Paid My Dues (NF song) explained

Paid My Dues
Cover:NF - Paid My Dues.png
Type:single
Artist:NF
Album:Clouds (The Mixtape)
Released:December 3, 2019
Genre:Hip hop
Length:3:32
Label:NF Real Music
Prev Title:Time
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:Chasing_Demo
Next Year:2020

"Paid My Dues" is a song by American rapper NF, released on December 3, 2019 as the lead single from his first mixtape Clouds (2021).[1] It was 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. This is currently NF's fastest song at 9.2 syllables per second at its fastest point, until the release of TRUST ft. Tech N9ne.

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", with Jonathan Currinn from CelebMix stating that "he certainly doesn't disappoint."[4]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.

Charts

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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Credits / PAID MY DUES. December 3, 2019. Tidal. en. May 6, 2020.
  2. Web site: NF's 'Paid My Dues' Video: Watch. December 4, 2019. Billboard. May 6, 2020.
  3. Web site: NF Stands Up For Himself in Surprise New Single and Music Video "PAID MY DUES". December 3, 2019. Music Mayhem Magazine. en-US. May 6, 2020.
  4. Web site: DISCOVER: NF Drops New Single & Music Video "Paid My Dues". Currinn. Jonathan. December 12, 2019. CelebMix. en-GB. May 6, 2020.
  5. Web site: Chart History (Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales). December 14, 2019. Billboard. May 6, 2019.
  6. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. December 9, 2019. December 9, 2019.
  7. Web site: Chart History (Rap Digital Song Sales). December 14, 2019. Billboard. May 6, 2019.
  8. Web site: NF Chart History (R&B/Hip Hop Digital Song Sales). December 21, 2019. Billboard. May 6, 2019.