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

Intentionally Atrocious

Intentionally AtrociousSong Writing

A selection of songs made to be terrible - some clearly achieved that goal.

00s Music Quiz 1

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.