On May 6, 2020, NF teased this track in his signature style by surfacing a snippet of it on social media, only to delete seconds after. The video features a computer screen, seemingly in a recording session.
In an Instagram live NF said:
"Yeah, I love that one [“LAYERS”] too. I re-wrote the beginning of that song like ten times. I just didn’t know how I wanted it to go. That just happens to me sometimes, I’ll write something and then re-write it like, ten times."
LAYERS
NF Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got layers to me
I got plans, I got goals, I got tricks up my sleeve
I got calls, I got deals, I got people to meet
I got drive, I got soul, I got everything
I got scars, I got heart, I got family to feed
I got people mad I ain't who they want me to be
I got people I don't know tellin' me what I need
I'm thankful for the prayers, I need more of those
Put my hands together, bow my head and thank the Lord for
Everything he's done, yeah, ain't none of us immortal
So while I'm still alive I got so much to look forward to
Addicted to the craft (whoa), got no time to chat (whoa)
Just a little something to hold 'em over for what's next (whoa)
Even when I guess (whoa), I get it correct (whoa)
Question my work ethic, that's a question you don't ask (no, no, no, ayy)
Yeah
Don't ever question if I hustle, work a double
Drop a bomb on me I climb right out the rubble
Not a struggle, tossin' me under the bus will get you muzzled
Pop your bubble (pop), throw your compliments right out the window
So unique with this, I could flip the script and change the schedule
You'd still think that it happened how it should've, keep it subtle
Bunch of geniuses, put they heads together try to huddle up
But still they sit, confused about how I learn to juggle, ayy
Toss around some concepts 'til I pick one
Usually I don't alter my traditions
Foreign to me hit 'em with the switch up
I just had to get this out my system
Been a handful even with a mouth full of hand soap, I still say what I want to
Getting passed? No, better chance beatin' Usain Bolt in my sandals
To be candid, that's like puttin' minivans in NASCAR with a grandma
In the driver seat with her hands up
Show goes on even after the show's over
To get past me you would have to kill me (kill me, kill me, kill, me)
Ayy (kill me, kill me, kill, me)
Tossin' what you want aside for longevity, ain't meant to be
If it causes everything to collapse and affects your heart heavily
What's worth it and what's not?
What's certain and which side will the coin flip to and land on?
When you guess wrong do you stand up or stand down
Even with a man down I man up, well rounded
Held out for the right outlet
Nine houses couldn't make me feel home, childish
Me left, see, the outcome every ounce of my childhood
Played a role in how I wound up with an outlook so crowded
No knowledge, couldn't see through the piles of my problems
Still piled up, past tense, man, I wish it was
But I've come so far so quickly
In it for the long haul, it's routine
Only thing I'm cool with losing is losing sleep
And it's only cool with me
If it means I get to watch my dreams
Come true if I kept it brief
Still you think it was a long story
Recording half of the things I think would
Take six years, prepare, 'cause the chance that you asked for
Might show up at your door one night like, "I'm here
Gonna let me in or just stare?"
It's clear, yeah, six ain't enough
That wouldn't come close to the content between my ears
My layers have got layers
My layers have got layers
In the song "Layers," NF speaks about his complex and multi-faceted personality. He acknowledges that he has different layers to him, some of which include having plans, goals, and tricks up his sleeve. He talks about having calls, deals, and people to meet, signifying that he is a busy man with a purpose. He has a soul and everything he needs to accomplish his goals. However, he also talks about the scars, heartache, and struggles that he has overcome. He has a family to care for, and people in his life who are not happy with who he is. Despite all this, he keeps working hard, hustling, and never lets anyone question his work ethic. He is thankful for the people who pray for him, but he also knows that he needs to keep pushing and has a lot to look forward to as he is still alive.
