NF Gives Definitive Answers on His Faith & Christian Rap Roots

One of the most frequent gripes we get at Rapzilla is from people who don’t understand why we post about NF. The comments range from “he’s not a Christian,” “he hates CHH,” and “he doesn’t want to take part in it,” and we get it. However, for a large Christian base that still supports him, it’s important. And honestly, after his latest interview, it’s important to him too.

NF rarely does interviews and even still doesn’t open up too much. Why would he dwell on the worn topics of people saying “Oh, so you’re a Christian rapper” or “So Eminem…” but in his latest interview, he did precisely that, but with some substance. Credit goes out to the interviewer for framing the questions and story in a way that made these old topics interesting.

In fact, NF had quite a bit to say about being a Christian and coming from the Christian hip-hop world. We’re going to give you the cliff notes, but you can read the full article on the UK-based publication The Guardian here.

NF is signed to a Christian record label (Capitol CMG), came up in the Christian music scene, and often references God in his music. However, he rejects the label of “Christian rapper” because he doesn’t feel that his music fits into that category anymore. As he grew as an artist, he found that he didn’t like it. He felt that his outlook didn’t align with other artists in the scene.

“It’s not where I see myself today,” he said in the interview.

NF’s first two albums after signing with a record label both charted at No. 1 in the US Christian charts. The rapper explained that it’s not that he didn’t want to be with a mainstream label, but that it was all he knew at the time. While his music does reference God, he felt that his music’s content didn’t fit with other artists in the Christian music industry.

“It feels sometimes like the end of songs have to have this great, positive ending. I wasn’t there. My music didn’t fit, because I didn’t feel that way.”

According to the article, NF admitted he sees himself as a rapper who is Christian and references his faith in his work. This goes against the notion of everyone saying “he is not a Christian.” His music is not intended to be for the church.

He continued, “I’m not a worship artist. That’s not my music’s purpose. I don’t think I’m a preacher. I want anyone to listen to my music, [whether they] believe in God or not.”

He further pushes his point across with this quote:

“There are tons of details I could give you about things that didn’t make sense. People used God as an excuse for why they didn’t do their jobs well … If you’re playing a show at a church, it’s not really your show. You’re an entertainer. At church shows, people turn up, but it’s not for you.”

You can still find God in NF’s lyrics even if it isn’t as blatant. His newest album HOPE sees a shift toward positivity in his music. The birth of a child will do that for you. However, his music mostly deals with darkness and pain. He references suicide, loss, and anguish. Much of it is done in a way that CHH is only just starting to catch up to now. It’s why he’s slapped with the monicker “real music” and so many relate. Everything is not sunshine and rainbows with a neat bow tied at the end.

“In the Christian world, everyone wants to pretend everything is OK.”

Despite distancing himself from the Christian music scene, NF is still comfortable talking about his faith and religion. He believes that everything in the world works together and sees evidence of God’s creation in the natural world. As an artist, he believes that his purpose is to make music, and he plans to continue doing that.

He also gave shout-outs to Lecrae, Andy Mineo, and LA’s Gospel Gangstaz as artists who influenced him.

NF then ends with this funny quote:

“Everything in the world works together,” the article states he said with a smile. “Like, animals taking a dump and using it to grow more food? It’s crazy bro. Babies being born. God had to create that … I’m sure every artist says this,” he says, ‘but I really need music. I believe in God I think we all have a purpose: as human beings, we need one; a reason to exist. I think my purpose on this planet is to make music. So that’s what I’ll do.”

Listen to NF Below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries