Me and my wife were lucky enough to be in this video. I am actually the one pushing him in the buggy. Was a great experience. It was shot down in the old abandoned Six Flags park in New Orleans, Louisiana. You guys are fun to watch. Keep it up!
My take on the video is that the people throughout the park are people like him who feel like they have to put on fake smiles in life, they have burdens and also are searching for hope just like NF. The booth where the lady is wiping off their fake smiles is a sign of progress but NF isn’t ready for it yet, than the people in white are taking him to the Next spot for change so they drop him off for him to change his clothes to white but he isn’t ready for it, so he passes on that too. Than he’s in the dark spot where it seems like people are just like him who haven’t been able to get out of the dark so they’re just stuck with their burdens and never found hope. But than he leaves that place because he also is not ready to give up like them so he takes his basket to the front of the line of people taking their burdens and I think MAYBE the hand that comes out is God’s telling Nate to let him take his burdens away. That’s my Theory.
I think you got most of it correct. But I think the last bit where he hands over a couple of balloons is to show that he is finally ready to let go of some of his burdens. It can be through therapy, family, religion or any other means.
I think you're both right but the end goes along with the chorus, he's afraid to give up the balloons, so it doesn't show if he did, because he's trying not to give up control. Also this was filmed at the abandoned Six Flags theme park
And he's in gray, both black and white clothes are in his cart. To me it signifies that he's still undecided - just as he said "I hate to be different but I hate to be normal". I feel the different him is the black one, having all this anxiety, depression, OCD, full of pain. And the normal one is the white one, but they all seem kind of like automatons. I would guess it scares him. Particularly if it means taking meds for his issues to get to the the "normal" state.
The Fans are behind his back pushing him forward, giving him strenght and following him to the end were they all try to give up their burdens, cause he gives them the same strenght
It looks like He is surrendering his burdens but doesn’t want to. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28. As a Christian who suffers from depression, I so relate to NF and love his songs. Great to see you both discuss it and try to find the deeper meaning.
The video matches his search for hope ("looking for the map to hope" from the search). The people are losing their burdens, removing their fakeness (the smiles), and finding hope (changing their clothes). This is all symbolic of finding hope.
I always like the part where he sent Fame this song ie "Leave me Alone". Also this was shot at the old Six Flags in New Orleans. He asked 75 fans to be in his video.
My take on the balloons, as NF has stated, they are his burdens or his demons/thoughts. The people in the background in black clothing go into the tent to "change" into white clothing, meaning they have accepted help for their burdens (therapy) and come out feeling better. In the end where NF hands off just a couple of balloons he's showing he's willing to get help but not thoroughly convinced it's the best idea. This concept is of course just my take on it. This song/video and "Paralyzed" are my absolute favorites by NF as I too suffer from anxiety and major depressive disorder. I completely understand the feeling of not wanting to get rid of bad thoughts because they have become so "normal" to me that I'm afraid of what I might put there in place of them if they leave. Mental health issues suck and not understanding why you have the issues makes it even worse. Great job on the video !! Keep up the great work !! ✌
You guys missed it. This song and video takes place in his head. He's talking to himself..the people in white are his thoughts just like the balloons are his burdens. The town is just another part of his mind.
Hahah I love when I can see yalls wheels spinning when listening to/watching Nate 😂 to be honest, I don’t even have a firm opinion on the total meaning behind this song and I’ve followed NF since he first released his Mansion album. Also; I will add that when the video shows the “smile” tent, the smiles are being removed. Not applied. It then shows Nate rub his face to try to remove the “fake smile” that the industry expects from him and his won’t wipe away.
Lol he’s not handing out balloons lol. He was handing over some of his. And the people in black off by themselves are people who aren’t moving forward and are stuck as they are. You guys are totally getting more right on your first time watching then other people. But you’re also trying to connect some parts that are separate symbols that interact with each other. Lol it’s fun to be like “yes” and “no” while watching. Great video!
Looking for the map to hope (you seen it)... NF is on a search for better mental health.. He's on a search trying to deal with all of his fears, burdens, and doubts more effectively. At the end he's contemplating letting go of some of his burdens. Does he do it? The guy in the shopping cart is old NF who hasn't let go of his burdens and is still stuck in the same headspace. The people in white can also be people who have successfully released some of their burdens. In No Name he said he'd get back to Fame when he made album four. Genius level story telling through music.... Great reaction as always! Keep it up
I swear you guys are the best reactors to NF cuz you really want to learn, or, at the very least, understand his vision. I’m a relatively new fan of NF, but I feel like I know a bit more than most reactors do. However, Lex really made me think about the symbolism behind NF being pushed in the cart, and that possibly being the industry or music label. That was a really good take that I didn’t think about. 🤔
I believe the ending is Christ "behind the curtain" He takes our burdens and helps us throughout our life, and so here he is giving some of his burdens to God if he is willing to let God help him.
As much as id like to agree nf has put so much drive into not being a christian rapper but a rapper who happens to be christian as much as the white cloaked figure may symbolize jesus i think more broadly it represents aknowledgement in that recognizing your bourdons and forgiving yourself youbare able to move past. Even though in other tracks he discusses the fact that he built his brand on mental termoil and fears moving on and losong his fan base and fame, he feals a level of responsibility he cannot ammount to
I always enjoy your reactions to the NF journey. Here are some thoughts that might help. I think the whole search is for hope and freedom. He says in the song “The Search” that he’s “looking for the map to hope.” In the song “Let Me Go,” he’s talking to his burdens and asks if he’ll feel regret, “if I let you go and find the seven letters I’ve been looking for.” I think those seven letters are F R E E D O M. Also, when he mentions therapy in “The Search,” I think he means quite literally, not music anymore. He mentions it again in the song “Time,” and the overall concept of the song “Nate” is one he got at therapy. With all of that in mind, I think the people in white are those who have found hope. Sure, they have some burdens like anyone in life, but less of them. Also, if you look at the “fake smile tent” again, you’ll notice they’re not getting smiles painted on but wiped off. I think part of finding hope and freedom involves being real with someone(s) who can help-being fake with people who you can trust to help you won’t lead to any sort of significant change. At the end of this video, I think he wants to let go of some of his burdens, as others do in line, but he’s hesitant for the reasons he mentions in the chorus. I hope that’s helpful and doesn’t spoil anything. Just some of my thoughts as I’ve tried to dissect the journey.
The balloons are his burdens. Everyone in last scene is holding there burdens. His afraid to let go of them because his burdens got him famous. Also the white clothes is pure like are you ready to gave up your burdens to become pure.
This comment is for the end part. I think what he is interpreting in the video and song, is about letting go of his fears or burdens. Because when he says, “I should let them go and watch them float away. I’m scared that if I do then I’ll be more afraid.” (Relating to the balloons which in my opinion represents his fears, burdens, and doubts.) so I think he is saying how even though he is very scared to let his fears go and watch them float away, he is still making the choice to let them go so he can overcome his mental health and self doubts because he knows he has to make the right choice. I have anxiety and ocd as well and I relate so much to his music in terms of his ocd plus he is such an amazing writer. Always inspiring. Love the video, keep it up y’all! Much love from IL.
So NF fans have an advantage because we’ve been listening to this songs for years..we know the lyrics and the call backs. It is a lot to write in comments lol not sure if you’ll read this but do you remember in Therapy session. Listen to his part about smiles..”how do you picture me? Want me to smile want me to laugh you want me to walk in the stage with a smile on my face when I’m mad and put in a mask?” Lol you also have to think that we had years to listen to his music..therapy session came out in 2016. This song and album that he’s still referencing and calling back to came out in 2019z think of all the time we had to listen to his lyrics and analyze it. You guys are trying to do all that in a matter of weeks😂🙏🏽 we appreciate you guys tho and given that..you are both still doing a pretty good job
I always perceived Nate handing out his balloons as trying to let go of some of his burdens as if he’s gotten through a couple that he’s ready to leave behind
Sorry to keep bugging you but if you haven't seen my other comments , you should include When I grow up on your reaction list. It's a big part of his story as well.
Love NF, have followed for years but it takes a while to get everything. basically each song/album has "easter eggs" kinda have to start from his earliest songs and move forward ...they all pretty much connect and once you notice some youll start to really pick up on bis lyrics, certain words used and meaning behind video props he uses (writing on walls, balloons, face painting, the white outfits, the "old man" in the cart, what mansion stands for) he really is pure genius when it comes to lyrics and putting a story like video to go along with the song. .great reaction video yall 🙏❤🙏❤🙏
First of all great reaction video and you both seem to be falling head first in this rabbit hole too, lol. My notes on listening to your thoughts were: he may be in the cart not in controll of where's he's going now and just along for the ride? Then, the black balloons go away and the people embrace their burdens themselves by changing to the black clothes? And at the end of the video they can share the same burdens cause some people out there are dealing with the same issues too. Your not alone is my thought of this. Its all so deep!
That was Iceland , always remember his each balloon is a burden,,, burdens are heavy,, it all explains the balloon. Colour, shoes, clothing, balloons are everything. His albums are like difficult puzzles in all his albums. He had a lot of very heavily important value!!
Lets gooooo! Can't wait till you see the progress in the next few songs on this classic: Change, My Stress, Nate, Returns, Only, Hate Myself, Options are all so great.
Toby has it with conformity, also the balloons are his doubts and voices in his head. He is telling all the those doubts in his head to be quiet. You know the voices that make you second guess everything, even more stressed as he gets more successful and all he wants to do is release these voices. OCD ppl definitely feel this. Like everything has to be perfect but what is perfect. Be emotional, not emotional, the industry tell you one thing "be main stream" and then fans react to what your already doing which is working. So you just want all your doubts to go away, he is on the search for peace in his head. The guy at the end is like someone taking one of his doubts away with every song.
I personally think the painted smiles is to represent those that put on a fake smile and people that keep telling him and others to smile more. If you are not happy then you shouldn't hide that fact
Did you notice when he seen other people painting on fake smiles which is what everybody portrays to the outside world he reached up and noticed he could wipe off his fake smile
In that tent scene if I'm not mistaken it looks like the people in line are surrendering their balloons. To me the smile on the back of the tent represents some type of therapy. The song to me is him struggling with the fact that he knows he needs to get help. He has talked about it in other tracks. His fear that if he addresses his issues he won't have subject matter anymore. At the end I think that shows that he's finally ready to address his issues because he can't take the thoughts in his head anymore. Just my thoughts. Keep up the great works guys!
Remember in intro 3 the conversation he was having with fear...."You can't get rid of all of me I'm the reason why Nah, shut up, I don't wanna hear another sentence" and in this when he's talking about loosening up his grip but 'they say it's not ok' I imagine that to be fear.
They are wiping off the black smile. The smile was referenced in outcast as being his weird smile. The black balloons are his doubts, and his pain, referenced in paid my dues. When they go through the tents, they are giving that up to be normal. But what I’m still confused on seeing is that everyone who is going through and giving up the balloons and smiles don’t look happy. I think he’s having a hard time giving up his because he is seeing everyone give up there’s and how unhappy they look. It’s a great song.
His identity is rooted in his burdens, trauma and emotions and they are constantly hovering over him. Casting a shadow. He wants them to leave him alone. But at the same time if he lets them go he is not sure who he will be (his identity) without them. He is letting go of some of his burdens at the end. (to whom.... that is up for interpretation) He is searching for his identity along with hope and freedom that comes from letting his burdens go....
I have been waiting for this! This is my favorite NF song period. I hope you like it. I can't wait to watch this one. I had 2 Finals today so I had to be good and study instead of watching NF Reactions. I am so glad these two classes are finally finished.
This is the song that turned me on to NF... I hadn’t heard him bf this.. yea I was late lol ☺️ but I caught up... ❤️🥰🥰🥰..he has OCD... I have severe OCD... I related so much to this song... his OCD is alllllll through his songs... people think ocd is just about cleaning... not even close.. it’s hard.. I love him I’ve never related so much to a artist in my life...✝️❤️🙏
😂Y'all were sooo engrossed in the sick video that you missed provably all the bars /lyrics 😂... I was laughing throughout at your expressions /confusion but still a bit sad you missed the dope lyrics...😔💔.... Well can't really blame you guys cause this video was indeed overwhelming 😅... Dope reaction guys can't wait for the next
When the song dropped i interpreted him giving the balloons (his burdens) too god now he is finally able too heal from the past...god tells us too cast our burdens on him for he cares for us.
Hiii, great reaction!! Love watching you react to his music :)) Obviously with this song there is a lot of room for interpretation, personally I think that when we look at the video there are many kinds of people, people with drawn smiles, smudges, white clothes, black clothes and all of that. These could be different stages in life that people are in. Also he is pushing his cart around (which I believe is the replacement for his cage but now he can bring it with him, he also sits in it which could be interpreted as him longing to the cage) with his doubts and fears strapped to it. At the end tho it seems like he might be trying to let go of a pair of them. Anyhow this is obviously just an interpretation too but it's always fun to talk about different opinions and perspectives. Keep it up!
Cinematic lyrical rapper. Lion and the lamb of rap. Leaving impressions on naysayers and lyrically a master beast or lyrically awesome making bangers. Lion and the lamb.
From someone with bpd, I really feel like nf is borderline as well.... Every emotion, thought, feeling etc hits every one of core contents. The black and white clothes could be a reference to splitting (seeing the world and people as black and white, or good and evil). He said he was diagnosed with ocd, but ocd is a symptom of borderline, combined with multiple other symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, uncontrollable anger, fear of abandonment and more.
I always thought that the people in white were those around him who already had hope. Only a few at first but more as his career goes on. They still might have burdens but they had hope. As his career went on he has been able to help his fans find hope and they in turn have pushed him to find hope for himself. I believe the man at the end behind the curtain is symbolic of Christ. Reaching out to take your burdens but you have to be willing to give them up and find hope in Jesus. Changing cloths is symbolic of changing your life. That's just how I saw it. Great reaction guys.
10:30 - she very astutely describes the difference between Anxiety and common stress that so few seem to understand correctly... even those who experience it. Anxiety is like a debilitating fear which is subconsciously related to unacknowledged emotional trauma... trauma often attaches and hides itself within a specific emotion unbeknownst to the individual... so all they experience is that whenever they feel this specific emotion (guilt, shame, rejection, inadequicy, loneliness, etc) their body subconsciously goes into an Anxiety, panic, or fear mode bonanza... subconsciously the way most cope is to change their emotional state from that specific state of emotion to anything else as quickly as possible. That will manifest itself in many different and sometimes questioning ways such as impulsive decisions, anything that offers instant gratification... shopping, sex, drug use, alcohol, violence, pain, etc... some have such high anxiety that when having an anxiety attack or breakdown, their brain scan looks almost exactly the same as a brain scan from an individual experiencing physical or psychological torture. So very much the same way someone being physically tortured will say anything or admit to anything regardless of truth if they believe it to possibly stop the torture. Ppl in this state of anxiety may also do nearly anything within their power to decrease or end the intense anxiety, and most often this is all taking place amongst them subconsciously or at least not consciously acknowledged.
My theory is: since he addressed doubt and fame in this song and both conversations pretty much ended up finished that could also mean 2 issues solved => 2 less balloons....my thoughts
Great reaction A bit of information Frist Nf openly said in a interview that after he related perception and after all his touring he enter himself into a mental facility for 2 weeks where he said that he wrote some of the song in this album and also said he has a ocd therpest that he see every week and said that even know he will ring her when he away on tours and he also goes in to more details about his ocd and how he is trying to get better control of it Anyway This video is so deep it links all the way back to therapy session album where he show the family wearing all white which represents( purity) and the black fake smile and it to represent that people act like everything is perfect when it nó the white represents ( purity) that why you see the kids waring it when nf is talking to them he link that further on in the journey in (i miss the days) Also in therapy season you see nf draws the fake smile on himself but he is waring all black which represent that his (not pure) but he still put on a fack smile so people don't know his not perfect but he still waring black so even if he put on a fake smile people can still see he not perfect Then in the search nf say he searching for the map to hope and then at the end you see a person in white giving him white clothes Then in leave me alone he reaches the amusement Park which is support to be fun and people are happy but you see all the people in white still has burdens or the fake smile but then you see them wiping out off booth then you see nf try a wipe away his but then he move on Then you see that he come across the place where people are changing from the black clothes to the whier clothes Next you see nf in a place facing a old man in a cart he said he got the idea from when he went to therapy he had a sit cross on an Empty chair and pretend he was talking himself The old man could represent old nf that why you see him count the balloons Then the last part you see him take 2 of his burdens and give them away we'll start to give them away
I think its his experience with getting therapy. People are waiting for their turn to get their fake smiles wiped off. All the patients pointing to his balloons telling him he should address his burdens. As they progress through therapy the change from the dark clothes to the white..... Then at the end he takes the step of beginning to let go of his burdens
Oh and the first time I saw this I also thought they were painting smiles on the people's faces, but they are actually wiping off the fake smiles from the people in white.
One cool thing about the “called fame back and sent him this song” is when you think about the title of the song “Leave me alone”. He was telling fame to leave him alone which is part of the reason why fame said the song sucks.
You two are killing me with this one! Dang! I think you were both so mesmerized by the visuals you kind missed the everything. It's funny, because usually you get most everything and even bring on a new perspective. It is probably because I have watched this video so many times things came together. But I remember when I bought this album and was playing it in my car, it took me two weeks to realize he was talking about his thoughts. And another two weeks to realize it was actually not a real person NF hung up on. The funniest part of this song is when he calls Fame back, (having predicted it, foreshadowed in No Name) and sends him a song called "Leave Me Alone!" Master craftsmanship. And then this made up personification of Fame doesn't get back to NF for a few days. And NF even says he texted him! Really? Too funny. Then the best part for us reactors is to hear NF say Fame told him the song sucks! LOL. This may be a slight dig at mainstream aka Outcast who won't give him due respect. How did he know Rolling Stones was going to diss The Search album? But I digress, everyone is shocked, laughs, is surprised when Fame tells him this song sucks! It is classic entertainment. Anyways, love you guys and every song on The Search is a masterpiece. I can't wait for tomorrow. One last thing, at this point their are two equally compelling trains of thought on the people in white. One group thinks they are people who have learned to give up more of their burdens, but are in different stages of wiping off fake smiles, keeping some balloons etc. And in this regard, NF giving two of his burdens away may by symbolic of God waiting and willing to take them. The other school of thought is the people in white are ones who take medication (anti-depressants), and have given up their feelings. But now they kind of walk around like zombies and put on fake smiles etc. So in this realm, the end of the video is more of a doctor trying to push drugs onto NF. I am sure there are hundreds of other theories, but those are the two I like.