In the next verse, he speaks about his unique approach to music, saying that he is so good that he could flip the script and change the schedule, and his fans would still think it happened how it should have. He also talks about the struggle he has had, having a mouthful of hand soap, but still saying what he wants to say. He compares himself to Usain Bolt, saying that it's difficult to get past him, and you would have to kill him to do so. He adds that the show must go on, and he will keep working hard until his dreams come true.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah (ayy)
Starting the song with an enthusiastic adlib
I got layers to me
I am a complex person with many facets
I got plans, I got goals, I got tricks up my sleeve
I have agendas, aspirations, and strategies that others may not be aware of
I got calls, I got deals, I got people to meet
I have professional connections and opportunities to explore
I got drive, I got soul, I got everything
I am passionate and dedicated, and I possess many qualities needed for success
I got scars, I got heart, I got family to feed
I have been through hardships, I am compassionate, and I have loved ones to provide for
I got people mad I ain't who they want me to be
There are those who are displeased that I do not conform to their expectations
I got people I don't know tellin' me what I need
Strangers often try to give me unsolicited advice
Yeah, I got loved ones sayin' that they prayin' for me
My close friends and family support me through their prayers
I'm thankful for the prayers, I need more of those
I appreciate the emotional and spiritual support, and I hope to receive more of it
Put my hands together, bow my head and thank the Lord for
I express my gratitude to God for all of my blessings
Everything he's done, yeah, ain't none of us immortal
I acknowledge that life is fleeting, and I am grateful for every moment
So while I'm still alive I got so much to look forward to
I recognize the possibilities and opportunities that exist, and I am excited to pursue them
Addicted to the craft (whoa), got no time to chat (whoa)
I am fully committed to my profession and have little time for idle conversation
Just a little something to hold 'em over for what's next (whoa)
I am offering a preview of my future work to keep my fans engaged
Even when I guess (whoa), I get it correct (whoa)
I have a strong intuition and often make correct assumptions
Question my work ethic, that's a question you don't ask (no, no, no, ayy)
My dedication and diligence should not be called into question
Don't ever question if I hustle, work a double
I work hard and have the ability to go above and beyond
Drop a bomb on me I climb right out the rubble
I have the resilience to overcome any adversity
Not a struggle, tossin' me under the bus will get you muzzled
If someone tries to betray or undermine me, there will be consequences
Pop your bubble (pop), throw your compliments right out the window
I am not interested in insincere flattery
So unique with this, I could flip the script and change the schedule
My creative abilities are unparalleled, and I am capable of improvisation
You'd still think that it happened how it should've, keep it subtle
Even if I make changes, my work will still seem natural and organic
Bunch of geniuses, put they heads together try to huddle up
Others may try to collaborate or compete with me, but I am confident in my abilities
But still they sit, confused about how I learn to juggle, ayy
People may marvel at my multitasking skills and creative process
Toss around some concepts 'til I pick one
I consider and explore various ideas before making a choice
Usually I don't alter my traditions
I often stick to my tried and true ways of doing things
Foreign to me hit 'em with the switch up
However, there are times when I will make changes or switch things up unexpectedly
I just had to get this out my system
Sometimes I need to express myself or release my feelings
Been a handful even with a mouth full of hand soap, I still say what I want to
Despite any challenges, I always speak my mind
Getting passed? No, better chance beatin' Usain Bolt in my sandals
It is unlikely that anyone will surpass me or outdo me
To be candid, that's like puttin' minivans in NASCAR with a grandma
Attempting to compete with me would be like entering an underwhelming team in a competitive environment
In the driver seat with her hands up
The hypothetical team would be helpless and unprepared
Show goes on even after the show's over
The after-effects of my work and the reverberations of my impact continue long after the initial event or project is finished
To get past me you would have to kill me (kill me, kill me, kill, me)
I am formidable and will not be easily defeated
Ayy (kill me, kill me, kill, me)
Reiterating my tenacity and unwillingness to be stopped
Tossin' what you want aside for longevity, ain't meant to be
Sacrificing one's values or desires for long-term success is not sustainable
If it causes everything to collapse and affects your heart heavily
Pushing oneself to the point of emotional or psychological breakdown is never worth it
What's worth it and what's not?
It is important to understand one's priorities and values when making decisions
What's certain and which side will the coin flip to and land on?
Uncertainty is a constant in life, and outcomes are never guaranteed
When you guess wrong do you stand up or stand down
When faced with adverse outcomes, one must choose whether to keep fighting or give up
Even with a man down I man up, well rounded
Despite setbacks or losses, I still have the strength to persevere and maintain a balanced perspective
Held out for the right outlet
I have been patient in waiting for the right opportunity to present itself
Nine houses couldn't make me feel home, childish
Regardless of my surroundings or material possessions, I am still trying to find a sense of belonging
Me left, see, the outcome every ounce of my childhood
My upbringing has been instrumental in shaping who I am today
Played a role in how I wound up with an outlook so crowded
My experiences and perspectives are multifaceted and complex
No knowledge, couldn't see through the piles of my problems
At one point, I was unable to understand my own struggles or see a way out
Still piled up, past tense, man, I wish it was
Although I have made progress, there are still obstacles that I face
But I've come so far so quickly
Despite the challenges, I have made significant strides in a short amount of time
In it for the long haul, it's routine
I am committed to my career and am in it for the long haul
Only thing I'm cool with losing is losing sleep
I am willing to give up sleep in order to achieve my goals
And it's only cool with me
I am at peace with this sacrifice
If it means I get to watch my dreams
I am willing to make sacrifices in order to achieve my dreams
Come true if I kept it brief
I strive to be concise and efficient in my work in order to achieve my goals
Still you think it was a long story
Despite my efforts to be brief, others may still see my work as lengthy or complicated
Recording half of the things I think would
I have many ideas and thoughts that I wish to express through my work
Take six years, prepare, 'cause the chance that you asked for
It may take several years of work and preparation for me to produce something that meets a specific request
Might show up at your door one night like, "I'm here
I may surprise others with my sudden appearance or release of new work
Gonna let me in or just stare?"
