NF returns today with “HOPE,” the lead single and title track off his forthcoming fifth album. The Christian rapper (but maybe not Christian rapper) has placed two straight albums at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and given the speed with which “HOPE” has risen to No. 1 on the Genius Top Songs chart, it seems likely he’s headed for another big seller.
Produced by Tommee Profitt, Jeff Sojka, and NF himself, “HOPE” is about exactly what the title suggests. Over twinkling piano that eventually gives way to sweeping strings, the MC born Nate Feuerstein champions the power of positive thinking. In the first verse, he raps from the perspective of his own hopefulness, which has been dormant for too long.
I know this hurts
But I gave you your chance to deliver
Now it’s my turn
Don’t get me wrong
Nate, you’ve had a great run
But it’s time to give the people something different
Later in the first verse, NF alludes to some of the hardships he’s faced in his life. He was abused as a child by his mother’s boyfriend, and then in 2009, his mother died of a drug overdose. Music was an escape for the Michigan native, just as it was for Eminem, his biggest influence.
Was a lost soul at a crossroad who had no hope, but I changed that
I spent years of my life holdin’ on to things I never should’ve kept, full of hatred
Years of my life carryin’ a lot of baggage that I should’ve walked away from
In the second verse, NF reveals that having a child changed his perspective on life. He elaborates on this idea in the outro, where he also addresses his late mother directly.
Wake up every day and pick my son up
Hold him in my arms and let him know he’s loved (Loved)
Standing by the window, questioning if dad is ever going to show up (Up)
Isn’t something he’s goin’ to have to worry ’bout
Don’t get it twisted, that wasn’t a shot
Mama, I forgive you
Down the stretch, the hopeful side of NF’s personality does battle with the dark one. The song’s music video illustrates this internal struggle rather literally, as one NF dressed in all white tangles with another dressed in black.
(You’ll never evolve) I know I can change
(We are not enough) We are not the same
(You don’t have the heart) You don’t have the strength
(You don’t have the will) You don’t have the faith
(You’ll never be loved, you’ll never be safe
Might as well give up) Not running away
HOPE is due on April 7. You can read all the lyrics to “HOPE” on Genius now.
