When I Grow Up
by NF

Album: The Search (2019)
Charted: 78
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Most children grow up dreaming of becoming something like a police officer, teacher or athlete. NF aspired to be a rapper from an early age.

    On "When I Grow Up," he recalls how it made a lot more sense to him to become a rapper rather than going to college, getting into debt, then getting "a job that doesn't pay the bills."

    NF goes on to recount the fierce determination and love of music that made him pursue his career choice at all costs and despite the obstacles.
  • NF co-created the beat with his primary producer Tommee Profitt. The Michigan native worked on 13 of the Perception tracks, including the hit singles "Let You Down" and "Lie."

Comments: 1

  • Nathan Feuerstein from N/aOne cool fact about this song was it was one of the first songs that really meant something to me and had a connection to my life. This song gave me the courage to more or better music.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

George Harrison

George HarrisonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really steal George's wife? What's the George Harrison-Monty Python connection? Set the record straight with our Fact or Fiction quiz.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?