The Healing Power of Music: The NF Journey Part One

NF The Search

The NF Journey

Ever wonder what rap music and LGBTQIA+ struggles have in common? Meet NF, the lyrical powerhouse breaking down barriers of stigma and silence. His music isn’t just sound—it’s storytelling, therapy, and a lifeline for those wrestling with mental health.

Who is NF?

Nathan Feuerstein, better known as NF, is a 32-year-old rapper, storyteller, and industry outsider from Gladwin, Michigan. Despite amassing a devoted following and over 5 billion streams worldwide, he remains an enigma to mainstream audiences.

In 2021, Hollywood Insider called him “Hip Hop’s Lone Outcast and Moral Compass,” recognizing his refusal to conform—both in style and content. NF never swears in his music, an unusual trait in rap, yet his words hit just as hard, if not harder.

His early life was anything but easy. Raised by a mother battling opioid addiction, he lost her to an overdose in 2000. His song “How Could You Leave Us” is a raw, gut-wrenching reflection on grief, abandonment, and longing for answers.

NF Therapy Session

NF’s Therapy Through Music

For NF, music is therapy. He doesn’t just rap—he processes, unpacks, and exposes his struggles through lyrics that resonate deeply with fans battling anxiety, depression, and self-doubt.

NF is one of the few artists who explicitly integrates therapy into his music. He doesn’t romanticize pain—he works through it, publicly and unapologetically. In his 2016 album Therapy Session, he says:

"When I feel something, whether it's anger, passion, or frustration, this is where I go. This is the whole ‘NF Real Music’ thing, man. This is real for me—I need this. This is therapy for me.” (Therapy Session)

Songs like “The Search” use symbolism to illustrate mental health struggles. The black balloons in the music video represent self-doubt and OCD, a burden NF carries in a metaphorical shopping cart:

"Try to hold it underwater, but it always survives. Then it comes up out of nowhere like a surprise… it hovers over you to tell you millions of lies.” (NF – The Search)

Facing Criticism and Stigma

Despite his success, critics dismiss NF as a "one-trick pony” or claim his rhymes are “overly simplistic.” But he doesn’t play for approval. In “Outcast”, he owns his status as a misfit:

"I'm just tryna be me, I am nobody else. I don't care what you think, I'm just being myself."

This refusal to conform is exactly why so many relate to him. NF’s music speaks to those who feel unseen, unheard, and misunderstood.

NF and the LGBTQIA+ Intersection

So why is a 65-year-old Bi+ therapist from Eugene, Oregon writing about NF? Because his music reflects something deeply familiar—the struggle for belonging.

His song “Only” hits on the shared experience of isolation, imposter syndrome, and the constant search for peace:

"Yeah, does anybody feel like me? Show of hands, I don't need a lot, I just wanna find my peace." (NF - Only)

For many in the LGBTQIA+ community, NF’s journey mirrors our own—grappling with self-doubt, fighting to be heard, and resisting the pressure to conform. His music is a reminder that healing isn’t linear, authenticity is radical, and we are not alone.

The Power of Authenticity

NF’s ability to express pain and resilience without sugarcoating the process resonates across all identities. He acknowledges the weight of emotional depth and the courage it takes to sit with discomfort:

"And they wonder why the music has a huge effect? Could it be 'cause I've been the go-to when it comes to depth?” (NF ft. Tech N9ne – Trust)

The NF Journey of Resilience

In a world that demands perfection and silence, NF offers neither. He normalizes struggle, champions authenticity, and gives voice to those navigating their own pain.

His music is more than rap—it’s therapy, community, and a testament to the power of vulnerability.

So, let’s hold onto hope, own our stories, and keep showing up—even when it’s hard.

Want more? Read Part 2 of my NF series here → [NF Healing Power of Music Part 2]

Disclaimer:This blog reflects my personal views on mental health and is not a substitute for therapy. The content is general and may not apply to everyone. If you're struggling, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional.