My initial interest in the artist “NF” was sparked by this Youtube video, which is a MAP created for his song, “Therapy Session” (“Therapy Session:MAP”). A MAP is a multi-animator project in which people can ask to animate individual parts of a song. The animations are then edited together to create a single, continuous video. I really liked the song and started listening to more of NF’s music. I think that it’s interesting how he uses rap as an outlet for emotions rather than the generic, “Haha, look! Women! Money!”.
Source: Anzuoni, Mario. Newyorktimes.com, Reuters, 7 Aug. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/08/07/arts/music/nf-the-search-ybn-cordae-the-lost-boy-review.html.
Nate Feuerstein was born March 30th, 1991. He is known by his initials, NF, which are stylized as “ИF”. As a child, he lived with his mother (his parents were divorced) and her boyfriend until they were forced to leave because of the abuse the boyfriend was inflicting on Nate. His mother died in 2009 from a drug overdose. Nate dedicated his song, “How Could You Leave Us,” to her. (“NF (Rapper)”). Since producing his first independent album in 2010, NF has continued to make music and started working with producer Tommee Profitt (who is known for making cinematic songs and covers for movies). NF’s songs have been featured in many different ads and trailers for movies, TV shows, and video games. (McDermott)
Source: Feuerstein, Nate (NF). “@nfrealmusic.” July 17, 2019, 4:39 PM. Tweet.
In 2017, NF released his third album, Perception, which was produced by Tommee Profitt and David Garcia and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 (“NF Billboard”). The lead song on the album is “Intro III”. Nate wrote the lyrics himself, and he has said he feels the song is one of the best he has written. (Harding). The Intro III lyrics are meant to be read as Nate arguing with his fear. Intro III explores the premise that Nate’s career would be nothing without fear. He asks himself, “Do you really wanna get rid of your main attraction?”. This question refers to how most of Nate’s songs revolve around his trauma and his struggles with depression. Later in the song Nate starts to fight back, eventually metaphorically killing and burying the personification of his fear. (NF, Perception: Album Review”). In “Intro III,” The instrumentation is a lot more cinematic than in NF’s previous albums, which may reflect the influence of Tommee Profitt.
Source: Ngenradio.com, NGEN Radio, 12 July 2019, ngenradio.com/entertainment/nf-gets-real-about-marriage-on-new-song-time/.
After marrying his long-distance girlfriend in 2018, NF released his single, “The Search,” in 2019. The single was followed by an album of the same name. I considered writing this about “The Search”, but a lot of the lyrics are about suicide, and I honestly thought it would be too dark. But the song is amazing. Like “Intro III,” it allows you to channel some of your own anger or frustration. It will be interesting, and therapeutic, to continue to follow NF on his musical journey.
Works Cited
Harding, Amanda. “NF Is the Hottest Rapper You’ve Never Heard Of, But Not For
Long.” Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, 4 Sept. 2019,
not-for-long.html.
McDermott, Maeve. “Who Is NF, the Eminem-Soundalike Who Beat Chance the Rapper
for No. 1 Album This Week?” Www.Usatoday.Com, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2019,
“NF Billboard.” Www.Billboard.Com, Billboard, www.billboard.com/music/nf. Accessed 4
Oct. 2020.
“NF, Perception: Album Review.” Themusicalhype.Com, the musical hype,
www.themusicalhype.com/nf-perception-album-review. Accessed 1 Oct. 2020.
“NF (Rapper).” Wikipedia, Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NF_(rapper). Accessed 6
Oct. 2020.
“Therapy Session: MAP.” YouTube, uploaded by Peaches, 29 Nov. 2018,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKlLrtk_Zqw.
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