"When I Say I’m Fine": Zhake’s Honest Confession on the Grind
- Editorial Board
- Jun 27
- 2 min read
A self-produced confession where Zhake tears down the mask we wear when we say we’re ‘fine’ and reminds us what it costs to grind alone.
With When I Say I’m Fine, Jake Zhenya Mitchell, known as Zhake, puts the weight of an entire song on his own shoulders and delivers something that feels personal, unfiltered, and true.
Released June 13th, this single is more than just music; it’s a mirror into the mind of an artist who raps, sings, writes, produces, tracks, mixes, and masters every second himself.
From the first line — “Yeah I’m all right” — Zhake lets the listener know he’s not. The hook doubles back on itself like a confession: “No, I’m not alright when I say I’m fine.” That simple contradiction is the heart of the track: the mask we wear, the lie we repeat, the truth we hide just out of reach. The vocal delivery is unique, it goes through a joruney of angry, to delicate and singing just like one's goes through the journey of life.
The beat sits steady with drums and piano notes but mournful, giving his voice room to breathe and crack where it needs to. He raps about wasted time, the fear of fading out, the myth that you should fake it till you make it. Instead, Zhake says exactly how it feels when the hustle is your only anchor. “Wear my emotions like it’s makeup” lands like a gut punch — the line of someone who knows how to dress up pain just enough to keep going.
By the final verses, he flips it outward: “We have one less mouth than ears to talk less than we listen…” — lines that show this isn’t just his story, but everyone’s who’s ever felt judged before they could finish their side. It’s sharp, raw, and it stays raw because Zhake refuses to coat it in shine.
The strength of When I Say I’m Fine is that it’s entirely him — every word, every beat, every tweak behind the boards. It’s the sound of an artist determined to stay independent, doing it all so no one can tell him who to be.
Don’t forget to follow Zhake on Instagram and listen to him on all streaming platforms.
