Isaac Sanguma has been making music for about seven years, but he wasn’t going to write a song about the deadly shooting that happened at Apalachee High School, where he is a student.
“I didn’t want to mean disrespect to any of the families,” he said. “I was like, ‘Nah, this is too touchy.’ But then inside, I just felt like a lot of people need to get to know this story.”
If others didn’t know the story from media coverage, a lot of people got to know it through a song Sanguma composed and posted on social media site TikTok.
Sanguma is a 16-year-old junior at Apalachee High, where a 14-year-old student allegedly opened fire killing two students and two teachers. One of those teachers was Sanguma’s Algebra teacher, Cristina Irimie. The song is called “Forever Irimie” in her honor.
Credit: Courtesy of GoFundMe
Credit: Courtesy of GoFundMe
“I really never expected this,” he said. “I’ve been rapping since, what, fifth grade? I never knew that this was going to be my breakthrough, sadly.”
The song has amassed more than 2 million likes on TikTok so far.
Sanguma said record labels have started reaching out to him about the song. He performs under the stage name “Lezone,” which is also his middle name.
The song starts out slowly, with Sanguma saying the words “I’m sorry” over and over. Then the beat quickens and as he begins the first verse. He sounds almost breathless as he raps, “Another mother lost her baby. I’m sending prayers to those kids that’s up in Grady (Memorial Hospital, where at least one of the injured victims was reportedly taken after the shooting.)”
“What a tribute to your teacher and school,” one TikTok commenter wrote. “What a gift you have for helping others guide themselves through this trauma. I’m so proud of you even though I don’t know you. I see your heart.”
Sanguma said Irimie was a memorable educator.
“She really meant a lot to me,” he said. “When she was here, I feel like I didn’t appreciate her as much.”
Sanguma attended Irimie’s funeral on Saturday, where he said her husband, family and friends thanked him for speaking up for her and writing the song.
Apalachee High has been closed since the shooting. The school will reopen the week of Sept. 23, according to the school district.
Sanguma’s lyrics reflect the pain he’s dealing with and his respect for Irimie.
“I’m still trying to process this drama,” he rapped. “Another mother lost her child; it could’ve been my mama. Won’t see Ms. Irimie for a while. Man I can’t cope this trauma.”
Credit: Tyson Horne
Credit: Tyson Horne
Sanguma didn’t pass Algebra the first time, so he is retaking it as a junior. He said Irimie believed in his ability to learn.
“All my other math teachers, they (were) just like, ‘Oh, you could take credit recovery, you could do this, you could do that,” he said. “But she actually was trying to get me to understand it from scratch. She didn’t make me feel ashamed of it.”
He smiled as he recalled how Irimie used to pull him aside at the end of the day for pep talks.
“It’s like, ‘Man, I want to go home. I’m tired,’” he said, often speaking about her in the present tense. “But looking back, thinking about what she was telling me, I really appreciate her for that. She does a lot of stuff that she doesn’t need to do. She takes teaching as a lifestyle and not a career.” He rapped about trying to honor her as he faces the rest of the school year without her.
“School ain’t gon’ be the same,” he rapped. “I gotta keep my guard up. Can’t break down. I know Ms. Irimie want me to go harder.”
Credit: April Lanuza/AJC
Credit: April Lanuza/AJC
“Forever Irimie”
(Coach, I’m sorry)
(Ms. Irimie, oh I’m sorry)
(Mason, oh I’m sorry)
(Christian, oh I’m sorry)
(I’m sorry, I’m sorry)
(I’m sorry, I’m sorry)
(Sorry, sorry)
(I’m sorry, I’m sorry)
(I’m sorry, I’m sorry)
(I’m sorry, I’m sorry)
(I’m sorry, oh aw)
Another mother lost her baby
I’m sending prayers to those kids that’s up in Grady
It could’ve been me, I’m glad the Lord saved me
I gotta be strong, no I can’t let the devil break me
(I thank the Lord that he ain’t take me)
And I’m still trying to process this drama
Another mother lost her child, It could’ve been my mama
Won’t see Ms. Irimie for a while, man I can’t cope this trauma
They lost their daddy, they ain’t let with no one but they mama
I’m hurting for his daughters
It’s crazy two lil girls won’t grow up with their father
School ain’t gon’ be the same, I gotta keep my guard up
Can’t break down, I know Ms. Irimie want me to go harder
Momma I’m on TV now, them people see me now
Ain’t want this to be my exposure
I wish that I was dreaming Lord, I need a genie Lord
Wish I knew why he did this, I need some closure
He caught 100 years
I couldn’t go to sleep that night, I dropped 100 tears
(Lezone you know you can do it)
Yo’ voice I still can hear
It’s crazy I seen you that morning then you disappeared
I still can’t go to sleep at night, I’m traumatized mama I fear
Over the galaxy, and up in the stars
I’m screaming forever Irimie, the world gon’ know you are
I’ll see you in heaven, yea I’ll see you in heaven
I’m sorry Mason and Christian, y’all left a permanent scar
Over the galaxy, and up in the stars
I’m screaming forever Irimie, the world gon’ know you are
I’ll see you in heaven, yea I’ll see you in heaven
I’m sorry Mason and Christian, y’all left a permanent scar
About the Author
