NF makes his major return with “HOPE.”
STREAM
TOP 5
5. MOTTO
Someone send Wale “MOTTO” ASAP!
In “MOTTO,” NF lets it be known that he rather stay true to himself than chase so-called success in the music industry. What I love about the song is how carefree and raw it sounds. Not only does NF rap with a style that is blunt and easy to consume, but the beat he does his work over feels just as playful as it feels fierce.
4. CAREFUL (Ft. Cordae)
Both NF and Cordae go f**king HAM in “CAREFUL” (Sorry for cussing, but I had to).
There aren’t many rappers in the game today that are hungrier than Cordae and NF; “CAREFUL” proves that. In the song, which is powered by this hard-hitting beat that has these slightly terrifying vibes, Cordae and NF rap about overcoming odds, protecting their family, feeling blessed, and taking risks. The two rappers throw nothing but haymakers throughout, sounding like they had nothing but gas flowing through their bodies (And I’m not talking flatulence either).
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3. HOPE
Do you know what “HOPE” feels like to me? An extra long and epic movie trailer.
“HOPE” has a whopping 42 million+ streams on Spotify; if I were to guess, at least 20 million of those views came from folks who had trouble trying to get out of their beds. What I think is unbelievably good about the track is the different faces it has. While it starts off sounding like a dramatic blues track that might win someone first place in a singing competition, it eventually morphs into something mighty, feverish, and riveting. Content-wise, in his verses, NF touches on dreaming big, finding success, and learning from his mistakes. I think the song sets the tone for the album in a great way.
2. MISTAKE
Who the f**k is cutting onions in this movie theatre?
If today were a bad day for me, I would be shedding serious tears right now while listening to this track. In “MISTAKE,” NF relies on emotional vocals and aggressive rap deliveries to speak on feeling unworthy and like a total f**k up to someone that means the world to him. I don’t know if it’s my old age, the piano-driven production, or the Michigan rapper’s vulnerable words, but this s**t took my soul for a ride.
1. GONE (Ft. Julia Michaels)
Beautiful music over everything.
I don’t care if you are a hip-hop, R&B, or booty music fan, if you have ears that are functioning properly, “GONE” should 100 percent resonate with you. The song boasts absolutely gorgeous melodies, soul-clinching vocal performances, and lyrical content that will strike a chord with anyone who is dealing with a confusing breakup. This song isn’t supposed to make you shed tears; it’s supposed to make you see the silver lining in s**t… You’ll probably still shed tears listening to it, though.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. HOPE (5/5)
2. MOTTO (4.5/5)
3, CAREFUL (Ft. Cordae) (4.5/5)
4. MAMA (4.5/5)
5. HAPPY (4.5/5)
6. PANDEMONIUM (4/5)
7. SUFFICE (4/5)
8. GONE (Ft. Julia Michaels) (5/5)
9. BULLET (4/5)
10. TURN MY BACK (4/5)
11. MISTAKE (5/5)
12. LET EM PRAY (4/5)
13. RUNNING (4.5/5)
RGM RATING
(B+)
Wow, what an experience. NF doesn’t disappoint when it comes to making music that you can feel in your mind, body, soul, and spirit. I’m not going to lie, I needed this s**t.
For those of you that aren’t familiar with NF, let me let you in on a secret: He’s like a Gospel Eminem. NF can rap his ass off, wears his heart on his sleeve, and usually does work over beats that have movie-like vibes. While Eminem usually likes to talk about killing his mother and s**t, NF actually talks about productive s**t like overcoming odds, staying motivated, and taking care of his family. I do think the two rappers are equally competitive, though. In HOPE, NF practically dishes out every feeling that he has within. There are moments in which he sounds angry, defeated, woke, happy, and extra gassed-up; all emotions that I think everyone should embrace. Though I think the project is a lot to take in (Like, I don’t recommend listening to it passively), I guarantee it will evoke emotions out of you that you didn’t know were there. That’s what the f**k real music is supposed to do.
Can I be honest with you for a second? OK, here I go: I think I like NF as a singer a little more than I like him as a rapper. Though I think he has flows for days and great confidence on the mic, I don’t think I’ve heard a bad melody out of him in my life. With that being said, songs like “HOPE,” “MOTTO,” “MAMA” and “CAREFUL” are all amazing hip-hop songs, but “GONE” and “MISTAKE” are just absolutely special to me. F**k it, let me stop the comparisons and say this: NF is a special artist that everyone has to listen to.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
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Nf went stupid on CAREFUL