Music Review: “Barakaology”

By Claude Atcho

GENRE: HIP-HOP/RAP

LABEL: REACH RECORDS

RELEASE DATE: MARCH 2009

RATING: 3.5 OUT OF 5

I’m greatly pleased to see the mixtape is slowly regaining significance and worth in the hip-hop world and even more pleased that this resurgence is happening through the HHH community. From Fedel to Pro to DJ Morph, the quality of the mixtape is gradually being restored to what it once was before the field became over saturated and lost all remnants of quality. Staying true to resurgence of the mixtape and the quality of all their releases, Reach Records’ Sho Baraka presents to the masses “Barakaology,” a free, albeit short mixtape that is actually worth some monetary payment.

“Barakaology” arrives right in time for March Madness and features Sho spitting over some of the hottest beats in HHH including recent hits from K-Drama, The Amabassador, and Rhema Soul. Fans of Sho will already be familiar with his refreshing ability to combine clever lyricism, biblical truth, and a sense of humor with his strong charisma on the mic.

Since “Barakaology” is a mixtape, familiar listeners will notice that Sho employs a few more punchlines and humorous skits that you would see on a regular album. While the content remains biblically solid, the emphasized humor and particularly the increased wordplay and witty one-liners make “Barakaology” a really enjoyable listen, fitting well with the mixtape’s theme: one’s walk with God is something that is serious but worthy of joy, fun, and celebration as well.

“Kobe Bryant On ‘Em,” Sho Baraka’s rendition of K-Drama’s “Air Jordan,” is certainly one of the better remixes of the hit song– if not the best (there’s been a slew of them released lately). “Kobe Bryant On ‘Em” has several bars that display Sho on top of his game: using cultural knowledge, wordplay, and humor to convey biblical themes. And there are a couple lines that are just downright hilarious. Many folks might download “Barakaology” just to get their hands on this track and I wouldn’t blame them but thankfully the rest of the mixtape is solid as well.

Some may recognize “Great Day To Die” and “Glorious” as previous songs from Sho but the tracks actually have new verses and guest features. Sho could have easily just put the original tracks on the mixtape but instead he crafted some fresh material for us and it is greatly appreciated.

“Let The Record Drop” features Sho and Katalyst running wild over Rhema Soul’s hit off DJ Morph’s “INTERNATIONAL” mixtape. As much as I love Rhema Soul’s original version, Sho’s rendition definitely gives the supergroup from Florida a bit of a run for their money.

“My Testimony” is a great track and one I really appreciated as it gives fans and listeners a more personal glimpse into Sho’s life, mainly how he encountered the gospel of Jesus Christ. Laying out his testimony over Fedel’s “In My Zone,” Sho provides listeners with some introspective insight that you don’t really get from your everyday artist.

Seeing how “Barakaology” is free and all, and actually good given the fact that it’s free, I know it’s just me being greedy but I have to point out a couple minor flaws. The length of the mixtape had me wanting more (likely by design) and some of the guest spots felt a bit flat, particularly when examined in light of Sho’s performances on the respective song(s). Also, as is commonplace with the mixtape, particularly those that are free, the use of recycled beats (beats used by other artists originally) really diminishes replay value. Of course, tracks like “Kobe Bryant On ‘Em” and “Let The Record Drop” are exceptions to the trend, but this is one aspect of this mixtape that hurt it’s rating in my book.

Still, it’d be quite foolish on your part to neglect “Barakaology.” It’s a free mixtape that is certainly good enough to have a price on it but instead Sho Baraka has provided an entertaining and edifying mixtape all for free. Head over to www.myspace.com/shobaraka and download away and hats off to Reach Records and Sho Baraka for being generous to their fans with this free release.