NF is the stage name of rapper and composer Nate Feuerstein from Gladwin, Michigan. Feuerstein endured a hardship-filled childhood in which his parents divorced, his mother's boyfriend physically abused him, and his mother eventually killed herself. Music was his escape, and he began recording songs on a karaoke machine, with instrumentals on one microphone and his raps in the other. Placing second in a nationwide Fine Arts Festival rap competition in 2008, and first in Michigan the following year, he independently released a debut album, Moments, in 2010. The album attracted the attention of Xist Music, which signed him to a recording deal in 2012, by which time Feuerstein had taken on the stage name NF. The label announced the release of an EP that same year, but it never appeared, and NF and Xist parted ways. NF spent the next two years looking for a label and working with local producer Tommee Profitt in his studio; they came up with the song "Wake Up," which convinced Capitol Christian Music Group to sign him. CMG released a six-song (including a Manny Marroquin remix of "Wake Up") self-titled EP late in the summer of 2014. His debut album, Mansion, was released in early 2015 and reached number 62 on the Billboard 200 while topping the Christian Albums chart. The aptly titled Therapy Session followed in 2016 and also topped the Christian Albums chart with its raw emotions and honest lyrics.
(Taken from Genius nf page)
Nf’s song: real, is written as a response for haters. He talks about his passion for music, and how he feels overlooked. NF is also taking an intensely competitive aim at other rappers. There are no chorus just rapid fire bars daring other rappers to try this.
A look into the lyrics.
Somebody get the body bags—
We gon' put the beats in 'em, nah—
Put the MC’s in ‘em, season 'em
Put 'em on a beat with me, then I’m eating ‘em
Nf cleveraly describes his capabilities to beat every rapper in the game. He’s giving them an opportunity to fight back instead of hating on his music. But in the end he will win.
That last album was heavy
That last album was gritty
How you gon' match that?
Just let me do what I do best
People are listening to Nf because of Grittiness and heavy emotion in his songs. Here he talks about the critics surrounding his next album. How is he ever going to match his last album? Nf reassured the listener, that he’s the best at this.
You wanna know where my heart is?
I stand out, 'cause I wear my garbage
I work my hardest and every time I look into the mirror
I don't forget about where I started, woo!
People keep judging others by their mistakes, this is where Nf shows that he has made mistakes too, but he should not be judge by them, only motivated to work harder. Nf’s ‘’garbage’’ is there to show he’s hardworking and persistent. The last line gives us listener a clap on the shoulder. He won’t have forgotten about us. Because it all starts with us.
Conclusion
Nf is an overlooked rapper, and people really slept on him. He proves in this song that he should be mainstream! That it doesn’t matter how hard he work for it, he’s going to get it. Even if he makes mistakes on the way there, then he’s sure he will come out stronger.
Hopefully this gave you an idea of who NF is, and why you should check him out!