From the start of his career, NF has plowed his own path. Despite being courted by major record labels, he chooses to release his music through his own label, NF Real Music LLC.

By remaining independent, NF has maintained creative control over his music and image. Rather than making commercial songs to gain fame, the Michigan MC infuses his music with deeply personal and emotional lyrics that touch on subjects such as mental health, addiction, and his own personal struggles.

NF has always followed his instincts and refused to compromise, leading him to become the successful, independent artist he is today. Here, he reflects on his chosen path to success and states he has absolutely no regrets.

I had on last week, am I ashamed?
You heard the sayin', "If it ain't broke
Don't fix it," that's my motto

NF's motto emphasizes the importance of sticking with an approach that works rather than making unnecessary changes.
In the first verse, NF reflects on the possibility of taking the expected path to success, which would involve moving to Los Angeles, signing a major record deal, and featuring A-list artists on his debut album to achieve a #1 hit. However, NF chose to pave his own way by writing and producing his music from his bedroom in Michigan, despite initial doubts about his unconventional approach.

He ends the verse by showing how he has evolved both as an artist and as an individual over time. For years, he craved the visibility he felt he deserved, but NF no longer seeks external validation or approval to feel confident about his music.

I used to be the guy who'd kill to get a number one
I had to hear "That song's a hit" before I thought it was
But nowadays I don't really give a... (What?)

By keeping it clean instead of using profanity in his lyrics, NF exemplifies this self-awareness. Here, he purposefully cuts himself off at the end of a verse before uttering a cuss word.
On the hook, NF expresses how the once-glamorous entertainment industry has lost its appeal to him, and he no longer feels the need to conform to fit in.

In the second verse, NF critiques the music industry, suggesting it values appearances over music quality. He further argues that this emphasis on superficial elements has drained the creativity from hip-hop. By embracing his non-commercial credo, NF can enjoy the freedoms and opportunities that would not have been possible had he followed a different path.
NF co-wrote "Motto" with his regular collaborator Tommee Profitt. Producer and songwriter Profit, who like NF hails from Michigan, has been a significant creative force behind many of the rapper's biggest hits, helping to shape his unique sound and style.
The music video depicts NF causing chaos at a high-profile awards show, dressed comfortably in a cozy sweatsuit. NF co-directed the clip with his go-to visual collaborator Patrick Tohill.

The boy standing outside the building and on the red carpet also appears in NF's 2019 track "When I Grow Up." In that song's visual, NF performs for a small audience that includes the same boy. Both NF and the boy wear gray shirts and drink from straws, creating a visual link between the two songs.