"filled my balloons up with doubts" ... "I loosen up my grip they say thats not ok"... Hes trying to get rid of his doubts but hes scared if he does he will be "more afraid"
Regarding the ending. He's talking in this song about how he's scared to let his burdens go because he doesn't want to be more afraid after doing so - he's so attached to them, he doesn't know who he'll be without them. He's at such a war with his identity. But at the same time, the weight of his burdens is too unbearable for him to continue to carry, and he knows he's going to be forced to open up to someone so that they can lighten some of the load for him. Like in Mansion when he explains how he's terrified to open the door, "Is that me or the fear talking", avoidant of ever letting anyone in because he doesn't want to risk feeling so vulnerable and then getting potentially hurt/abandoned by someone when they see his darkness... But being vulnerable is the only way he'll survive his burdens. He knows. And it's putting him in a crisis of doubt. He has to pass some balloons over to someone who wants to help him, or he will be doomed to roam in self-hatred forever. Yet the fear still clings, which is why he hesitates at the end of the video and you don't know whether he's able to hand them over in the end.
I used to think that the people in white suits were his positive thoughts and the black suits were his negative thoughts. I viewed the scenery as if it was the inside of his head. And he's always battling trying to convert his thoughts. He said in Changes - "Positive thoughts are my rivals." He doesn't like change but he'll try it. So he's always trying, while still having negativity in his head... the painted faces on the people in white and said before how he puts on his makeup (the smile) and dwell in self-hatred. He said in another song how he turns positive moments into negative ones. He's in a huge, daily struggle. Like some of are.
I think that confusing symbolism is by far his best talent, ex: the analogy of balloons being burdens and saying that they’re heavy (but balloons float). Because mental health is one of the most confusing things to us as humans esp depression because true depression is feeling wrong or upset without even knowing why. So the fact that he’s built this entire platform around something that we can’t understand is mind boggling. What I get from the video is that these people that are in white suits, changing appearance and such w each stage, are fans. The people who are actively listening and taking in everything we possibly can. He’s helped us a lot, but I think that he knows that that’s only temporary. Life happens and issues come and go. So while they are dressed in white and have gotten rid of their burdens, they still have black smiles (another amazing analogy) to show that just because it helps doesn’t mean it’s cured...and it also begs the question, who is taking the burdens from them? We don’t ever see who’s behind the curtain and obv Nate wants to drop them off too so who is it? There’s just so much to think about and I mean I’ve listened to this album on repeat since it came out and I feel like I’m just as confused as day 1. Who knows, maybe we’ll be enlightened in a later album...loved the reaction and can’t wait for more!✌️
I think it's medication, or the people in white jumpsuits being medicated because of their burdens and unhappiness being removed and that they're now zombies on the medication.
Ok so the face smile is being removed not painted on..... my take on this is the people in white still have balloons so they have issues but are dealing with them better than Nat, as they progress through different therapy sessions (the different tents) they get their fake face removed, the next move is to progress on from black to white. Nat is still in black but he is being encouraged/helped (pushed along) by those who have had therapy and are progressing in life. But he’s still not ready to move on. At the end he goes past everyone to the front of the line grabs some balloons but not all, maybe he’s ready to give up some of his issues & lighten his burden but he keeps looking back almost scared to give up his problems as he says in the song he’s more afraid of what comes after!!
Also the last part of therapy is to let go of your issues (the balloons), all the people in the line have moved through the stages of therapy, fake smiles removed, changed from white to black, now they are in line waiting to hand over and let go of their issues..... Nat jumps the queue, he’s trying to progress to the end without going through the stages
This and the last one (The Search) are my favorite NF songs. I’m sure plenty of people have explained the ppl in white and the balloons and painted faces. But my take on the old man in the shopping cart is that is the fate of ppl if they never let go of their burdens and need to keep the security of their mobile cage with them. Also, him handing 2 balloons at the end is him making the decision to let go of a few burdens.
I think the key line in the song is when he says, "I'm scared if I let go I'll be more afraid." The image at the end I think is him 'letting go' of some of his burdens, by giving them to someone who has 'conformed' (as someone else commented on), but he pauses to question whether he wants to let go of them yet... 🤔
I think the black clothes do represent burdens, as well as the balloons. I think he might be helping his fans remove their black clothes and swap it for black balloons. Like the clothes represent deep rooted issues and pain, but the balloons are more manageable and you turn into a happier person without being fully immersed in the black burdens. Nate, however has BOTH black balloons and clothes, so maybe he feels like he has some of his problems sort of under control, but still feels helpless to many others.
Me and my wife were lucky enough to be in this video. I am actually the one pushing him in the buggy. Was a great experience. It was shot down in the old abandoned Six Flags park in New Orleans, Louisiana. You guys are fun to watch. Keep it up!
That's incredible!
Stop lying i don't believe you, but if you did can i get your autograph ? Lol😁
@@JohnSmith-pb1dd I did man. I got lucky. It was pretty awesome.
@@ianhoffmann2179 How did you actually get in? Like is there a casting? What are some requirements?
My take on the video is that the people throughout the park are people like him who feel like they have to put on fake smiles in life, they have burdens and also are searching for hope just like NF. The booth where the lady is wiping off their fake smiles is a sign of progress but NF isn’t ready for it yet, than the people in white are taking him to the Next spot for change so they drop him off for him to change his clothes to white but he isn’t ready for it, so he passes on that too. Than he’s in the dark spot where it seems like people are just like him who haven’t been able to get out of the dark so they’re just stuck with their burdens and never found hope. But than he leaves that place because he also is not ready to give up like them so he takes his basket to the front of the line of people taking their burdens and I think MAYBE the hand that comes out is God’s telling Nate to let him take his burdens away. That’s my Theory.
I think you got most of it correct. But I think the last bit where he hands over a couple of balloons is to show that he is finally ready to let go of some of his burdens. It can be through therapy, family, religion or any other means.
I definitely agree 👏🏽
I think you're both right but the end goes along with the chorus, he's afraid to give up the balloons, so it doesn't show if he did, because he's trying not to give up control.
Also this was filmed at the abandoned Six Flags theme park
And he's in gray, both black and white clothes are in his cart. To me it signifies that he's still undecided - just as he said "I hate to be different but I hate to be normal". I feel the different him is the black one, having all this anxiety, depression, OCD, full of pain. And the normal one is the white one, but they all seem kind of like automatons. I would guess it scares him. Particularly if it means taking meds for his issues to get to the the "normal" state.
The Fans are behind his back pushing him forward, giving him strenght and following him to the end were they all try to give up their burdens, cause he gives them the same strenght
Don’t be worried about not getting everything. This song by far has the most symbolism than any of his other tracks. So good though!
It looks like He is surrendering his burdens but doesn’t want to. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28. As a Christian who suffers from depression, I so relate to NF and love his songs. Great to see you both discuss it and try to find the deeper meaning.
Only real ones understand
Love the verse! 100% relate
100%
Yo, the real NF fans here.
Great verse. Have you heard flames song featuring nf? Start over
The video matches his search for hope ("looking for the map to hope" from the search). The people are losing their burdens, removing their fakeness (the smiles), and finding hope (changing their clothes). This is all symbolic of finding hope.
...and Freedom ( 7 letters)
I always like the part where he sent Fame this song ie "Leave me Alone". Also this was shot at the old Six Flags in New Orleans. He asked 75 fans to be in his video.
Cool!
My take on the balloons, as NF has stated, they are his burdens or his demons/thoughts. The people in the background in black clothing go into the tent to "change" into white clothing, meaning they have accepted help for their burdens (therapy) and come out feeling better. In the end where NF hands off just a couple of balloons he's showing he's willing to get help but not thoroughly convinced it's the best idea. This concept is of course just my take on it. This song/video and "Paralyzed" are my absolute favorites by NF as I too suffer from anxiety and major depressive disorder. I completely understand the feeling of not wanting to get rid of bad thoughts because they have become so "normal" to me that I'm afraid of what I might put there in place of them if they leave. Mental health issues suck and not understanding why you have the issues makes it even worse. Great job on the video !! Keep up the great work !! ✌
From what I understand NF started the painted on smile thing because he was constantly being told he should smile more.
Old man is himself if he doesn’t change. Notice how the old man is in a cart and has the same amount it black balloons
You guys missed it. This song and video takes place in his head. He's talking to himself..the people in white are his thoughts just like the balloons are his burdens. The town is just another part of his mind.
Hahah I love when I can see yalls wheels spinning when listening to/watching Nate 😂 to be honest, I don’t even have a firm opinion on the total meaning behind this song and I’ve followed NF since he first released his Mansion album.
Also; I will add that when the video shows the “smile” tent, the smiles are being removed. Not applied. It then shows Nate rub his face to try to remove the “fake smile” that the industry expects from him and his won’t wipe away.
Lol he’s not handing out balloons lol. He was handing over some of his. And the people in black off by themselves are people who aren’t moving forward and are stuck as they are. You guys are totally getting more right on your first time watching then other people. But you’re also trying to connect some parts that are separate symbols that interact with each other. Lol it’s fun to be like “yes” and “no” while watching. Great video!
My favorite NF song and I'm EARLY?! Winning!! I'm wearing my Leave Me Alone hoodie, too 🥰
Dannngg you winning for reall😭😭💯💯
Looking for the map to hope (you seen it)... NF is on a search for better mental health.. He's on a search trying to deal with all of his fears, burdens, and doubts more effectively. At the end he's contemplating letting go of some of his burdens. Does he do it? The guy in the shopping cart is old NF who hasn't let go of his burdens and is still stuck in the same headspace. The people in white can also be people who have successfully released some of their burdens. In No Name he said he'd get back to Fame when he made album four. Genius level story telling through music.... Great reaction as always! Keep it up
The smile represents what society wants to see even if you’re dying on the inside
I swear you guys are the best reactors to NF cuz you really want to learn, or, at the very least, understand his vision. I’m a relatively new fan of NF, but I feel like I know a bit more than most reactors do. However, Lex really made me think about the symbolism behind NF being pushed in the cart, and that possibly being the industry or music label. That was a really good take that I didn’t think about. 🤔
I believe the ending is Christ "behind the curtain" He takes our burdens and helps us throughout our life, and so here he is giving some of his burdens to God if he is willing to let God help him.
As much as id like to agree nf has put so much drive into not being a christian rapper but a rapper who happens to be christian as much as the white cloaked figure may symbolize jesus i think more broadly it represents aknowledgement in that recognizing your bourdons and forgiving yourself youbare able to move past. Even though in other tracks he discusses the fact that he built his brand on mental termoil and fears moving on and losong his fan base and fame, he feals a level of responsibility he cannot ammount to
VERY darn good view i do believe you may be absolutely correct by this Sean!! Thank you sir
I agree
I always enjoy your reactions to the NF journey. Here are some thoughts that might help.
I think the whole search is for hope and freedom. He says in the song “The Search” that he’s “looking for the map to hope.” In the song “Let Me Go,” he’s talking to his burdens and asks if he’ll feel regret, “if I let you go and find the seven letters I’ve been looking for.” I think those seven letters are F R E E D O M. Also, when he mentions therapy in “The Search,” I think he means quite literally, not music anymore. He mentions it again in the song “Time,” and the overall concept of the song “Nate” is one he got at therapy.
With all of that in mind, I think the people in white are those who have found hope. Sure, they have some burdens like anyone in life, but less of them. Also, if you look at the “fake smile tent” again, you’ll notice they’re not getting smiles painted on but wiped off. I think part of finding hope and freedom involves being real with someone(s) who can help-being fake with people who you can trust to help you won’t lead to any sort of significant change. At the end of this video, I think he wants to let go of some of his burdens, as others do in line, but he’s hesitant for the reasons he mentions in the chorus.
I hope that’s helpful and doesn’t spoil anything. Just some of my thoughts as I’ve tried to dissect the journey.
I wish there was a way you could livestream react with some of us 😂
The balloons are his burdens. Everyone in last scene is holding there burdens. His afraid to let go of them because his burdens got him famous. Also the white clothes is pure like are you ready to gave up your burdens to become pure.
His most creative song on the album
By far one of my most anticipated reactions in this channel. So gald you finally got to it. Amazing interpretation as always. Kepp up the good work
I've been watching NF reactions for nearly two years & you guys are now my favorite. Curious, insightful & gorgeous. You alright too, Brad. 🙃
We all paint smiles on, in our daily, he's just pointing that out.
its so much more than that tho
Honestly you guys just need to do every song on the search. It’s all so deep and profound. A journey within the journey. Enjoying the vids!!!
You guys are one if the best on YT , The breakdowns by lexx man , knowledge for days.Keep doing it guys love your work
This comment is for the end part. I think what he is interpreting in the video and song, is about letting go of his fears or burdens. Because when he says, “I should let them go and watch them float away. I’m scared that if I do then I’ll be more afraid.” (Relating to the balloons which in my opinion represents his fears, burdens, and doubts.) so I think he is saying how even though he is very scared to let his fears go and watch them float away, he is still making the choice to let them go so he can overcome his mental health and self doubts because he knows he has to make the right choice. I have anxiety and ocd as well and I relate so much to his music in terms of his ocd plus he is such an amazing writer. Always inspiring. Love the video, keep it up y’all! Much love from IL.
“Then you’ll drop a song out of nowhere and all the fans embrace it.”
