NF broke down in tears while paying tribute to his late mother with a performance of “MAMA.”
The chart-topping Christian rapper kicked off his first-ever headlining arena stint, dubbed the HOPE Tour, on Wednesday evening (July 12) in Columbus, Ohio at the Schottenstein Center and during his 21-song set he performed “MAMA,” a song that serves as a tribute to his late mother.
In the midst of his headlining set after performing “Hate Myself,” the stage backdrop suddenly transformed into a montage of personal family footage, featuring clips of NF and his family (including his mom and dad), just before he launched into the song “MAMA.” The family footage continued to flood the backdrop throughout his several-minute performance of the track, which the sold-out arena helped him sing.
While performing the heartfelt tune, NF, whose real name is Nathan Feuerstein, couldn’t control his emotions and his voice cracked while singing the final verse of the track.
“I pray you see me down here lookin’ up / Still got a lot of things that I need healing from / But I’ll get there eventually, so don’t you worry none / I just hope you finally got some peace…” NF rapped before he pulled the microphone away from his face and put his head into his lap as he broke down in tears.
His loyal fan base showcased their support for the emotional moment as they cheered him on and chanted his name.
Watch NF’s Emotional Performance Of “MAMA” Below
Fans took to social media after his performance of “MAMA” and praise his vulnerability.
“So proud of NF tonight. Going from singing ‘Hate Myself’ to ‘Mama’ springs a lot of emotions… man I was in tears, couldn’t even finish the verse,” one fan wrote on Twitter, while another added, “NATE BROKE DOWN DURING MAMA” and “hate myself… then mama… I CANT.”
“MAMA” marks the second instance where NF directly addresses his late mother. In contrast to the anger and pain expressed in his 2016 Therapy Session track “How Could You Leave Us,” “MAMA” takes on a hopeful and forgiving tone. NF offers prayers, expressing his desire for his mother to have found peace in the end.
“I think ‘MAMA’ is gonna be huge. A really impactful song in a positive way,” NF recently told Wonderland Magazine before explaining, “If you follow my story, I just think it’s gonna be cool to see the growth. My last song about my mom was like, six or seven years ago and I think it’s gonna be cool for fans to hear that story. You’re always learning and growing. I feel like that song is powerful. Like, it’s still emotional, but it’s weird, it’s kind of like a happy emotion. I don’t know how to describe it.”
NF’s New Album, HOPE
Co-written by NF alongside Tommee Profitt and Cole Walowac, “MAMA” is a track that appears on NF’s latest album, HOPE, which arrived on April 7, 2023 via NF Real Music/Virgin Music/Capitol Music. The 13-track project, produced by NF, David Garcia, Saint X and Tommee Profitt, also features “MOTTO,” “Happy,” “Hope,” and the fan-favorite tune “Pandemonium” as well as collaborations with Julia Michaels (“GONE”) and rapper Cordae (“CAREFUL”).
HOPE follows the release of NF’s platinum-selling fourth studio album, The Search (2019), as well as the critically acclaimed projects Perception (2017), Therapy Session (2016), his major label debut, Mansion (2015) and Moments (2010).
The new project, which also follows 2021’s Clouds (The Mixtape), debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart with over 123,000 album-equivalent units sold of which 80,500 were pure album sales. The album became NF’s third top 10 album and his fourth top 10 project overall.
“HOPE”
He first announced the project in February of 2023 when he released the album’s title track, “HOPE.” The tune finds NF confronting his inner struggles directly, determined to uphold the most authentic version of himself, as he navigates the challenges of maintaining his faith and embracing fatherhood.
“Thirty years of running, thirty years of searching / Thirty years of hurting, thirty years of pain / Thirty years of fearful, thirty years of anger / Thirty years of empty, thirty years of shame,” he raps on the track. “You’ll never evolve, I know I can change / We are not enough, we are not the same / You don’t have the heart, you don’t have the strength / You don’t have the will, you don’t have the faith / You’ll never be loved, you’ll never be safe / Might as well give up, not running away / You don’t have the guts, you’re the one afraid / I’m the one in charge / I’m taking the— (No) / I’m taking the / Reins.”
At the time, NF also dropped the music video for the tune, which was directed by Feuerstein with frequent collaborator Patrick Tohill. In the clip, NF is seen standing on a wooden raft amidst a vast body of water, symbolizing his struggle with personal demons. He battles his inner turmoil as he makes his way towards the shore, only to be dragged down into an abandoned home, representing his internal struggles. The video captures moments of NF appearing lost and reflective atop a mountain, symbolizing his contemplation of his past self and the journey he has undertaken. Through powerful imagery, the video portrays NF’s emotional journey and the quest for hope in the face of adversity.
HOPE Tour
NF is currently in the midst of his first-ever arena tour, which kicked off on Wednesday, July 12 at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio.
The massive world tour comes in support of the Michigan-born rapper and producer’s latest project, HOPE, and will find NF visiting North America, Canada, Europe, and the U.K. The 47-date trek will visit major U.S. cities, including Philadelphia, Nashville and more before heading overseas and concluding on Sunday, October 15, at the Eventim Apollo in London, UK.
U.S. And Canada Tour Dates
July
14 — Rosemont, IL — Allstate Arena
15 — Minneapolis, MN — Target Center
16 — Lincoln, NE — Pinnacle Bank Arena
18 — Grand Rapids, MI — Van Andel Arena
20 — Newark, NJ — Prudential Center
21 — Boston, MA — Agganis Arena
22 — Philadelphia, PA — The Liacouras Center
24 — Greensboro, NC — Greensboro Coliseum Complex
25 — Huntsville, AL — Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center
26 — Nashville, TN — Bridgestone Arena
28 — Orlando, FL — Addition Financial Arena ^
29 — Duluth, GA — Gas South Arena
31 — North Little Rock, AR — Simmons Bank Arena
August
1 — Tulsa, OK — BOK Center
2 — Fort Worth, TX — Dickies Arena
4 — Glendale, AZ — Desert Diamond Arena
5 — Anaheim, CA — Honda Center
6 — San Francisco, CA — Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
8 — Portland, OR — Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9 — Seattle, WA — WAMU Theater
11 — Salt Lake City, UT — Vivint Arena *
12 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena
23 — Vancouver, BC — Rogers Arena
25 — Calgary, AB — Scotiabank Saddledome
26 — Edmonton, AB — Rogers Place
27 — Saskatoon, SK — SaskTel Centre
29 — Winnipeg, MB — Canada Life Centre
September
1 — Toronto, ON — Scotiabank Arena
2 — Ottawa, ON — Canadian Tire Centre
3 — Laval, QC — Place Bell
^Without support from Cordae
Europe And U.K. Tour Dates
September
23 — Milan, Italy — Fabrique
24 — Zurich, Switzerland — Halle 622
26 — Vienna, Austria — Gasometer
27 — Munich, Germany — Zenith
29 — Düsseldorf, Germany — Mitsubishi Electric Halle
30 — Amsterdam, Netherlands — AFAS Live
October
1 — Paris, France — L’Olympia
3 — Frankfurt, Germany — Jahrhunderthalle
5 — Hamburg, Germany — Sporthalle
6 — Berlin, Germany — Max-Schmeling-Halle
8 — Brussels, Belgium — Forest National
10 — Manchester, UK — O2 Victoria Warehouse
11 — Glasgow, UK — O2 Academy
12 — Dublin, Ireland — 3Olympia Theatre
14 — Cardiff, UK — Great Hall
15 — London, UK — Eventim Apollo
