French Montana
Encyclopedia
French Montana is an American
rapper and singer of Moroccan
and Somali
descent. He is the founder of Cocaine City Records.
, Morocco
. French emigrated with his mother and little brother in 1996, when he was 13, to the Bronx
in New York City
.
His stage name is a conflation of French
(from the French protectorate of Morocco) and Montana
(from the fictitious Tony Montana
in the 1983 movie Scarface
).
The international success of the DVD series helped to propel French's rap career to an entirely new level. By creating and producing Cocaine City, French Montana evolved from an aspiring rapper in the streets of the Bronx, to the newest rapper to sign with platinum-selling recording artist Akon’s record label, Konvict Music. By early 2009, French had flooded the streets with various mixtape
s, including "Live from Africa", "Laundry Man" with Evil Empire, and "In Demand" with DJ Lazy K. His frequent collaborations with Harlem-bred rapper Max B
have also helped keep a steady buzz, and helped fuel the success of the duo’s latest project, the mixtape/DVD combo "Coke Wave."
's Konvict Muzik
record label
, but left the label in 2011 due to album delays. He is reportedly close to signing a deal with Rick Ross
's Maybach Music Group
. There are also reports that he may sign to Kanye West
's GOOD Music
label.
Montana is currently signed to Debra Antney
's Mizay Entertainment Management.
Collaboration albums
Mix-tapes
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper and singer of Moroccan
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
and Somali
Somali people
Somalis are an ethnic group located in the Horn of Africa, also known as the Somali Peninsula. The overwhelming majority of Somalis speak the Somali language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family...
descent. He is the founder of Cocaine City Records.
Background
Karim Kharbouch, better known by his stage name French Montana, was born in RabatRabat
Rabat , is the capital and third largest city of the Kingdom of Morocco with a population of approximately 650,000...
, Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
. French emigrated with his mother and little brother in 1996, when he was 13, to the Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
His stage name is a conflation of French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
(from the French protectorate of Morocco) and Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
(from the fictitious Tony Montana
Tony Montana
Antonio Raimundo "Tony" Montana is a fictional character from the 1983 film Scarface. He is portrayed by Al Pacino in the movie, and is voiced by André Sogliuzzo in the 2006 video game Scarface: The World Is Yours. Tony Montana has become a cultural icon and is one of the most famous movie...
in the 1983 movie Scarface
Scarface (1983 film)
Scarface is a 1983 American epic crime drama movie directed by Brian De Palma, written by Oliver Stone, produced by Martin Bregman and starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana...
).
Cocaine City Records
In 2002, French Montana created the Cocaine City DVD imprint as a means of showcasing his talent as an underground artist and a new voice from the New York streets. To gain a broader fan base, French incorporated interviews with major artists, as well as some up and comers. What started out as simply a medium for developing an audience quickly grew into one of the top-selling "street DVDs".The international success of the DVD series helped to propel French's rap career to an entirely new level. By creating and producing Cocaine City, French Montana evolved from an aspiring rapper in the streets of the Bronx, to the newest rapper to sign with platinum-selling recording artist Akon’s record label, Konvict Music. By early 2009, French had flooded the streets with various mixtape
Mixtape
A Mix Tape or Mixed Tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an audio Compact Cassette.A Mix Tape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a...
s, including "Live from Africa", "Laundry Man" with Evil Empire, and "In Demand" with DJ Lazy K. His frequent collaborations with Harlem-bred rapper Max B
Max B
Charly Wingate , better known as Max B, is an American rapper and songwriter from Harlem and is known for his original rap style of mumbled delivery, catchy sing-song choruses & hooks, and his energetic personality in interviews and videos.In 2009, Max B began serving a 75-year prison sentence for...
have also helped keep a steady buzz, and helped fuel the success of the duo’s latest project, the mixtape/DVD combo "Coke Wave."
2009-Present
In 2009, French Montana signed a deal with AkonAkon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
's Konvict Muzik
Konvict Muzik
Kon Live Distribution is a record label founded by R&B singer Akon. It is his alternate R&B/Hip hop label.-Artists:*Colby O'Donis*Jeffree Star*Kardinal Offishall*Kat DeLuna*Lady Gaga*Natalia Kills*Brittian Scott*Ray Lavender- Discography :...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, but left the label in 2011 due to album delays. He is reportedly close to signing a deal with Rick Ross
Rick Ross
Rick, Ricky or Richard Ross may also refer to:* Rick Ross , American rapper* Richard J. Ross, a Massachusetts State Senator* Richard Ross , an American photographer...
's Maybach Music Group
Maybach Music Group
Maybach Music Group is a record label founded by Rick Ross, currently distributed by Warner Bros. Records, which took over distribution following the expiration of a deal with Def Jam Recordings....
. There are also reports that he may sign to Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
's GOOD Music
GOOD Music
GOOD Music is a record label and management firm founded by music producer and artist Kanye West. "GOOD" is an acronym for "Getting Out Our Dreams".-History:...
label.
Montana is currently signed to Debra Antney
Debra Antney
Debra Antney is the founder and CEO of Atlanta-based management and recording company Debra Antney is the founder and CEO of Atlanta-based management and recording company Debra Antney is the founder and CEO of Atlanta-based management and recording company (home to Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka, OJ...
's Mizay Entertainment Management.
Discography
Studio albums- TBA: Excuse My French
Collaboration albums
- 2011: Lock Out (with Waka Flocka FlameWaka Flocka FlameJuaquin Malphurs , better known by his stage name Waka Flocka Flame, is an American rapper signed to 1017 Brick Squad and Warner Bros. He is a Southern hip hop artist best known for his singles "O Let's Do It", "Hard in da Paint" & "No Hands", along with his debut album, Flockaveli...
)
Mix-tapes
- 2007: French Revolution
- 2008: Live From Africa
- 2008: Coke Wave (with Max BMax BCharly Wingate , better known as Max B, is an American rapper and songwriter from Harlem and is known for his original rap style of mumbled delivery, catchy sing-song choruses & hooks, and his energetic personality in interviews and videos.In 2009, Max B began serving a 75-year prison sentence for...
) - 2009: Coke Wave 2 (with Max BMax BCharly Wingate , better known as Max B, is an American rapper and songwriter from Harlem and is known for his original rap style of mumbled delivery, catchy sing-song choruses & hooks, and his energetic personality in interviews and videos.In 2009, Max B began serving a 75-year prison sentence for...
) - 2009: The Laundry Man (Hosted by Evil Empire & Big Mike)
- 2009: Mac Wit Da Cheese (Hosted by Big Mike)
- 2009: The Laundry Man 2 (Hosted by Evil Empire)
- 2009: Cocaine Konvicts (Hosted by DJ DramaDJ DramaTyree Cinque Simmons better known as DJ Drama is an American hip hop artist and the official DJ for Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I.....
) - 2010: Mac & Cheese 2 (Hosted by Evil Empire, Self & Big Mike)
- 2010: Coke Boys (with Coke Boys)(Hosted by DJ Diggz, DJ DramaDJ DramaTyree Cinque Simmons better known as DJ Drama is an American hip hop artist and the official DJ for Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I.....
& DJ Lust) - 2011: Mr. 16: Casino Life (Hosted by DJ Holiday)
- 2011: Coke Boys 2 (with Coke Boys)(Hosted by Evil Empire)
- 2011: Coke Boys Run NY (with Chinx Drugz) (Hosted by Evil Empire)