This is exactly what he did with the search. 🖤
Keep em coming!! 👏🏽👏🏽🖤 the people in the video are his actual fans
So NF fans have an advantage because we’ve been listening to this songs for years..we know the lyrics and the call backs. It is a lot to write in comments lol not sure if you’ll read this but do you remember in Therapy session. Listen to his part about smiles..”how do you picture me? Want me to smile want me to laugh you want me to walk in the stage with a smile on my face when I’m mad and put in a mask?”
Lol you also have to think that we had years to listen to his music..therapy session came out in 2016. This song and album that he’s still referencing and calling back to came out in 2019z think of all the time we had to listen to his lyrics and analyze it. You guys are trying to do all that in a matter of weeks😂🙏🏽 we appreciate you guys tho and given that..you are both still doing a pretty good job
I always perceived Nate handing out his balloons as trying to let go of some of his burdens as if he’s gotten through a couple that he’s ready to leave behind
Sorry to keep bugging you but if you haven't seen my other comments , you should include When I grow up on your reaction list. It's a big part of his story as well.
Love NF, have followed for years but it takes a while to get everything. basically each song/album has "easter eggs" kinda have to start from his earliest songs and move forward ...they all pretty much connect and once you notice some youll start to really pick up on bis lyrics, certain words used and meaning behind video props he uses (writing on walls, balloons, face painting, the white outfits, the "old man" in the cart, what mansion stands for) he really is pure genius when it comes to lyrics and putting a story like video to go along with the song. .great reaction video yall 🙏❤🙏❤🙏
Fun fact I was in this music video. You can see me at 9:25 on your video. Such a fun experience. Nate is an awesome dude
😎
First of all great reaction video and you both seem to be falling head first in this rabbit hole too, lol. My notes on listening to your thoughts were: he may be in the cart not in controll of where's he's going now and just along for the ride? Then, the black balloons go away and the people embrace their burdens themselves by changing to the black clothes? And at the end of the video they can share the same burdens cause some people out there are dealing with the same issues too. Your not alone is my thought of this. Its all so deep!
Who else liked b4 watching.
Only me oh ok
Oh hella yeah I be insta liking all of these
I already knew this was gonna be epic
The old guy was him in let you down
Nahhh, def not only you!
me too💜💜💜
That was Iceland , always remember his each balloon is a burden,,, burdens are heavy,, it all explains the balloon. Colour, shoes, clothing, balloons are everything. His albums are like difficult puzzles in all his albums. He had a lot of very heavily important value!!
"I hate to be different but hate to be normal"
Yup.
Lets gooooo!
Can't wait till you see the progress in the next few songs on this classic:
Change, My Stress, Nate, Returns, Only, Hate Myself, Options are all so great.
Toby has it with conformity, also the balloons are his doubts and voices in his head. He is telling all the those doubts in his head to be quiet. You know the voices that make you second guess everything, even more stressed as he gets more successful and all he wants to do is release these voices. OCD ppl definitely feel this. Like everything has to be perfect but what is perfect. Be emotional, not emotional, the industry tell you one thing "be main stream" and then fans react to what your already doing which is working. So you just want all your doubts to go away, he is on the search for peace in his head. The guy at the end is like someone taking one of his doubts away with every song.
I personally think the painted smiles is to represent those that put on a fake smile and people that keep telling him and others to smile more. If you are not happy then you shouldn't hide that fact
Did you notice when he seen other people painting on fake smiles which is what everybody portrays to the outside world he reached up and noticed he could wipe off his fake smile
Love these reactions and you trying to figure it all out with the past videos to help you.
This song, if you give it time and go through it enough.. strings so so much together. And the balloons are his burdens and problems.
In that tent scene if I'm not mistaken it looks like the people in line are surrendering their balloons. To me the smile on the back of the tent represents some type of therapy. The song to me is him struggling with the fact that he knows he needs to get help. He has talked about it in other tracks. His fear that if he addresses his issues he won't have subject matter anymore. At the end I think that shows that he's finally ready to address his issues because he can't take the thoughts in his head anymore. Just my thoughts. Keep up the great works guys!
Bright in the morning hyped for the new track! Hope to see your Take if possible tomorrow!! Let’s make América hear NF!!!! God knows we need it!!
You should react to NF - interview explaining his OCD being an outcast in hip-hop and more💯💪🏽 Love your video
Remember in intro 3 the conversation he was having with fear...."You can't get rid of all of me I'm the reason why Nah, shut up, I don't wanna hear another sentence" and in this when he's talking about loosening up his grip but 'they say it's not ok' I imagine that to be fear.
WELCOME! Ya'll made it, you guys caught up lol👊💯
Great reaction👌
They are wiping off the black smile. The smile was referenced in outcast as being his weird smile. The black balloons are his doubts, and his pain, referenced in paid my dues. When they go through the tents, they are giving that up to be normal. But what I’m still confused on seeing is that everyone who is going through and giving up the balloons and smiles don’t look happy. I think he’s having a hard time giving up his because he is seeing everyone give up there’s and how unhappy they look. It’s a great song.
His identity is rooted in his burdens, trauma and emotions and they are constantly hovering over him. Casting a shadow. He wants them to leave him alone. But at the same time if he lets them go he is not sure who he will be (his identity) without them. He is letting go of some of his burdens at the end. (to whom.... that is up for interpretation) He is searching for his identity along with hope and freedom that comes from letting his burdens go....
The hand at the end is like saying, let me take your burdens away! The balloons are his burdens. So it’s letting go of his burdens
I think the therapy of doing his music is helping NF deal with/get rid of(give away) balloons. ?
Amazing reaction!! Incredible song!
Bruh I be so excited for the next video 😂 this is a great album
I have been waiting for this! This is my favorite NF song period. I hope you like it. I can't wait to watch this one. I had 2 Finals today so I had to be good and study instead of watching NF Reactions. I am so glad these two classes are finally finished.
He is sharing his burdens and letting us know that we are all one but they want to keep attacking him like they are different and not one with him.
Great stuff! Keep it up, looking forward to seeing more
They are taking off the smiles btw.
This is the song that turned me on to NF... I hadn’t heard him bf this.. yea I was late lol ☺️ but I caught up... ❤️🥰🥰🥰..he has OCD... I have severe OCD... I related so much to this song... his OCD is alllllll through his songs... people think ocd is just about cleaning... not even close.. it’s hard.. I love him I’ve never related so much to a artist in my life...✝️❤️🙏
Love this song, one of my favorites for sure. ❤
😂Y'all were sooo engrossed in the sick video that you missed provably all the bars /lyrics 😂... I was laughing throughout at your expressions /confusion but still a bit sad you missed the dope lyrics...😔💔.... Well can't really blame you guys cause this video was indeed overwhelming 😅...
