Sho Baraka facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sho Baraka
Background information
Birth name	Amisho Baraka Lewis
Born	(1979-01-10) January 10, 1979 (age 46)
Genres	Christian hip hop, conscious hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper, songwriter, director
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Reach, High Society, Humble Beast
Associated acts	116 Clique, High Society

Amisho Baraka Lewis (born January 10, 1979), known by his stage name Sho Baraka, is an American Christian hip-hop artist and writer. He has released music on his own and was a founding member of the 116 Clique. He first signed with Reach Records but left in March 2011.

After leaving, he helped start a record label and group called "High Society." He worked with other Christian rappers like JR, Swoope, and Suzy Rock. His first album, Turn My Life Up, came out in November 2007. His second album, Lions and Liars, was released in March 2010. Talented Xth, his third album, came out in January 2013. His fourth album, The Narrative, was released in October 2016.

Sho Baraka's Story

Sho Baraka was born Amisho Baraka Lewis in Alberta, Canada, on January 10, 1979. He grew up in Southern California. This was a time when "gangsta rap" music was very popular.

When he was in high school, Sho and his friends started a rap group. They even toured with some big music artists. Later, the rap group ended. Many of Sho's close friends faced serious problems, like being killed or going to jail.

Sho decided to listen to his father's advice and go to college. He was accepted into Tuskegee University. There, he met Lecrae and Tedashii. This led to the creation of the 116 Clique and Reach Records. While at Tuskegee, Sho also became a Christian.

New Music Adventures

On April 13, 2011, Sho Baraka announced he would leave Reach Records. He had been with the label for four years and released two albums. Even though he was leaving the label, Sho said he would still work with Reach for concerts and events through 2011. He also appeared on other Reach projects that year.

Sho then joined a new music and art group called High Society. He worked with Swoope, J.R., and Suzy Rock in this group. Lewis announced that his new album, Talented Xth, would be released on January 1, 2013. Later, on June 14, 2016, he signed with another Christian hip-hop label, Humble Beast.

Fun Appearances in Videos

Sho Baraka has made special guest appearances, called "cameos," in music videos. A cameo is a small role by a famous person.

You can see Sho in Trip Lee's music video for the song The Invasion (hero). In the video, Sho plays Trip Lee's boss. Sho also appeared in Lecrae's music video for "Don't Waste Your Life." This song was from Lecrae's 2008 album, Rebel. In that video, Sho played a former gang member. Lecrae's character, who had become a Christian, wrote to Sho's character about how God had changed his life.

Music Albums

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 Songs

• "WLAK" (Swoope featuring Alex Faith & Christon Gray)
• "The Church" (Lecrae)
• "In Ya Hood (Cypha Remix)" (Tedashii featuring Trip Lee, Lecrae, 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)
• "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 and Andy Mineo)
• "Cynical" (Propaganda 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)

Other Projects

• Protest Package 1 EP (2012) (with JAMM as Hello Revolution)

Mixtapes

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

Movies and Videos

Film Appearances

Music Videos

• 2006 – 116 Clique – "116 Clique Video"