A note from Sho Baraka of Reach Records

A Man’s Gift Will Make Room for Him (Proverbs 18:16)

What a wonderful responsibility I have. I get to use one of my talents as a means to share GOD’s wonderful plan of salvation with the world. I also get to challenge and encourage believers to continue to see Jehovah for who he is. I get to hear amazing testimonies of how my music has encouraged young, old, black, white, believer and non-believer. Our heavenly father will never cease to amaze me with acts of grace and mercy.

I’m also amazed by the platform I have. I’ve had thousands listen to my every word, seeking hope, courage, strength and enlightenment. I’ve had numerous calls, emails, and personal conversations with leaders about how they’ve used my lyrics for devotionals and bible studies. I’ve taught many retreats, Sunday services, and seminars because brothers and sister in the Lord appreciate my music. As I wrote in Great Day II Die, “I see the young ones watching, yeah we role models/ I aint trippin cuz I saw the Role modeled”. Basically, I know that we’re admired because of the talents and positions we hold, but more importantly I hope we’re admired because of the way we reflect Christ-like character in our everyday life.

I say this because I’m very aware of the grace GOD bestows on your boy on a daily basis. I’m aware that I must watch my life and doctrine closely (1 Timothy 4:16). But if I had a chance to do it all over again, I would tell Reach “No, thank you.”

“WHAT! SHO, ARE YOU SERIOUS!”

“Do you know what I’d give to be down with Lecrae, T-dot, and Trip? Do you know what I would do to have the opportunity to have a national audience? You have the chance to share Christ with thousands of people, through a talent that you enjoy doing.”

And maybe this is problem number #1.

I know many of us have great motives, great hearts, and great plans for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know many of us have a form of service that we would love to use on a national level. We know the plans of a man seem right in his own eyes, but GOD weighs the motive (Proverbs 16:2).

To many of us seek to be rappers or (fill in the blank) when we should seek to be servants, by any means. Not “Lord I’ll serve you with rap or (fill in the blank) by any means, but Lord I’ll serve YOU by any means.” More than naught in the scriptures you find Jehovah choosing his servants for the task that he wants of them, not the other way around. (Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Everybody…To many to name.)

My Struggle

Before I became a Christian I had the opportunity to rub shoulders with very important secular artists, producers, and managers. I had a group that sought to become successful hip-hop stars. We got radio play in California and did tour dates with major artists. We thought we had made it. When those dreams fell apart I was crushed. My desire was fame and wealth. So as a growing Christian I knew I needed to guard against this by any means necessary. I meet Lecrae and Tedashii in 1998. I was around Reach before it had a single record. Some have asked why it took me so long to do a solo album. I was content with serving the Lord in the capacity He saw fit for me. I knew I couldn’t handle the wickedness of my heart. From Real Talk to Amped, I knew that Sho’s heart needed to be refined by the grace and word of the Lord. I had no problem seeing the Lord use my brothers, and see him not use me in the same fashion. But I continued to encourage and spur my brothers on to love and good deeds. I signed a one album deal as an attempt to combat any struggles that may arise. Question- do you have this same contentment with your talents? Know that if you do rap or (fill in the blank), GOD has not promised the extras like: distribution, fans, great production, websites, great reviews or shows. All that other stuff is the Lord’s grace towards us.

Some of my issues with our Service

1) Too many people desire a form of service like Rap (fill in the blank) without knowing the Responsibility. James tells us to not be eager to be teachers (James 3:1). Rappers are esteemed in many circles like prophets, teachers or pastors. They get this status without any formal training. This can be very dangerous. Cousins, if I get another Demo from a brother who is not living out the responsibility in the local church, I will scream! Be accountable to a church (Acts 2-4). Grow in love, submit to authority, study the scriptures, live in community, and serve outside of you natural talent.

2) Some cats use their talents for entertainment purposes. From my perspective that’s cool, however if you use your talent in a church, you need to exhort and encourage the body (Romans 12, Eph 5:18-21 and Col 3:16).

3) I have trouble being sanctified by my form of service. We need to put ourselves in positions of service where we are being sharpened by that service for the Lord’s glory. I need to die to my selfishness and fleshy desires on a daily basis. I want to be the best rapper. I want everyone to love my music. I want to hear great testimonies of how my music changes lives. I pray to the Lord that I may be content with the role I may play in the movement of Reach or this music movement as a whole. In whatever form of service you offer to the Lord, please do it on his terms not yours.

I have some questions for us to constantly check our heart.

1. If you had/have this platform, is you life worth modeling? Do you know biblical truths?
2. Are you being sanctified by your service?
3. If GOD stripped your form of service would your life still look like Romans 12:1?
4. Do you get jealous of others success or compare your service to others?
5. Do you find yourself promoting self more than the Gospel?
6. Do you want your name mentioned among the best in your form of service, and get frustrated when its not?
7. Are you under the authority and accountability of a local church?

Lets not look like Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9-25). He had an amazing gift in the world. He was accustomed to getting applause from men. He became a believer and followed great men. When he saw their impact, he began to lust after their positions and gifts because he desired to have the same impact with people. He knew not the true meaning of service or the true use for gifting. And that’s to edify the body.

-Sho Baraka