Paid My Dues (NF song)

Last updated
"Paid My Dues"
NF - Paid My Dues.png
Single by NF
from the album Clouds (The Mixtape)
ReleasedDecember 3, 2019
Genre Hip hop
Length3:32
Label NF Real Music [1]
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Feuerstein
  • Profitt
  • Saint X
NF singles chronology
"Time"
(2019)		"Paid My Dues"
(2019)		"Chasing_Demo"
(2020)
Music video
"Paid My Dues" on YouTube

"Paid My Dues" is a song by American rapper NF. It was released on December 3, 2019 as the lead single from his first mixtape Clouds (2021). [1] Written and produced alongside Tommee Profitt and Saint X of Capital Kings, the song discusses NF's critics and their hypocrisy, showing how he made his path to success and overcoming obstacles that he faced along the way. A music video was released the same day as the song

Contents

Composition and lyrics

In the song, NF raps about the audacity for critics to have an opinion on his music and the criticism he receives, before criticizing them himself, stating "I read your article, it kinda hurt me / I don't know who hired you or what your friends say in your circle / But the fact that you released it tells me two things are for certain: / They get paid for trashin' people, I get paid 'cause I stay workin'". [2] He then continues by going into the topic of facing his battles, overcoming them, and working to produce the content that made him successful. It has a similar theme to his previous album, The Search, showing how he is lost and finding his way out. [3]

Critical reception

A contributor from Billboard says that he "kick[ed] the song into an even higher gear with his trademark rapid-fire delivery", [2] with Jonathan Currinn from CelebMix stating that "he certainly doesn't disappoint." [4]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal. [1]

Charts

Chart (2019)Peak
position
Canada Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales ( Billboard ) [5] 38
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [6] 30
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard ) [7] 6
US Digital Song Sales ( Billboard ) [8] 15
US Rap Digital Song Sales (Billboard) [9] 1
US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales (Billboard) [10] 3

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [11] Gold40,000‡
United States (RIAA) [12] Gold500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NF (rapper)</span> American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer (born 1991)

Nathan John Feuerstein, known by his initials NF, 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 in 2016 and the Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year in 2017.

<i>NF</i> (EP) 2014 EP by NF

NF is the second extended play by American rapper NF. Capitol Christian Music Group alongside Sparrow Records released the project on August 5, 2014. It was written and produced entirely with Tommee Profitt.

<i>Perception</i> (NF album) 2017 studio album by NF

Perception is the third studio album by American rapper NF. It was released on October 6, 2017, through Capitol Records alongside Caroline Records and NF's newly launched label NF Real Music. The album was entirely produced by American producers Tommee Profitt and David Garcia, and features a guest performance from American singer Ruelle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let You Down (NF song)</span> 2017 single by NF

"Let You Down" is a song performed by American rapper and songwriter NF and is his most successful song to date. It serves as the third single from his third studio album, Perception, released on September 14, 2017. Available for digital download and streaming, it also includes an audio video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommee Profitt</span> American songwriter and producer (born 1984)

Tommee James Profitt is an American songwriter and record producer.

"Lie" is a song by American rapper NF. It serves as the fourth single from his third studio album, Perception (2017), and was released on April 17, 2018, for digital download and streaming. It was written by NF alongside Mike Elizondo, Jr. and producer Tommee Profitt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why (NF song)</span> 2018 single by NF

"Why" is a song by American rapper NF, released on June 18, 2018 as the lead single from his fourth studio album The Search (2019). It was written and produced by NF himself, Tommee Profitt, and Saint X of Capital Kings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NF discography</span>

American rapper NF has released five studio albums and two EPs. His first major-label album, Mansion, was released on March 31, 2015. His second studio album, Therapy Session, was released on April 22, 2016, and peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fleurie (musician)</span> Musical artist

Lauren Strahm, better known by her stage name Fleurie, is an American musician from Nashville, Tennessee. Her first album, Love and War, was released on September 19, 2016. Songs from the album have been featured in Atypical, Cloak & Dagger, Reign, Bones, Pretty Little Liars, Saving Hope, Queen Sugar, Scream, Shadowhunters, and Station 19, among others. Fleurie toured internationally including headline dates in China and support dates with Owl City in Japan and South Korea in November 2018.

<i>I Know a Ghost</i> 2018 studio album by Crowder

I Know a Ghost is the third studio album by American Contemporary Christian musician Crowder. The album was released on November 9, 2018, via Sixsteps and Sparrow Records. The album features guest appearances by TAYA, Mandisa, Riley Clemmons, JR, and Social Club Misfits. Crowder collaborated with Tommee Profitt, Ed Cash, Solomon Olds, Brendon Coe, and Hank Bentley in the production of the album.

"If You Want Love" is a song by American rapper NF from his third studio album Perception (2017). It was written and produced by NF himself and Tommee Profitt. The song was released to mainstream radio on January 22, 2019 as the fifth single from the album.

"The Search" is a song by American rapper NF, released through Capitol Records on May 30, 2019, as the second single from the album of the same name. It was written and produced by NF alongside Tommee Profitt, and lyrically discusses the negative impact of fame and commercial success on NF's mental and physical health. A music video was released the same day as the song. It debuted at number 70 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When I Grow Up (NF song)</span> 2019 single by NF

"When I Grow Up" is a song by American rapper NF, released on June 27, 2019 as the third single from his fourth studio album The Search. Written and produced by NF and Tommee Profitt, it peaked at number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Leave Me Alone" is a song by American rapper NF from his fourth studio album The Search (2019). It was written and produced alongside Tommee Profitt and Cole "Saint X" Walowac of Capital Kings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Not My Baby</span> 2020 song by Inna

"Not My Baby" is a song by Romanian singer Inna, released for digital download as a single by Global Records on 3 April 2020. It was composed by Inna alongside Lara Andersson, Michelle Buzz, Junior Oliver Frid, and Fridolin Walcher, while the latter received credit as a producer under his stage name of Freedo. The song was noted as being a hi-NRG-inspired dance-pop, deep house, EDM and Europop track, as well as a departure from the experimental and gypsy music-influenced sound of Inna's Spanish studio album, Yo. Inna had already retransitioned to a more electronic production prior to the song with "Bebe" in 2019. The lyrics of the former delve on a toxic relationship with a selfish and untruthful partner.

Thomas MacDonald is a Canadian rapper and singer. He is known for his anti-establishment subject matter in his music, in which he also criticizes "woke" culture, herd behavior and groupthink. In 2024, he emerged as a figurehead of "MAGA rap", a Trumpist subgenre of hip hop.

"Clouds" is a song by American rapper NF, released on February 18, 2021 along with a music video. It is the second single from his mixtape of the same name, and was written and produced by NF and Tommee Profitt. The song has peaked at number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Lost" is a song by American rapper NF featuring fellow American rapper Hopsin, released on March 11, 2021 as the third and final single from the former's mixtape Clouds. The song was written by NF, Tommee Profitt, Saint X of Capital Kings, and Hopsin, while being produced by the former three. The latter's first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, it is lyrically about feeling lost and finding oneself.

"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.

"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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Credits / PAID MY DUES". Tidal . December 3, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "NF's 'Paid My Dues' Video: Watch". Billboard. December 4, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  3. ↑ "NF Stands Up For Himself in Surprise New Single and Music Video "PAID MY DUES"". Music Mayhem Magazine. December 3, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  4. ↑ Currinn, Jonathan (December 12, 2019). "DISCOVER: NF Drops New Single & Music Video "Paid My Dues"". CelebMix. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Chart History (Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. December 14, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  6. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  7. ↑ "NF Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  8. ↑ "NF Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Chart History (Rap Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. December 14, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  10. ↑ "NF Chart History (R&B/Hip Hop Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. December 21, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – NF – Paid My Dues". Music Canada . Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  12. ↑ "American single certifications – NF – Paid My Dues". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved October 6, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.