Dope reaction guys can't wait for the next
Thanks!! I dropped the ball. Lex is supposed to be into the video and I'm supposed to do the lyrics lol. Oops 😬
When the song dropped i interpreted him giving the balloons (his burdens) too god now he is finally able too heal from the past...god tells us too cast our burdens on him for he cares for us.
This one kinda creeps me out, not gonna lie. Like, I like the song, but video is anxiety inducing. I don't know why. Lol Love the reaction!
😁👍
Awesome guys, you’re getting it keep them coming
Hiii, great reaction!! Love watching you react to his music :)) Obviously with this song there is a lot of room for interpretation, personally I think that when we look at the video there are many kinds of people, people with drawn smiles, smudges, white clothes, black clothes and all of that. These could be different stages in life that people are in. Also he is pushing his cart around (which I believe is the replacement for his cage but now he can bring it with him, he also sits in it which could be interpreted as him longing to the cage) with his doubts and fears strapped to it. At the end tho it seems like he might be trying to let go of a pair of them. Anyhow this is obviously just an interpretation too but it's always fun to talk about different opinions and perspectives. Keep it up!
Cinematic lyrical rapper. Lion and the lamb of rap. Leaving impressions on naysayers and lyrically a master beast or lyrically awesome making bangers. Lion and the lamb.
Yesss let’s go epik reaction!!!
From someone with bpd, I really feel like nf is borderline as well.... Every emotion, thought, feeling etc hits every one of core contents. The black and white clothes could be a reference to splitting (seeing the world and people as black and white, or good and evil). He said he was diagnosed with ocd, but ocd is a symptom of borderline, combined with multiple other symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, uncontrollable anger, fear of abandonment and more.
I always thought that the people in white were those around him who already had hope. Only a few at first but more as his career goes on. They still might have burdens but they had hope. As his career went on he has been able to help his fans find hope and they in turn have pushed him to find hope for himself. I believe the man at the end behind the curtain is symbolic of Christ. Reaching out to take your burdens but you have to be willing to give them up and find hope in Jesus. Changing cloths is symbolic of changing your life. That's just how I saw it. Great reaction guys.
10:30 - she very astutely describes the difference between Anxiety and common stress that so few seem to understand correctly... even those who experience it. Anxiety is like a debilitating fear which is subconsciously related to unacknowledged emotional trauma... trauma often attaches and hides itself within a specific emotion unbeknownst to the individual... so all they experience is that whenever they feel this specific emotion (guilt, shame, rejection, inadequicy, loneliness, etc) their body subconsciously goes into an Anxiety, panic, or fear mode bonanza... subconsciously the way most cope is to change their emotional state from that specific state of emotion to anything else as quickly as possible. That will manifest itself in many different and sometimes questioning ways such as impulsive decisions, anything that offers instant gratification... shopping, sex, drug use, alcohol, violence, pain, etc... some have such high anxiety that when having an anxiety attack or breakdown, their brain scan looks almost exactly the same as a brain scan from an individual experiencing physical or psychological torture. So very much the same way someone being physically tortured will say anything or admit to anything regardless of truth if they believe it to possibly stop the torture. Ppl in this state of anxiety may also do nearly anything within their power to decrease or end the intense anxiety, and most often this is all taking place amongst them subconsciously or at least not consciously acknowledged.
💯💯💯 there’s levels to this
I think you are correct that over the albums and him sharing is burdens, however I can see it as him sharing his burdens allows him to let them go.
My theory is: since he addressed doubt and fame in this song and both conversations pretty much ended up finished that could also mean 2 issues solved => 2 less balloons....my thoughts
This song explain a lot of things about NF 🔥👌
Great reaction
A bit of information Frist
Nf openly said in a interview that after he related perception and after all his touring he enter himself into a mental facility for 2 weeks where he said that he wrote some of the song in this album and also said he has a ocd therpest that he see every week and said that even know he will ring her when he away on tours and he also goes in to more details about his ocd and how he is trying to get better control of it
Anyway This video is so deep it links all the way back to therapy session album where he show the family wearing all white which represents( purity) and the black fake smile and it to represent that people act like everything is perfect when it nó
the white represents ( purity) that why you see the kids waring it when nf is talking to them he link that further on in the journey in (i miss the days)
Also in therapy season you see nf draws the fake smile on himself but he is waring all black which represent that his (not pure) but he still put on a fack smile so people don't know his not perfect but he still waring black so even if he put on a fake smile people can still see he not perfect
Then in the search nf say he searching for the map to hope
and then at the end you see a person in white giving him white clothes
Then in leave me alone he reaches the amusement Park which is support to be fun and people are happy but you see all the people in white still has burdens or the fake smile but then you see them wiping out off booth then you see nf try a wipe away his but then he move on
Then you see that he come across the place where people are changing from the black clothes to the whier clothes
Next you see nf in a place facing a old man in a cart he said he got the idea from when he went to therapy he had a sit cross on an Empty chair and pretend he was talking himself The old man could represent old nf that why you see him count the balloons
Then the last part you see him take 2 of his burdens and give them away we'll start to give them away
Me and my hubby are in this video! My hubby is pushing Nate in the cart! #bestdayever
I think its his experience with getting therapy. People are waiting for their turn to get their fake smiles wiped off. All the patients pointing to his balloons telling him he should address his burdens. As they progress through therapy the change from the dark clothes to the white..... Then at the end he takes the step of beginning to let go of his burdens
I take the symbolism of him giving away a couple of the balloons; As him relinquishing some of his burdens.
Oh and the first time I saw this I also thought they were painting smiles on the people's faces, but they are actually wiping off the fake smiles from the people in white.
I love your channel you guys are Awesome !
Thanks for being a part of it John!!
One cool thing about the “called fame back and sent him this song” is when you think about the title of the song “Leave me alone”. He was telling fame to leave him alone which is part of the reason why fame said the song sucks.
been waiting for thisssss :)
The symbolization of the white and black clothes represent good and evil at the end he was given his burdens over to a higher power in all white
Just how y’all found out about NF is what he’s talking about at 4:56. He goes quite for a couple months then drops something and everyone goes nuts.
