn about faith and spirituality while also trying to keep ourselves safe in a world where we are often targeted and killed.
Tell 'em we came here for the turn up
Let's let the politicians know that we are here to have a good time and celebrate life because we deserve it.
For my sisters who be fighting for that justice, uh, I'm here for that
I stand in solidarity with my sisters who tirelessly fight for justice and equality.
Real fathers, loving on they wives and kids, I'm here for that
I support the idea of loving fathers who show love and affection to their wives and children.
West coast feeling but I still live in the A homeboy, I'm here for that
Even though I may have a West coast mentality, I still call Atlanta my home and embrace its culture.
Y'know when that unexpected check comes in the mail, 'cause, I'm here for that
I love the feeling of receiving a pleasant surprise, like an unexpected check in the mail.
We need somebody, to, to be strong for us when we are taking the bumps, the bruises, we're here on the frontlines, fighting so many battles
As black women, we need someone who will stand up for us and support us when we are taking on difficult challenges and facing discrimination.
That many people are not privy to and so I think that
There are many challenges and issues that black women face that others may not be aware of, which is why we need allies and advocates to stand with us.
We need our brothers to stand up and defend black womanhood
Black women need the support and protection of our brothers to ensure that we are treated with dignity and respect.
Don't silence us, y'know, be happy that we are here to enable you, to empower you
Our voices and opinions should not be silenced or dismissed, but rather embraced and celebrated for the unique perspective and insight we bring to the table.
But we also need that empowerment to go both ways
While we give our support and empowerment to others, we also need to receive that same support and empowerment in return.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Amisho Baraka Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind