In March 2023, the American rapper NF released a song titled Motto that was to be his last single. After the title track, there are two singles to be found from Hope, representing two different stages of the artist’s life, one being the first, and the other being the second.
He feels now that he has done all the right things in regard to his self-growth, having looked at the future with hope and confidence, now that after years of pessimism, he feels like he is able to view the future with hope and confidence. The song “Motto” is his updated interpretation of how he was treated in the rap world throughout the course of his career.
In Motto, the rapper NF and the American rap scene are depicted as having a complicated relationship, which is partially explained in the lyrics. This song covers a topic that NF has often addressed throughout his career: his dissatisfaction with the music industry’s neglect, marginalization, and inability to participate in the limelight of the industry.
It is suggested that he should change his approach in order to be a part of the industry, and NF always suggests doing so. In spite of this, NF did not accept any compromises; he always followed his instincts in opposition to everyone, which resulted in him being the successful and independent artist he is today.
Accordingly, the motto in the title represents the philosophy that has guided his career to date: “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” Which simply means that as long as something is working, nothing needs to be changed.
Motto Song Lyrics NF
I could write a record
full of radio songs
Do a bunch of features
that my label would love
Do a bunch of features
that I don’t even like-
Just to build up the hype, yeah
I could sell my house
and move out to LA
Get inside of rooms with
the biggest of names
Hire fifty people just to give
me advise on the way I should write
Oh God!
Yeah, sounds like a
nightmare, if you ask me
Yeah, went from my bedroom
to the big leagues
You know how many times
that I was told things-
Wouldn’t work, but worked out,
having cold feet
Didn’t keep me from success,
but delayed it some
I used to be the guy who’d
kill to get a number one
I had to hear “that song’s a hit!”
before I thought it was
But nowadays I don’t
really give a— (What?!)
Oh God! (Yeah)
Might catch me at the award show-
Eatin’ popcorn in the back row
Catchin’ Zs with my hat low
No nominations, but it’s cool though
Oh God
You might see me in the same clothes-
I had on last week, am I ashamed? No
Yeah, you heard the sayin’
“If it ain’t broke,
don’t fix it”, that’s my motto
Yeah, I miss buyin’
CDs at the store
And thumbin’ through the
cases tryin’ to make a choice
Yeah, that doesn’t make no
sense to you? Well of course
See, one man’s inconvenience
is another’s joy
Wow, wow, how are you unemployed?
Telling me to get a life,
you should look at yours
Yup, congratulations,
you can raise your voice
Hope you break both of your
legs fallin’ off your horse
(Oh, snap) This is the industry
Where it ain’t how big you are,
it’s how big you seem
Where people sacrifice the
art tryna chase a dream
Then they wonder why
they music’s lackin’ creativity
Oh, yeah, would’ve gave anything
To be respected by the
artist I was listening-
To, but not no more,
them days are history
Skip the red carpet,
you lookin’ for me?
Oh God! (Yeah)
You might catch me at the award show-
Eatin’ popcorn in the back row
Catchin’ Zs with my hat low
No nominations, but it’s cool though
Oh God
You might see me in the same clothes-
I had on last week, am I ashamed? No
Yeah, you heard the sayin’
“If it ain’t broke, don’t
fix it”, that’s my motto
Got my feet propped up
Leave my shirts untucked
I’m the boss, so what?
I do what I want
Oh God
You got the trophy, that’s great
I’m happy for you, no hate
Still got a smile on my face
Chillin’ in the back like “Ayy”
Oh God!
Yeah, you might catch
me at the award show
Eatin’ popcorn in the back row
Catchin’ Zs with my hat low
No nominations, but it’s cool though
Oh God
You might see me in the same clothes-
I had on last week, am I ashamed? No
Yeah, you heard the sayin’
“If it ain’t broke, don’t
fix it”, that’s my motto
(Woah-oh)
(Woah-oh)
(Woah-oh)
(Woah-oh)
NF Motto Video