Trailblazin Ministries

Sho Baraka - Turn My Life Up

Written by G-Rich
Monday, 28 January 2008

Album Overview

"Live at a ten." As I look around, I see everyone, including myself, trying to do this in their own way. However, the only way to successfully do this is to go to the holy, everlasting, "10", if you may, our God and Savior. With, Turn My Life Up, Sho Baraka has made a hot debut album that will help the album do exactly as the title says. From blaring brass to subtle strings, the album has a very diverse sound, and maintains a feel-good sense throughout.

Although this is his debut project, Sho is no rookie to the mic. Through the 116 Clique compilations and features on basically all of the Reach Record albums, he is a seasoned vet that will not leave you disappointed. Also, guest appearances from Lecrae, Tedashii, Json, Trip Lee, Cam and others keep the mix hot and interesting. His witty lines and precise imagery paint a sharp image of how great God can make your life, even at the toughest times.

Overall, I'd recommend this album to all Christian music lovers. Sho's upbeat style provides a refreshing feeling of hope to the listener while showing them the key to joy through a Christ-centered life. So what are you waiting for? Turn up the music, and turn up your life.

Spiritual Significance

This album's main purpose is to show the listener how to live a better life in the presence of God. By staying connected to Him, we can find joy in our lives even when things aren't going too well. Sho acknowledges that we still must bear our crosses daily ("Great Day II Die", Mark 8:34), but that doesn't mean that we can't experience true joy through the Lord. The Christian life is filled with challenges and that is exactly why Sho found it critical to talk about turning up life where the music is sweet. Elevating life, if you will, is a way to rise above some of the troubles that come with living in the flesh. Staying positive in times of trouble, looking to God for help in trials, is another key component of turning up life. As it is reflected in Psalm 3:2-4, "How many are my foes, Lord! How many rise against me! How many say of me, 'God will not save that one.' But you, Lord, are a shield around me; my glory, you keep my head high." This praise in times of trouble is a perfect example of, "living at a ten." Even when life seems dismal, God can still make it seem to be a perfect 10.

On top of this, Sho talks about fighting the negative influences of the world. He starts out with a few songs targeting the problem of materialism, denouncing the fame and fortune of the music industry and other common material things (see Matthew 6:25-34 and Luke 12:22-34). Also, he mentions surrounding himself with believers that will build him up, as opposed to being negatively influenced by those who have lower moral standards. Being around fellow believers will keep a person strong in their walk (see Proverbs 27:17). Through these things, Sho again implies the need to keep a strong connection with God in order to keep life, "at a ten."

All said and done, Sho is very consistent with his emphasis on staying tuned into God to get the most out of living the Christian life. It may not be the easiest way to go, but it will reap the greatest rewards one can imagine. If you give God your one life, He'll give you His infinite blessings to weather the storm. Sounds like a good trade to me!

Topics Covered

• Turn My Life Up - The Blessings of staying connected to God
• Music of Life - Keeping God as 1st priority in life
• Overrated - Emptiness of Material Goods
• Rebuild The City - Fixing society; putting God at the foundation (Matthew 7:24-27)
• Maranatha - The great power of God, waiting for His coming
• Saints - Hanging with fellow believers for support, sharpening other believers
• Great Day II Die - Bearing our crosses daily; dying to our flesh (Luke 9:23-26)
• Catch Me at the Brook - Seeking the Lord. The affect of losing connection with God
• Higher Love - The pure love of God. He deserves to be loved
• Oh My Lord - The weakness of humans and our need for God
• Love of My Life - Women's value and virtuous relationships
• 100 - Putting 100% into our lives for God
• God is Like/Who is Like God - Basic definition of God and the greatness of God
• Rescue Me/You Are My Everything - We're nothing without God/our need for Him

Key Tracks

Turn My Life Up, Maranatha, Catch Me at the Brook, God is Like/Who is Like God