HOPE

"HOPE" by NF is a powerful and deeply personal anthem of transformation, self-acceptance, and the arduous journey of overcoming internal demons. The song serves as a declaration of a new era for the artist, moving from a place of darkness and self-doubt that characterized much of his earlier work to a new perspective rooted in hope and self-empowerment. The central message is one of personal growth and the conscious decision to take control of one's own narrative after years of struggle.

The lyrics unfold as an internal dialogue, a confrontation between NF's past self, often portrayed as a darker, more pessimistic entity, and his present self, who is striving for a more positive and hopeful existence. This internal conflict is a recurring theme in his music, but in "HOPE," there is a clear shift in the balance of power. The song is about NF finally taking "the reins" and refusing to be defined by his past trauma and negative thought patterns.

A significant portion of the song is dedicated to redefining the concept of success. NF rejects materialistic and superficial definitions, instead framing success as living authentically, standing up for one's beliefs, and having the courage to pursue one's passions despite fear and external pressure. This redefinition is a cornerstone of his newfound hope, as it allows him to measure his self-worth by his own standards, rather than those of the music industry or society at large.

The song also touches on themes of forgiveness and breaking generational cycles. NF's journey toward hope is intertwined with his experiences of becoming a father and his decision to forgive his mother for the pain of his childhood. These acts of healing are presented as essential steps in letting go of the baggage that has weighed him down and embracing a brighter future for himself and his family.

Ultimately, "HOPE" is a testament to the possibility of change and the resilience of the human spirit. It acknowledges that the path to healing is not easy and that it requires confronting one's deepest fears and regrets. However, the overarching message is one of optimism and empowerment, encouraging listeners to find their own definitions of success and to believe in their capacity for growth and transformation.

The song begins with a direct address, a conversation with a part of himself that has held him back for three decades. This internal monologue acknowledges a period of stagnation and broken promises, a feeling of being the reason for a lack of progress. There's a sense of frustration, yet also a plea for this other self not to feel like a failure, hinting at a complex relationship with his own past and perceived shortcomings. This dialogue introduces the central theme of a long-awaited change, a shift that has been prayed for and anticipated. The narrative voice asserts its newfound control, declaring that the upcoming musical era, the album itself, will be different, driven by a new perspective.

The song then poses a powerful question: "What's my definition of success?" The answer unfolds as a manifesto of personal values, a stark contrast to conventional measures of achievement. Success is defined not by wealth or fame, but by integrity, creativity, and resilience. It's about listening to one's heart, standing up for what is right even when it's unpopular, and having the courage to dream when others advise quitting. It's the ability to find the positive in dark times and to walk away from more lucrative but less fulfilling paths. This definition of success is deeply personal, rooted in authenticity and the courage to be oneself in a world that often demands conformity.

The lyrics delve into a period of deep self-reflection, acknowledging past mistakes and regrets. The artist speaks of carrying the weight of hatred and emotional baggage for years, of seeking validation from others and wishing to be someone else. This journey through past pain is crucial to the song's narrative of transformation. It's a candid admission of struggles that have shaped him, but which he is now determined to move beyond.

A significant turning point in the narrative is the experience of fatherhood. The act of holding his son becomes a powerful motivator for change. He vows to provide a different kind of upbringing, one free from the uncertainty and neglect he may have experienced. This newfound responsibility fuels his determination to be a better man and to break negative cycles. In a moment of profound healing, he explicitly forgives his mother, a theme that has been a source of pain in his previous work. This act of forgiveness signifies a major step in letting go of the past and embracing a future free from resentment.

The song culminates in a powerful declaration of self-empowerment. The repeated phrase "thirty years" emphasizes the long and arduous nature of his struggle with feelings of pain, shame, guilt, and fear. By vocalizing and rejecting these negative emotions, he is actively reclaiming his narrative. The internal battle between his old, darker self and his new, hopeful self comes to a head. The darker voice attempts to undermine his progress, but the hopeful voice ultimately prevails, asserting its control and taking the reins of his life and his art. The song ends on a triumphant note, not of complete victory, but of a decisive and hopeful shift in power.

