COTB: …and He’s Back! Catching up with Sho Baraka

In this episode of Church On The Block, Pastor Phil, Pastor Jay, Amy Williams, and DJ Ruckus welcomed a very special guest: hip hop artist, author, and cultural commentator Sho Baraka. Known for his lyrical depth and bold perspective, Sho pulled back the curtain on his long-awaited album Midnight of a Good Culture and offered an honest conversation about art, faith, failure, and redemption.

A Nine-Year Journey to Release

Sho began by acknowledging the long gap between his last album and this one—nearly nine years. While fans may have grown impatient, he explained that this project required time to live, reflect, and wrestle with the realities of culture and his own life. The result is a body of work that isn’t rushed or algorithm-driven, but deeply intentional.

The album’s title, Midnight of a Good Culture, sets the tone. Sho described it as an exploration of the darkness hovering over society—political corruption, spiritual apathy, and cultural despair—while still clinging to the possibility of light. He compared his role to that of a prophet: naming the brokenness yet pointing toward hope.

More Than Content—It’s Art

One of the most striking parts of the conversation was Sho’s distinction between content and art. Content, he argued, is about speed, algorithms, and quick consumption. Art, on the other hand, is slow, patient, and rooted in depth. For Sho, this album is art. Each song connects to the theme of time, creating the flow of a single day. Tracks like “Good Morning” and “Good Night” mark the hours, making the project not just a collection of songs but a carefully composed journey.

Sho explained that this perspective came from time spent in both the “valley” and the “mountaintop.” He believes true creativity requires living with people, wrestling with God, and descending from lofty places to deliver what’s been learned.

Risks, Creativity, and New Nostalgia

The hosts asked about risks he took on this project, and Sho immediately pointed to the track “Meeting Phyllis Wheatley at 3:16.” Unlike anything he’d done before, it blends singing and storytelling in ways that pushed him out of his comfort zone. His producers, Xavier Hayes and Jeremiah Atkins, helped him stretch further by building a sound Sho calls “new nostalgia”—a nod to 90s hip hop and R&B, updated for today.

This approach is evident in singles like “Might Not Go,” a track inspired by a Negro spiritual that boldly challenges hypocrisy in faith communities. Another standout is “Still Got Faith,” which clings to trust in God even in the midst of darkness. Both songs embody the raw honesty Sho is known for while also carrying the weight of tradition.

Honesty, Lament, and Redemption

Perhaps the most moving part of the episode came when Sho spoke about personal struggles that shaped the record. He opened up about an affair in 2020, confessing the pain of hiding, the shame of exposure, and the grace of restoration. That story fuels the song “Shadow of Shame,” where Sho proclaims forgiveness and freedom through Christ.

This is followed by “Donna,” a tribute to his late mother. Featuring his brother—who once rejected the faith but has since embraced it—the song testifies to the power of a praying mother and the beauty of reconciliation. For Sho, sharing his grief publicly is less about spectacle and more about creating space for others to lament and wrestle honestly with God.

Beyond Music: Expanding the Tent

Sho also discussed his role as editorial director for Christianity Today’s Big Tent initiative, which seeks to broaden the voices and perspectives represented in Christian publishing. His goal is to make space for diverse voices—Black, Pentecostal, Baptist, AME, and more—so that faith conversations reflect the full richness of the church. For him, writing and reading are just as important as music in shaping culture.

Final Thoughts

By the end of the episode, one thing was clear: Sho Baraka is not just an MC—he is an artist, storyteller, and cultural prophet. Midnight of a Good Culture is more than music; it’s a meditation on despair, faith, and resilience. With themes of lament, family, restoration, and social critique, Sho has crafted an album that asks listeners to think deeply and feel honestly.

For anyone wrestling with faith in the midst of cultural darkness, this album—and this conversation—offers a reminder: even at midnight, light can break through.

Holy Culture Radio is operated by The Corelink Solution, a non-profit organization that aims to create a safe space for healing, foster unity in our communities and empower the next generation of creatives and leaders through spreading the gospel.

If you’d like to support our work, please make a donation. No amount is too small. You can also shop our online store to help spread awareness of our mission. Again, thank you and remember to be encouraged and be blessed.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – Intro to Church On The Block
1:35 – Welcoming Sho Baraka
2:40 – Why it took nine years to release a new album
5:00 – The meaning behind Midnight of a Good Culture
7:00 – Content vs. Art: Sho on being more than an MC
11:10 – Building an album around the flow of a day
13:50 – Taking creative risks: “Meeting Phyllis Wheatley at 3:16”
16:30 – The sound of “new nostalgia”
17:20 – “Might Not Go” and the challenge to faith communities
21:45 – Drawing from Negro spirituals
27:40 – Sho on selective listening and influences
27:55 – His work with Christianity Today’s Big Tent initiative
34:50 – Writing, editing, and creating space for diverse voices
36:50 – Lament, grief, and faith in suffering
38:45 – The single “Still Got Faith”
46:00 – Transparency: processing shame, failure, and forgiveness
48:50 – Tribute to his late mother on “Donna”
53:20 – “New Nostalgia” exclusive track
54:45 – Where to connect with Sho Baraka
58:30 – Word on the Block: Chicago faith leaders and hip hop news
1:06:00 – Listener of the week + closing

Related Radio Show: CHURCH ON THE BLOCK