Paid My Dues (NF song)

"Paid My Dues" is a song by American rapper NF, released on December 3, 2019 as the lead single from his 2021 mixtape Clouds.[1] It was written and produced alongside Tommee Profitt and Saint X of now-disbanded 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.

"Paid My Dues"
Single by NF
from the album Clouds (The Mixtape)
ReleasedDecember 3, 2019
GenreHip hop
Length3:32
LabelNF Real Music[1]
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Feuerstein
  • Profitt
  • Saint X
NF singles chronology
"Time"
(2019)		 "Paid My Dues"
(2019)		 "Chasing_Demo"
(2020)
Music video
"Paid My Dues" on YouTube

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

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[1]

  • Nate Feuerstein – composer, lyricist, producer
  • Tommee Profitt – composer, lyricist, producer, mastering engineer, mixer, studio personnel
  • Cole Walowac/Saint X – lyricist, producer

Charts
Chart (2019) Peak
position
Canada Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[5] 38
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[6] 30
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[7] 6
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[8] 15
US Rap Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[9] 1
US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[10] 3

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[11] Gold 40,000‡
United States (RIAA)[12] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Credits / PAID MY DUES". Tidal. December 3, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  2. "NF's 'Paid My Dues' Video: Watch". Billboard. December 4, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  3. "NF Stands Up For Himself in Surprise New Single and Music Video "PAID MY DUES"". Music Mayhem Magazine. December 3, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  4. Currinn, Jonathan (December 12, 2019). "DISCOVER: NF Drops New Single & Music Video "Paid My Dues"". CelebMix. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  5. "Chart History (Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. December 14, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  6. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  7. "NF Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  8. "NF Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  9. "Chart History (Rap Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. December 14, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  10. "NF Chart History (R&B/Hip Hop Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. December 21, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  11. "Canadian single certifications – NF – Paid My Dues". Music Canada. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  12. "American single certifications – NF – Paid My Dues". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
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