Photos by Andy Argyrakis

To those who haven’t been paying attention, NF’s ability to sell out the Allstate Arena, alongside nearly every similarly enormous date in America and Europe on the extensive “Hope” Tour, may come as a surprise.

But to the legion of listeners who’ve been tracking the rising rapper since bursting out of his Michigan bedroom in 2010 to sell over than half a million tickets, accumulate over 30 billion streams, plus land a pair of consecutive albums at the top of the Billboard 200, it was only a matter of time.

And after around 95-minutes backed by a phenomenal drummer, laser beams, shooting smoke, hydraulic lifts and a merchandise line capable of legitimately competing with Taylor Swift, chances are his concerts will become even more colossal.

That’s because the man born Nathan John Feuerstein takes his motto of “Real Music” drop dead seriously, incorporating a genuine Christian faith without ever coming across as preachy into an unflinchingly raw of account of his personal demons, ongoing depression and childhood traumas, all of which prompted a perpetual “Therapy Session.”

Being so authentic allowed him to appeal and relate to all audiences, and though there was certainly a weighty nature to the show itself, NF incorporated an increased sense of “Hope,” to quote the name of the opening track and title of his latest long player.

The hoodie-wearing hip-hop savior may have had a hat covering most of his face, but “Motto” allowed everyone to see straight into the headliner’s soul, while “Careful” cranked up the intensity all the more, especially when surprise guest and opener Cordae joined in.

NF focused primarily on the current collection, the prior proper project “The Search” and “Clouds (The Mixtape),” turning in explosive renditions of “Leave Me Alone,” “Paid My Dues” and several others, prior to reaching the emotional pinnacle of “Mama,” adapting newfound feelings of forgiveness following the extreme grief stemming from his mother’s opioid overdose.

The sunnier sounds of “Happy” came next, representing one of his now many major hits that also included the chilling “Let You Down,” performed in the center of the crowd, and upon his return to the standard stage, the insanely catchy cheekiness of “When I Grow Up.”

In fact, few are as clever or consistent as NF, not to mention deeply thought-provoking, which had every walk of life who lit up the Allstate hanging on every last word and likely leaving not only entertained, but emboldened to rise above any obstacle standing in their way.

For additional information on NF, visit NFRealMusic.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Allstate Arena include Carin Leon (Aug. 10); Pepe Aguilar (Aug. 18-19); Arcangel (Aug. 26); Christian Nodal (Sept. 2); Greta Van Fleet (Sept. 6); Maneskin (Sept. 29); El Fantasma (Sept. 30); Luis Miguel (Oct. 4-5); Alejandro Fernandez (Oct. 8); Maluma (Oct. 12); Junior H (Oct. 13); Marco Antonio Solis (Oct. 15); Grupo Frontera and Luis R. Conriquez (Oct. 20); Pancho Barraza (Oct. 21); Romeo Santos (Oct. 24); Old Dominion (Nov. 17) and KISS (Nov. 27). For additional details, visit Rosemont.com/Allstate/.

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