NF and Cordae bring Hope to Ottawa

NF, also known as Nathan John Feuerstein, took the stage at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa last night, and his Hope World Tour left the audience buzzing.

But before we dive into the main act, let’s talk about the opening act – Cordae. Cordae, seemed genuinely enthusiastic about performing, expressing his gratitude to the audience for their attention on many occasions.  If you haven’t heard of him, he is the partner of tennis sensation Naomi Osaka with whom he recently welcomed a baby girl into the world. On the professional side, he is a rapper, singer, and songwriter. He gained popularity by releasing remixes of popular songs, such as “My Name Is” by Eminem. Videos to both remixes were uploaded to WorldStarHipHop’s YouTube channel, which led to a positive response from both mainstream media and the online rap community.

Towards the end of his set Cordae treated the audience to his upbeat new track “Make up your Mind,” which carried a distinct pop sound, not what is necessarily expected from a rapper. His versatility as an artist was evident, drawing the crowd deeper into his music. He left them with a feeling of positivity which would then carry on in NF’s set.

Now, turning our attention to NF’s performance, I personally felt that he channeled Eminem in appearance, vibe and sound. He has indeed listed Eminem as one of his early influences. Like the man he looks up to, NF hails from Michigan and has faced challenges in his young life. Feuerstein stated that during his childhood, rap was an escape for him. He would record songs on a karaoke machine, recording instrumentals on one microphone and his raps on the other.

His stage presence was undeniable, with moody lighting setting the perfect atmosphere for his introspective and emotive lyrics. NF’s “Hope World Tour” marked a transition from sad rap to a happy rap. This transformation was symbolized by his all-white ensemble and with the word “happy” displayed behind him from time to time.

One of the standout moments of the evening was when Cordae joined NF on stage for a surprise collaboration. As they fired lyrical shots back and forth to each other on stage, it was hard not to notice Cordae’s trench coat, which bore a striking resemblance to the iconic style of the late Juice WRLD, adding a subtle nod to the late rapper’s legacy. Could it be THE coat?

NF’s electrifying performance left no room for disappointment. His powerful lyrics, combined with the raw emotion in his delivery, resonated deeply with the audience. The transition from sadness to happiness, both in his music and his persona, was palpable throughout the night. As the lights dimmed and the crowd roared, it was clear that NF’s “Hope World Tour” had succeeded in delivering a memorable celebration of his artistic journey.

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