Hope (NF album) explained

Hope
Type:studio
Artist:NF
Cover:NF - Hope.png
Released:April 7, 2023
Genre:
Length:49:31
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Clouds (The Mixtape)
Prev Year:2021

Hope is the fifth studio album by American rapper NF, released on April 7,2023 through Capitol Music, NF Real Music, and Virgin Music.[1] It was preceded by two singles: "Hope" and "Motto", with the third single "Happy" being released the same day as the album. It features guest appearances from Cordae and Julia Michaels. NF later announced a 47-stop world tour on March 30, 2023, in support of the album, with the former as a special guest.[2] It is his first album in four years since 2019's The Search, and his first project in two years since 2021's Clouds (The Mixtape).

Promotion

The album was announced on February 16, 2023, along with the title track and second single, and released along with the music video of the track "Happy" on April 7, 2023.[3] [4]

Critical reception

Critic Robin Murray of Clash wrote, "This is perhaps [NF's] most personal document yet, one that dares to deal with self-doubt and worthlessness in the public gaze. While some tracks hit harder than others,... it's a worthy attempt to look beyond the darkness, and embrace the light."

Khushboo Rathore from The Diamondback wrote, "As a whole, the album feels a little disorganized, but it's a positive turn on NF's usual content. It feels good to see him growing and becoming happy, and it gives me hope for my own future."[5]

An anonymous writer of Allmusic gave the album a 3.5 star rating, describing the album as "building upon the emotional struggles that informed 2016's Therapy Session and 2019's The Search with a sense that there is often a light at the end of a dark tunnel."

Commercial performance

Hope debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, selling 123,000 album-equivalent units, of which 80,500 were pure album sales. The album, which was blocked from the number one spot by country singer Morgan Wallen's One Thing at a Time, became NF's third top-ten album (and fourth top-ten project overall).[6]

Track listing

Notes

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[7] 2
Australian Hip Hop/R&B Albums (ARIA)[8] 1
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[9] 18
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[10] 1
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[11] 43
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[12] 15

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[13] 78
US Billboard 200[14] 1
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[15] 60

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Williams . Kyann-Sian . 2023-03-15 . NF announces new album 'Hope' with defiant new single 'Motto' . 2023-04-11 . . en-GB.
  2. NF Announces the Hope Tour With Special Guest Cordae. Billboard. Lamarre. Carl. March 30, 2023. April 10, 2023.
  3. Web site: NF's New Single 'HAPPY' Takes Listeners On A Relatable Emotional Journey . 2023-04-11 . . en.
  4. Web site: Musa . Hanen . 2023-03-14 . NF's Upcoming 'HOPE' Album . 2023-04-11 . . en-US.
  5. Web site: 2023-04-11 . Review: NF takes listeners on a vulnerable, soul-baring journey with 'HOPE' . 2023-05-09 . The Diamondback . en-US.
  6. Morgan Wallen's 'One Thing at a Time' Tops Billboard 200 for Sixth Straight Week. Billboard. Caulfield. Keith. April 16, 2023. April 19, 2023.
  7. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. April 17, 2023. April 14, 2023.
  8. Web site: ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Albums Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. April 17, 2023. May 5, 2023.
  9. Web site: 2023 15-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. April 14, 2023. April 14, 2023.
  10. Web site: NZ Top 40 Albums Chart. Recorded Music NZ. April 17, 2023. April 15, 2023.
  11. Web site: OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży: Albumy. ZPAV. pl. April 20, 2023. Select week 07.04.2023–13.04.2023..
  12. Web site: Veckolista Album, vecka 15. Sverigetopplistan. April 14, 2023.
  13. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2023. Ultratop. nl. January 7, 2024.
  14. Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 23, 2023.
  15. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 23, 2023.