: While defensive, the lyrics remain vulnerable. He describes his internal battles as "poison" that has "killed me twice" and notes that critics often "throw salt at all my burdens".
Despite being a surprise drop, the song was a major commercial hit: NF - Paid My Dues (Lyrics)
: The title refers to the years of "grinding" NF spent in the underground scene before achieving mainstream success. He asserts that he has earned his position despite lack of industry support. : While defensive, the lyrics remain vulnerable
: Reviewers highlight his ability to shift between multiple cadences seamlessly throughout the song. : While defensive