"...stop coloring your past to make it make sense for others..."
Have you ever heard of "FINE" as an acronym for Fucked up, Insecure, Neurotic, and Emotional?
Lady Sarkazym of Griot Soul Records, a master griot in her own right, delivers a powerful statement in her latest video release, I'M FINE. Released on YouTube on August 29, 2024, this piece rocks today's Fresh Friday Groove with its haunting black and white imagery punctuated by strategic pops of red that symbolize hidden struggles breaking through the surface.
When the striking visuals of "I'm Fine" first hit our Fresh Friday Groove, it wasn't just another spoken word release. It was a bold confrontation with self wrapped in artistic brilliance. The monochrome aesthetic with those deliberate red accents tells a story that words alone cannot capture—representing the punctuation of truth, perhaps the blood shed in toxic relationships, and inner power breaking through society's mundane cover-ups. How does it speak to you?
Lady Sarkazym's powerful directive in this piece—"stop coloring your past to make it make sense for others..."—lingers in the mind long after the video ends. These words speak directly to anyone who has ever hidden behind the phrase "I'm fine" while carrying inner turmoil.
Her Raw Authenticity is a Revolutionary Act
Tam Muhammad, known as Lady Sarkazym, has been performing since 2004. Those who've followed her journey have witnessed an evolution from the shock and awe of her expletive-laced lyricism to an intentional cultivation of healing wrapped in real talk—all while maintaining the masterful wordplay that initially commanded attention and respect when she first rocked the mic at Jus Words in Philly's Dowlings Palace.
What sets her apart in the spoken word landscape is her refusal to play victim. She encourages authenticity but reminds us we are accountable for how we allow people to treat us. She calls upon women, especially Black women, to be honest with themselves and work toward self-improvement rather than falling into blame games. Her message is clear: "get up from the table when love is no longer being served."
This accountability wrapped in solutions with the intention to heal and empower distinguishes her work. Without these positive elements, spoken word can become preachy and negative noise. Lady Sarkazym sees things from perspectives not often articulated, challenging audiences to move beyond comfortable narratives.
Visual Storytelling That Transcends Generations
The black and white aesthetic of "I'm Fine" evokes older times when women were expected to behave according to rigid social norms—the Ozzie and Harriet days, when the perfect housewife smiled through pain and kept family secrets buried. The strategic red accents breaking through this monochrome world create a powerful visual metaphor for truth that cannot be contained.
This artistic choice speaks across generations with universal emotional impact. The technique of color popping against black and white creates an immediate visual connection that resonates with audiences on an instinctual level.
The visual symbolism works hand-in-hand with Lady Sarkazym's message, creating a multi-sensory experience that guides viewers toward emotional honesty. It catalyzes the essential first steps: awareness of our habits of masking pain, acceptance of personal truth, and self-accountability for implementing healing actions.
The Power of Your Truth
Lady Sarkazym's "I'm Fine" offers more than artistic expression—it provides a pathway to healing through honesty. When she warns against "coloring your past to make it make sense for others," she speaks directly to our collective habit of emotional masking. The piece helps viewers recognize when they're hiding toxic behaviors and situations, often behind those two simple words: "I'm fine."
In the GrioVerse™, authentic storytelling isn't just art. It's salvation. It's community building.
Lady Sarkazym's ability to clearly articulate her message to a broad range of womanhood makes her voice valuable in diverse settings. As an educated woman who advocates for authenticity "whether you live in the hood or the 'burbs, whether you have a GED or Ph.D.," she bridges worlds that rarely connect. Her messages resonate both in community centers and educational spaces, on the stage, the page, and beyond.
Lady Sarkazym's voice represents the kind of raw, healing truth we need more of as humans. Her refusal to sanitize difficult realities while offering pathways to empowerment makes her work essential listening.
So check out "I'm Fine" by Lady Sarkazym on YouTube, released August 29, 2024. Go www.GriotSoulRecords.com or to your favorite music digital platform to Buy it. Stream it. Share it. Because supporting artists like Lady Sarkazym isn't just about appreciating good art—it's about keeping cultural truth-tellers alive and thriving. It's about making space for voices that challenge us to stop hiding behind "fine" and start living in our authentic truth.
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