Hope (NF song)
| "Hope" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by NF | ||||
| from the album Hope | ||||
| Released | February 16, 2023 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:24 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| NF singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Hope" on YouTube | ||||
"Hope" is a song by American rapper NF, released on February 16, 2023 as the lead single from his fifth studio album of the same name. Written with Tommee Profitt, the two produced it with Jeff Sojka.
Composition[edit]
"Hope" is split into two parts. The song begins with "plucky" piano chords before segueing into staccato stringed instruments and a pulsing echo of voices in the background,[1] and features tempo changes and crescendos.[2] Lyrically, the song deals with NF overcoming his internal conflicts,[1][3] as he raps about topics such as faith, fatherhood, pain and success,[2] especially on trusting one's gut and being authentic while still holding onto the best qualities of oneself. In the second part, he reflects on his past self and focuses on being a voice of reason without giving up the qualities of who he once was.[1]
Critical reception[edit]
Wonderland gave a positive review of the song: "'Hope' is dramatic and cinematic, expertly crafted in its build up to a rousing climatic. NF brings the nuanced delivery and thoughtful lyricism that we have grown to love from him."[4]
Music video[edit]
The official music video, released on the same day as the song, was directed by NF and Patrick Tohill. It opens with NF stranded on a wooden raft in the middle of an ocean and in an all-white outfit,[1][2][5] rapping as he finds his way to the shore. Later, a clone of himself clothed entirely in black misguides NF around the island before mocking him and pushing him through the roof of an abandoned mansion.[1][5] Wandering through, NF confronts a different version of himself in every room he enters, each of them representing NF during a particular era of his musical career. He is eventually transported to a mountain top, looking lost as he raps.[1][2]
Charts[edit]
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[6] | 42 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[7] | 40 |
| Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[8] | 82 |
| Germany (Official German Charts)[9] | 73 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[10] | 64 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[11] | 49 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[12] | 61 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[13] | 7 |
| Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[14] | 89 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[15] | 54 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[16] | 48 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[17] | 49 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[18] | 16 |
Certifications[edit]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[19] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f Lorge, Melinda (February 16, 2023). "NF Releases New Single "HOPE," Announces 13-Track Album". Music Mayhem Magazine. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d Bourne, Kevin (February 16, 2023). "NF Wrestles With Himself On His New Single And Music Video "Hope"". Shifter Magazine. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ Robles, Jonathan (February 16, 2023). "NF is at war with himself in the video for his gripping new single 'Hope'". Variance. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ "Don Toliver, IAMDDB and Krept & Konan Star In Wonderlist". Wonderland. 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ a b Saponara, Michael (February 16, 2023). "NF Goes On A Quest For 'Hope' With New Single & Album Announcement". HipHopDX. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ "NF – Hope" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
- ^ "NF Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 20238 into search. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ "NF – Hope" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- ^ "NF Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography NF". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- ^ "NF – Hope" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 20238 into search. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ "NF – Hope". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- ^ "NF Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ "NF Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ "American single certifications – NF – Hope". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 31, 2023.