"Motto" is a song by American rapper NF. Written and produced alongside Tommee Profitt, it was released on March 9, 2023, as the second single from his fifth studio album Hope.
| "Motto" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by NF | ||||
| from the album Hope | ||||
| Released | March 9, 2023 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 3:37 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
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| NF singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Motto" on YouTube | ||||
Composition and lyrics
editIn the lyrics, NF reflects on the choices he made in the course of his career,[1] particularly his refusal to follow conventional ways to become a celebrity in music[2][3] (such as rejecting the desires of his record label)[4] and having been successful nevertheless from his own career path of focusing on authenticity rather than fame,[1] while also poking fun at the music industry and Hollywood.[1][3] Between rapping and singing, NF declares in the chorus, "You might see me in the same clothes I had on last week, am I ashamed? No. You heard the saying if it ain't broke, don't fix it that's my motto."[2][3]
Music video
editThe music video was directed by Patrick Tohill and NF and was released alongside the single.[3] Shot in Nashville, Tennessee, it features the appearances of nearly a thousand fans of NF from around the world who volunteered as extras in the shoot.[1][5] The video sees NF attending a mock industry awards show,[2][5] sporting an all-beige tracksuit paired with a hat and shoes of the same color while everyone else is dressed formally. He causes trouble there, such as poking fun at others as he walks the red carpet, running in circles around other attendees, stealing the mic from a reporter, and standing in the way of the camera lens.[1] Certain scenes recreate lyrics from the song, such as when NF props up his feet and chomps down popcorn in the middle of the room ("Might catch me at the award show / Eatin' popcorn in the back row"). At the end of the video, he is dragged out by security before noticing a man watching him while drinking from a cup (the same boy from NF's "When I Grow Up" video who had watched his concert while he was an underground artist), who gives him a brief wave.[1][2]
Charts
edit| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[6] | 83 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[7] | 89 |
| Netherlands (Single Tip)[8] | 21 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[9] | 12 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[10] | 73 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[11] | 2 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12] | 29 |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Lorge, Melinda (March 10, 2023). "NF Forges His Own Path On His Own Terms With New Single "MOTTO"". Music Mayhem Magazine. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d Longs, Herb (March 9, 2023). "NF Debuts "MOTTO" Single & Music Video". The Christian Beat. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d Schmitt, Tyler (March 9, 2023). "NF mocks music industry games with humorous new single 'Motto'". Variance. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- ^ Murray, Robin (March 13, 2023). "NF Claims His Independence On 'MOTTO'". Clash. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- ^ a b Williams, Kyann-Sian (March 15, 2023). "NF announces new album 'HOPE' with defiant new single 'Motto'". NME. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- ^ "NF Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography NF". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
- ^ "Dutch Single Tip 15/04/2023". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
- ^ "NF Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
- ^ "NF Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2023.