NF - The Vibe Online

Nathan John Feuerstein (born March 30, 1991), known by his initials NF (stylized as ?F), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He has released two EPs, I'm Free (2012), and a self-titled EP in 2014 with Capitol CMG. His second and first major-label studio album, Mansion, was released on March 31, 2015. His third studio album, Therapy Session, was released on April 22, 2016, and peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard 200. His albums have earned several accolades, some of which include the Gospel Music Association Dove Award for Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year (Therapy Session) in 2016 and the Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year (Oh Lord) in 2017.

NF achieved mainstream popularity in 2017 with Perception; the album charted at number one in the United States and was certified platinum, while its third single, "Let You Down", reached number twelve on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and was a top-ten hit internationally. He achieved similar commercial success with his follow up The Search (2019). Clouds was released in 2021. Feuerstein's most recent album, Hope, released on April 7, 2023, also had commercial success and peaked at number 2 on the US Billboard 200.

Early life

Nathan John Feuerstein was born in Gladwin, Michigan, on March 30, 1991. He is the eldest of three and has two sisters. His parents divorced, and he was raised by his mother until his father had to take him away when her boyfriend abused him and one of his sisters. His mother died from an overdose of opioids in 2009, which led to him dedicating the song "How Could You Leave Us" to her. He graduated from Gladwin High School in 2009, and was on the school's basketball team. NF started his career at the Fine Arts Festival, organized by Connection Church in Canton, Michigan.

Career

Feuerstein has stated that during his childhood, hip hop was an escape for him. He would record songs on a karaoke machine, recording instrumentals on one microphone and his rhymes on the other. On November 29, 2010, Feuerstein independently released his debut studio album Moments under his real name. On August 2, 2011, he released his debut single "Alone". The song featured songwriter and producer Tommee Profitt and Brooke Griffith. In 2012, Feuerstein's work attracted the attention of Xist Music. On May 2, 2012, he released his debut extended play I'm Free with production work from Profitt. The tracklist consisted of nine songs including "Alone". The EP also included an exclusive version of "Alone" featuring Sean Simmonds. Xist teased for the release of the self-titled extended play NF, but Feuerstein parted ways with the label after a dispute and the production of NF was postponed. Despite this, NF featured a song, "Only One", featuring Shuree Williams, in the label's compilation album, Move Vol 1.

He released a single, "Beautiful Addiction", on November 4, 2013. The song again featured an appearance from Profitt, as well as vocals from Brady Schmitz and Danielle Swift.

Feuerstein signed with Capitol Christian Music Group in 2014, before the release of the EP NF. This project was his breakthrough release on the Billboard, as it charted on the Christian Albums chart at No. 12, on the Top Gospel Albums at No. 4, and on the Top Rap Albums at No. 15. This extended play was reviewed by Jesus Freak Hideout and New Release Tuesday, receiving two three-and-a-half-star reviews. CCM Magazine reviewed the EP and awarded it four stars. His first studio album, Mansion, was released on March 31, 2015, by Capitol CMG.

"Intro", the lead single from Mansion, is included in the video game Madden NFL 16. NF's songs have been played on ESPN, VH1, Showtime, NBC's Chicago P.D., Grimm, Shades of Blue, a trailer for an Apex Legends update and in the season finale trailer of Fox's Empire. His music video for "Intro" premiered on MTV.com's homepage, and the video has also appeared on MTVU, AbsolutePunk, 2DOPEBOYZ, Raps & Hustles and The College Dropouts.

NF's songs "I Just Wanna Know" and "Real" were released on April 8, 2016, and on April 22, 2016, respectively, as singles from his second studio album Therapy Session, released on April 22, 2016. "Warm Up" was released as a non-album single on September 8, 2016.

On October 6, 2017, NF released his third studio album, Perception. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making it his first chart-topping album and the second artist in 2017 to release a No. 1 album without having charted on the Hot 100. The next week, "Let You Down" became his first single to chart on the Hot 100, debuting at 87. It became a sleeper hit, taking 17 weeks to reach its peak at No. 12. After the success of Perception, he announced he would begin touring mid-2018 with rappers Logic and Kyle. It was certified platinum?selling over 1,000,000 units?by the RIAA on January 11, 2019.

His song "Destiny" is included in the video game MLB The Show 18.

In 2018, NF released the non-album single "No Name" on January 19. Later, he would release the song "Why", the first single preceding his fourth studio album.

On May 30, 2019, he released the title track of the album "The Search". He would later release two more singles, "When I Grow Up" on June 27, and "Time" on July 12. The Search was released on July 26.

On December 3, 2019, Feuerstein released the single "Paid My Dues", as well as a music video for the song.

In October 2020, NF returned with the non-album single "Chasing_(Demo)", after sharing a snippet of it online. The song features 15-year-old Australian fan Mikayla Sippel, who uploaded a cover of it, which inspired NF to officially release the song after being "blown away" by her version.

On February 18, 2021, NF released the single "Clouds", alongside a music video, and announced his mixtape of the same name, which was scheduled for a March 26, 2021, release. The mixtape included "Paid My Dues", as well as guest appearances from rappers Hopsin (Lost/LOST) and Tech N9ne (Trust/TRUST), followed by a third single, "Lost" featuring Hopsin, released on March 11, 2021. On March 26, 2021, Clouds (The Mixtape) was released.

After a year-long absence from music, NF released a single "Hope" on February 16, 2023, announcing his fifth studio album of the same name. He released another single entitled "Motto" on March 9, 2023. Hope was released on April 7, 2023, along with the music video for the single "Happy".

Artistry

Feuerstein has credited Eminem as his prime influence in hip hop, claiming that at one point that was all he listened to. Feuerstein has also credited Adele and Ed Sheeran as influences to his music style and instrumental components. NF's style has also been compared to Logic and Machine Gun Kelly. Although he found his musical upbringing in Christian hip-hop, Feuerstein has denied his label as a Christian rapper, saying "I'm a Christian, but I don't make Christian music. You're not going to reach everyone with just one point of view. I write about things I'm actually dealing with. You don't have to be Christian to relate to them."

In 2013, Feuerstein appeared on Christian hip-hop artist Flame's album Royal Flush on the track "Start Over". In 2015, his features on TobyMac's This Is Not a Test track "Til the Day I Die" and Marty's Marty For President track "The One With My Friends" gained him fame and recognition in the Christian hip-hop genre. Feuerstein's 2017 collaboration with Futuristic, "Epiphany", enhanced his career in the secular hip hop industry.

Tours

Therapy Session Tour (2017)
Perception Tour (2018)
Perception World Tour (2018)
The Search Tour (2019)
Clouds Tour (2021)
Hope Tour (2023-24)

Personal life

Family and relationships

Feuerstein began dating Bridgette Doremus in 2015. They married in September 2018 after three years of dating. Their first child, a son, was born in August 2021. Their second child, a daughter, was born in December 2023.

Mental health

Feuerstein was diagnosed with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) after the Perception tour in 2018. After the tour, he revealed that he was not well mentally and admitted himself into therapy where he was diagnosed. Feuerstein also has a history with depression and anxiety. Feuerstein has been very open about his mental health and translates his battles into his music. Talking about mental health and personal struggles is what makes his music appealing to his fan base. With his most recent album, Hope, Feuerstein claimed that his OCD had made it harder to produce an album, with Hope taking over a year and a half to create. He became fixated on the music, which made it harder to make a song that he enjoyed. As a result, Feuerstein has consulted a therapist specializing in OCD.