Talented 10th
Sho Baraka
2013
The album title and concept was based on the 1903 essay of the same name by W.E.B. Du Bois. Talented 10th is not just a picture of Christian salvation but also focuses on education, relationships and social change – all filtered through a biblical worldview.
“I’ve always loved W.E.B. Du Bois and Frederick Douglass, and I started reading books about them and the struggle of slavery, post-slavery and the African American plight,” Sho Baraka said. “Then I stumbled upon Du Bois’ Talented 10th, the book he wrote, and it spoke exactly to where I am. Where you have a group of people who are struggling, who are in pain, whether it be economic, physical or spiritual, but you have people around who have answers, resources, gifts, talents who can help those individuals.”
And so the whole concept of the album is, based on the book, is kind of like people who have time, talent and treasure using those gifts to the benefit of other folks. Not just teaching men to be carpenters, but teaching carpenters to be men.
Stand-Out Tracks
Chapter 2: Michael
Chapter 6: Ali
Chapter 9: Jim Crow