You two are killing me with this one! Dang! I think you were both so mesmerized by the visuals you kind missed the everything. It's funny, because usually you get most everything and even bring on a new perspective. It is probably because I have watched this video so many times things came together. But I remember when I bought this album and was playing it in my car, it took me two weeks to realize he was talking about his thoughts. And another two weeks to realize it was actually not a real person NF hung up on. The funniest part of this song is when he calls Fame back, (having predicted it, foreshadowed in No Name) and sends him a song called "Leave Me Alone!" Master craftsmanship. And then this made up personification of Fame doesn't get back to NF for a few days. And NF even says he texted him! Really? Too funny. Then the best part for us reactors is to hear NF say Fame told him the song sucks! LOL. This may be a slight dig at mainstream aka Outcast who won't give him due respect. How did he know Rolling Stones was going to diss The Search album? But I digress, everyone is shocked, laughs, is surprised when Fame tells him this song sucks! It is classic entertainment. Anyways, love you guys and every song on The Search is a masterpiece. I can't wait for tomorrow. One last thing, at this point their are two equally compelling trains of thought on the people in white. One group thinks they are people who have learned to give up more of their burdens, but are in different stages of wiping off fake smiles, keeping some balloons etc. And in this regard, NF giving two of his burdens away may by symbolic of God waiting and willing to take them. The other school of thought is the people in white are ones who take medication (anti-depressants), and have given up their feelings. But now they kind of walk around like zombies and put on fake smiles etc. So in this realm, the end of the video is more of a doctor trying to push drugs onto NF. I am sure there are hundreds of other theories, but those are the two I like.
"filled my balloons up with doubts" ... "I loosen up my grip they say thats not ok"... Hes trying to get rid of his doubts but hes scared if he does he will be "more afraid"
I go to my room and sit in the corner, I talk to myself in a language that's foreign... BAR!!!
Regarding the ending. He's talking in this song about how he's scared to let his burdens go because he doesn't want to be more afraid after doing so - he's so attached to them, he doesn't know who he'll be without them. He's at such a war with his identity. But at the same time, the weight of his burdens is too unbearable for him to continue to carry, and he knows he's going to be forced to open up to someone so that they can lighten some of the load for him. Like in Mansion when he explains how he's terrified to open the door, "Is that me or the fear talking", avoidant of ever letting anyone in because he doesn't want to risk feeling so vulnerable and then getting potentially hurt/abandoned by someone when they see his darkness... But being vulnerable is the only way he'll survive his burdens. He knows. And it's putting him in a crisis of doubt. He has to pass some balloons over to someone who wants to help him, or he will be doomed to roam in self-hatred forever. Yet the fear still clings, which is why he hesitates at the end of the video and you don't know whether he's able to hand them over in the end.
I used to think that the people in white suits were his positive thoughts and the black suits were his negative thoughts. I viewed the scenery as if it was the inside of his head. And he's always battling trying to convert his thoughts. He said in Changes - "Positive thoughts are my rivals." He doesn't like change but he'll try it. So he's always trying, while still having negativity in his head... the painted faces on the people in white and said before how he puts on his makeup (the smile) and dwell in self-hatred. He said in another song how he turns positive moments into negative ones. He's in a huge, daily struggle. Like some of are.
The balloons are his burdens(said this in the search), and him almost passing them off is him slowly letting them go
He's healing so he's giving his burdens away look at it like he's talking to a psychiatrist. Don't for get that what the Black balloon signifies
I think that confusing symbolism is by far his best talent, ex: the analogy of balloons being burdens and saying that they’re heavy (but balloons float). Because mental health is one of the most confusing things to us as humans esp depression because true depression is feeling wrong or upset without even knowing why. So the fact that he’s built this entire platform around something that we can’t understand is mind boggling. What I get from the video is that these people that are in white suits, changing appearance and such w each stage, are fans. The people who are actively listening and taking in everything we possibly can. He’s helped us a lot, but I think that he knows that that’s only temporary. Life happens and issues come and go. So while they are dressed in white and have gotten rid of their burdens, they still have black smiles (another amazing analogy) to show that just because it helps doesn’t mean it’s cured...and it also begs the question, who is taking the burdens from them? We don’t ever see who’s behind the curtain and obv Nate wants to drop them off too so who is it? There’s just so much to think about and I mean I’ve listened to this album on repeat since it came out and I feel like I’m just as confused as day 1. Who knows, maybe we’ll be enlightened in a later album...loved the reaction and can’t wait for more!✌️
I think it's medication, or the people in white jumpsuits being medicated because of their burdens and unhappiness being removed and that they're now zombies on the medication.
@@anonymousformysafety4941 could very well be
Ok so the face smile is being removed not painted on.....
my take on this is the people in white still have balloons so they have issues but are dealing with them better than Nat, as they progress through different therapy sessions (the different tents) they get their fake face removed, the next move is to progress on from black to white. Nat is still in black but he is being encouraged/helped (pushed along) by those who have had therapy and are progressing in life. But he’s still not ready to move on. At the end he goes past everyone to the front of the line grabs some balloons but not all, maybe he’s ready to give up some of his issues & lighten his burden but he keeps looking back almost scared to give up his problems as he says in the song he’s more afraid of what comes after!!
Also the last part of therapy is to let go of your issues (the balloons), all the people in the line have moved through the stages of therapy, fake smiles removed, changed from white to black, now they are in line waiting to hand over and let go of their issues..... Nat jumps the queue, he’s trying to progress to the end without going through the stages
This and the last one (The Search) are my favorite NF songs. I’m sure plenty of people have explained the ppl in white and the balloons and painted faces. But my take on the old man in the shopping cart is that is the fate of ppl if they never let go of their burdens and need to keep the security of their mobile cage with them. Also, him handing 2 balloons at the end is him making the decision to let go of a few burdens.
I think the key line in the song is when he says, "I'm scared if I let go I'll be more afraid." The image at the end I think is him 'letting go' of some of his burdens, by giving them to someone who has 'conformed' (as someone else commented on), but he pauses to question whether he wants to let go of them yet... 🤔
I think the black clothes do represent burdens, as well as the balloons. I think he might be helping his fans remove their black clothes and swap it for black balloons. Like the clothes represent deep rooted issues and pain, but the balloons are more manageable and you turn into a happier person without being fully immersed in the black burdens. Nate, however has BOTH black balloons and clothes, so maybe he feels like he has some of his problems sort of under control, but still feels helpless to many others.
Lex said "It's like a circus". Dark Carnival like ICP says.
OMG Brad said "missing link" a joker card of ICP.
love you guys!!
🖤🖤🖤 loooove you Kennedy!!!