"HOPE" was released on February 16, 2023, as the lead single and title track from NF's fifth studio album of the same name. The album itself was released on April 7, 2023. The song was written by NF (Nate Feuerstein) and his longtime collaborator Tommee Profitt. The production was handled by NF, Tommee Profitt, and Jeff Sojka. The official music video, which is integral to the song's narrative, was co-directed by NF and Patrick Tohill. The song marks a significant thematic shift in NF's music, moving from the darker, more introspective themes of his previous albums to a more optimistic and hopeful tone. This shift is intentional, as stated in the lyrics, where NF expresses the need to give his audience "something different." The album "HOPE" is NF's first studio album in four years, following 2019's "The Search," and his first project in two years since the 2021 mixtape "Clouds (The Mixtape)." The album's release was a significant event for his fanbase, and it debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart.

"HOPE" features a dynamic and intricate approach to rhyme and rhythm that serves to underscore its emotional journey.

Rhyme Scheme:

NF's rhyme scheme is complex and often deviates from simple, predictable patterns. He frequently employs multi-syllabic rhymes, internal rhymes, and slant rhymes to create a dense and lyrical texture. For instance, in the second verse, he rhymes "regret," "kept," and "left," and later, "validation" with "motivation." This sophisticated rhyming adds to the poetic quality of his lyrics and demonstrates his technical skill as a rapper.

Rhythm and Flow:

The song's rhythmic structure is notable for its dramatic shifts. It begins with a slower, more deliberate flow over a simple piano melody, allowing the listener to focus on the introspective lyrics. As the song builds, NF's delivery becomes more rapid-fire and aggressive, mirroring the rising emotional intensity. This change in pace is a hallmark of his style, creating a sense of urgency and passion. The interplay between his lyrical rhythm and the underlying musical rhythm is crucial to the song's impact. The staccato strings and pulsing beats in the latter half of the song provide a driving force for his increasingly powerful vocal performance. This culminates in a climactic section where his impassioned delivery rides over a grand, orchestral score, creating a powerful sense of triumph and release.

"HOPE" showcases a blend of literary and musical techniques that contribute to its emotional weight and narrative depth.

Literary Techniques:

• Internal Dialogue: The song is structured as an internal conversation between NF's hopeful present self and his darker past self. This is evident in the lyrics where he directly addresses "Nate" and in the music video where two versions of him interact.
• Rhetorical Questions: NF uses rhetorical questions, most notably "What's my definition of success?", to frame his personal manifesto and challenge conventional notions of achievement. This question is a direct callback to his earlier song "WHY," but this time he provides a resolute answer, demonstrating his growth.
• Anaphora: The repetition of the phrase "30 years of" at the song's climax creates a powerful, incantatory effect. It emphasizes the long duration of his struggles with various negative emotions before he finally casts them off.
• Symbolism and Metaphor: As detailed in the previous section, the song is built on a foundation of recurring symbols from his past work, creating a rich, intertextual narrative for longtime listeners.

Musical Techniques:

• Dynamic Contrast: The song is split into two distinct parts, moving from a sparse, piano-driven intro to a full-blown cinematic, orchestral arrangement. This dramatic shift in dynamics mirrors the lyrical journey from introspection to triumphant self-assertion.
• Cinematic Production: The production, handled by NF and his frequent collaborator Tommee Profitt, is characterized by its cinematic quality. It features staccato strings, pulsing vocal echoes, crescendos, and a layered, orchestral soundscape that builds tension and emotional intensity.
• Vocal Delivery: NF employs a range of vocal deliveries, from a measured, spoken-word style in the verses to a more aggressive and passionate flow as the song progresses. The contrast between his regular voice and the distorted, deeper voice of his "darker self" further enhances the theme of internal conflict.
• Tempo Changes: The song utilizes shifts in tempo to create dramatic effect and to complement the emotional arc of the lyrics.