Others must choose whether they will accept and appreciate my work or reject it
It's clear, yeah, six ain't enough
The six minutes of this song are not enough to fully showcase my talent and skills
That wouldn't come close to the content between my ears
There is much more substance and creativity within me than can be expressed in a six-minute song
My layers have got layers
My personality and abilities are complex and multifaceted
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Walowac, Nate Feuerstein, Tommee Profitt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tonycamarillo5890
Lyrics-I got layers to me
I got plans, I got goals, I got tricks up my sleeve
I got calls, I got deals, I got people to meet
I got drive, I got soul, I got everything (ayy)
I got scars, I got heart, I got family to feed (woah)
I got people mad, I ain't who they want me to be (ayy)
I got people I don't know tellin' me what I need (ayy)
Yeah, I got loved ones sayin' that they prayin' for me
I'm thankful for the prayers, I need more of those
Put my hands together, bow my head and thank the Lord for (ayy)
Everything He's done, yeah, ain't none of us immortal
So while I'm still alive, I got so much to look forward to
Addicted to the craft (woah), got no time to chat (woah)
This a lil' somethin' to hold 'em over for what's next (woah)
Even when I guess (woah), I get it correct (woah)
Question my work ethic, that's a question you don't ask (no, no, no, ayy)
Yeah, don't ever question if I hustle, work a double
Drop a bomb on me, I climb right out the rubble, not a struggle
Tossin' me under the bus'll get you muzzled
Pop your bubble (pop)
Throw your compliments right out the window (ayy)
So unique with this
I can flip the script and change the schedule, you'd still think that it
Happened how it should've, keep it subtle, bunch of geniuses
Put they heads together, try to huddle up, but still they sit
Confused about how I learned to juggle (ayy)
Toss around some concepts 'til I pick one
Usually, I don't alter my traditions
Foreign to me, hit 'em with the switch up
I just had to get this out my system
Been a handful, even with a mouth full of hand soap
I still say what I want to
Getting past? No
Better chance beatin' Usain Bolt in my sandals
To be candid, that's like puttin' minivans in NASCAR
With a grandma in the driver seat with her hands up
Show goes on even after the show's over
To get past me, you would have to kill me (kill me, kill me, kill me)
Ayy (kill me, kill me, kill me)
Tossin' what you want aside for longevity, ain't meant to be
If it causes everything to collapse and affects your heart heavily
What's worth it and what's not?
What's certain and which side would the coin flip to and land on?
When you guess wrong, do you stand up or stand down?
Even with a man down, I man up
Well-rounded, held out for the right outlet
Nine houses couldn't make me feel home, childish
Me left see the outcome every ounce of my childhood
Played a role in how I wound up with an outlook so crowded
No knowledge, couldn't see through the piles of my problems
Still piled up, past tense, man, I wish it was, but I've come
So far so quickly
In it for the long haul, it's routine
Only thing I'm cool with losing is losing sleep
And it's only cool with me
If it means I get to watch my dreams
Come true if I kept it brief
Still you think it was a long story
Recording half of the things I think would
Take six years, prepare, 'cause the chance that you asked for
Might show up at your door one night like, "I'm here"
Gonna let me in or just stare?
It's clear, yeah, six ain't enough
That wouldn't come close to the content between my ears
My layers have got layers
My layers have got layers
@harrysingh7978
Nf don't write his lyrics
He probably lives them. 🖤
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@CheZeePlaY
With each new track - NF is getting better and better! I'm glad for his success, as if I were in his place :D
@matthewtysiaczny4662
Stfu kid
@kaminari8640
@@matthewtysiaczny4662 that's why the chiefs winning the AFC west next year
@kham9995
😁😁
@bujtorm
Yea, those switchups are dope, he finally feels confident enough not to do the whole track on the same flow.
@nathanwiens5781
No the album from 2014 is fire
@noahmoore6477
“Even with a mouth full of hand soap, I still say what I want to”
Underrated bar. A reference to his mouth being clean because he doesn’t cuss in his music. And even without the cuss words he is able to get his point across better than any other rapper.
@vffve
What a catch! He was rapping so fast I couldn't catch it all
@potato_muderer
Ngl I actually thought he was saying that he could still say what he wanted to if there was a literal bar of soap in his mouth🤦♀️. To be fair tho, that is something he would say😂
@khrawbokjyrwajyrwa3609
So true man! 🔥