| Sho Baraka | |
| Landscape: | yes |
| Background: | solo_singer |
| Birth Name: | Amisho Baraka Lewis |
| Birth Date: | January 10, 1979 |
| Genre: | Christian hip hop, conscious hip hop |
| Occupation: | Rapper, songwriter, director |
| Years Active: | 2004–present |
| Label: | Reach, High Society, Humble Beast |
| Associated Acts: | 116 Clique, High Society |
| Website: | Sho Baraka on Myspace |
Amisho Baraka Lewis (born January 10, 1979), better known by his stage name Sho Baraka, is an American Christian hip-hop artist and writer who has recorded both independently and as a founding member of the 116 Clique. He was originally signed to Reach Records until leaving in March 2011. He then co-founded a record label and group known as "High Society" with fellow Christian rappers JR, Swoope, and Suzy Rock. His debut album Turn My Life Up was released in November 2007. His second album Lions and Liars, was released March 2010. His third album Talented Xth was released in January 2013. His fourth album, The Narrative, was released in October 2016.
Sho Baraka was born Amisho Baraka Lewis in Alberta, Canada on January 10,[1] [2] 1979.[3] Sho was introduced to hip hop at a young age. He was raised in Southern California during the height of gangsta rap which inspired Sho and some friends from his neighborhood in high school, formed a rap group that began touring with major recording artists. The rap group soon ended and many of Sho's close friends were killed or incarcerated. He decided to follow his father's advice and attend college, getting accepted into Tuskegee University. There he came into contact with Lecrae and Tedashii and eventually the 116 Clique and Reach Records were formed.
While attending Tuskegee, Sho converted to Christianity.[4]
On April 13, 2011, Rapzilla posted a blog from Sho stating that he planned to leave Reach Records after four years and two albums with the label. Although he is leaving the Reach label, Sho said he would continue to be an artist with Reach booking and continue to do concert dates and events with the label through 2011. He would also be featured on Reach projects released through the year.[5] Sho is now a part of the music & art group High Society with Swoope, J.R., & Suzy Rock. Lewis announced that he would release a new album, Talented Xth, on January 1, 2013.[6]
On June 14, 2016, he signed with Christian hip-hop label, Humble Beast.[7]
Sho can be spotted as Trip Lee's fictional boss in the video for Lee's song The Invasion (hero) off the album Between Two Worlds. Sho was in the music video for Lecrae's lead single, "Don't Waste Your Life" from his 2008 album, Rebel, as a former gang member of Lecrae's who escaped arrest years before. Lecrae portrayed a converted Christian, writing to Sho's character about how God had changed his life.
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US Christ | US Rap | US Gospel | |||||||
| 2007 | Turn My Life Up
| — | — | — | 43 | |||||
| 2010 | Lions and Liars
| 149 | 10 | 15 | 3 | |||||
| 2013 | Talented 10th
| 108 | 5 | 12 | 1 | |||||
| 2016 | The Narrative
| — | — | — | — | |||||
| 2017 | The Narrative, Volume 2: Pianos & Politics
| — | — | — | — | |||||
| 2018 | So Many Feelings (with Vanessa Hill)
| — | — | — | — | |||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||||||||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | October Baby | Drama coach | Credited as "Amisho Lewis"[8] | ||
| 2012 | Grace Card | Reformed Ex con |