Upon its release, "HOPE" was met with a positive reception, with critics and fans noting its cinematic quality and powerful message of personal growth. The song served as the lead single for the album of the same name, which achieved significant commercial success. The album "HOPE" debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, marking NF's third top-ten album. In its first week, the album sold 123,000 equivalent album units, with 80,500 of those being pure album sales, making it the top-selling album of the week. This strong chart performance underscored NF's dedicated and growing fanbase, who have long connected with his honest and introspective lyrical style. The music video for "HOPE" also garnered significant attention, quickly reaching the #1 trending spot on YouTube for music and accumulating millions of views, further highlighting the song's immediate impact. The song and the album signify a pivotal moment in NF's discography, showcasing a thematic evolution that was praised as a sign of his maturity as an artist.

NF's "HOPE" is rich with symbolism and metaphors, many of which are visually represented in the accompanying music video and tie into the larger narrative of his discography.

• The White and Black Attire: Throughout the music video, NF is depicted in two distinct outfits: one all in white and the other all in black. The NF in white represents his newfound hope, positivity, and his true self. Conversely, the NF in black symbolizes his past self, fear, doubt, and all his negative emotions. This visual dichotomy represents the central internal conflict of the song.
• The Mansion: The mansion is a recurring symbol in NF's work, first introduced in his album of the same name. It represents his mind, with each room containing a different traumatic memory or negative emotion. In the "HOPE" video, NF is pushed into the mansion by his darker self, signifying a forced confrontation with his past. His journey through the mansion and the rooms that reference his past albums (the cage from "Perception," the balloons from "The Search") symbolizes his process of healing and moving on from that pain.
• The Map to Hope: In the video, NF is seen with a map, a direct reference to a lyric in his song "The Search" where he says, "I'm lookin' for the map to hope, you seen it?" The fact that he now possesses the map signifies that he has found the hope he was looking for. However, the map is blank, suggesting that the path to hope is not predetermined and must be forged by oneself.
• The Ocean and the Raft: The music video opens with NF adrift on a raft in the middle of the ocean, a visual representation of his song "Drifting" and the feeling of being lost and hopeless. Reaching the shore symbolizes his arrival at a new, more stable and hopeful place in his life.
• The Balloons: The black balloons from his album "The Search" reappear, symbolizing the burdens and intrusive thoughts that he has carried.
• The Cage: The cage, a prominent image from his album "Perception," represents feeling trapped by his own mind and insecurities. In the "HOPE" video, his former self is seen inside the cage, indicating that he has now confined those aspects of himself.

"HOPE" is deeply interwoven with recurring phrases and motifs, both within the song itself and across NF's entire body of work, creating a cohesive and evolving narrative.

• "30 years": This phrase is repeated multiple times towards the end of the song, each time followed by a different negative emotion or experience ("30 years of pain," "30 years of shame," etc.). This repetition, a form of anaphora, serves as a powerful rhetorical device to emphasize the long and arduous struggle he has endured before reaching this turning point. It acts as a cathartic release, a casting off of decades of baggage.
• "What's my definition of success?": This question is a direct musical and lyrical motif from his 2018 song "WHY." In the earlier song, the question is left somewhat open-ended, reflecting his uncertainty. In "HOPE," he reclaims the question and provides a detailed, confident answer, symbolizing his personal growth and newfound clarity of purpose.
• Taking "the reins": The final line of the song, "I'm taking the reins," is a powerful declaration of self-control and empowerment. It serves as the ultimate conclusion to the internal battle depicted throughout the song, signifying that his hopeful self is now in charge. This motif of taking control is also a callback to his song "LOST," where he expressed the desire to "put the reins on" his thoughts.
• The Map to Hope: The physical map in the music video is a visual motif that directly references a line in his song "The Search." Its appearance in "HOPE" signifies the culmination of that search and the arrival at his desired destination.