The fate of the famous rapper French Montana is similar to a touching Disney tale about how a beggar boy from a poor quarter of brilliant New York turned first into a prince, and then into a real king ...
Challenging start to French Montana
Karim Harbush (real name of the artist) was born on November 9, 1984 in hot Casablanca. When the future star was 12 years old, the family moved to New York.
But the city of dreams did not immediately live up to expectations. If in Morocco the family still somehow "kept afloat", then in America everything became much more complicated. Karim's father, who could not get a job in the metropolis, left his family and returned to his homeland.
So for the young man, childhood ended - suddenly, treacherously. Now he had to take responsibility for his pregnant mother and little brother Zach.
The first step to the creativity of French Montana
It took Karim a very long time to find a common language with his peers in New York, both literally and figuratively. His native languages were French and Arabic, he also mastered English.
But the general love of the local punks for basketball and rap Karim wholeheartedly shared. And when there was an urgent need to earn money to feed my mother and brothers, rap turned from a hobby into a profession.
For the first time, Harbush entered the impromptu rap battle scene under the pseudonym Young French (Young Frenchman). And the first business project in 2002 was the release of the DVD-series Cocaine City, the plot "trick" of which was interviews with beginners and already famous rappers.
The project opened up street culture to New Yorkers in a romantic light.
French Montana Revolution
The pseudonym French Montana, thanks to which Karim enjoyed worldwide popularity, arose in 2007 with the release of the first French Revolution collection. Vol. 1 ("The French Revolution. Volume 1").
These singles, indeed, have become a real revolution in both rap and American culture in general.
Very quickly, Max B drew attention to the talented brave guy, together with whom two records were released. And thanks to his work with the famous actor, rapper Diddy French Montana became famous on New York radio.
In 2012, not Karim, but French won his place under the stage sun, and famous producers Sean Combs and Akon fought for the right to work with him. And the well-known XXL magazine on its pages called the rapper "Breakthrough-2012".
Duet of Karim Kharbush with fame
A year later, the revolutionary rapper's first studio album was released, reconciling two producers to work in one project. The album Excuse My French (“Sorry for my French”) was recorded with Lil Wayne, The Weeknd, Ne-Yo and other famous artists.
A circulation of 56 discs was sold out within a week, it took the 4th position on the Billboard 200. At the same time, the Pop That composition was named the main hit of 2013.
A separate place in the work of French Montana is occupied by duets. The second studio album, recorded in 2017 under the telling title Jungle Rules (“Rules of the Jungle”), was recorded in this format. This work finally strengthened the position of the performer in the world of show business and brought him a gold certificate.
One of the most famous duets was the composition I Luh Ya Papi, recorded with Hollywood star Jennifer Lopez.
The personal life of the artist French Montana
Karim's personal life can also be called one continuous revolution. In 2007, he married a simple girl Dina, his son Cruz was born, five years later he filed for divorce, without explaining the reasons to anyone.
Then there were many different novels - either long (as, for example, with Khloe Kardashian), then fleeting - with models and stage colleagues.
Despite such loving nature, his attitude towards children speaks about how important family values are for a rap star.
After the divorce, he not only continues to raise his thirteen-year-old son, but also takes a direct part in the fate of his beloved nephews - the sons of his younger brothers.
Kind heart
Not only French Montana tracks can be called gold. His big heart is made of the same material. In his infrequent interviews, he rarely talks about charity, which, it turns out, he has been doing for many years.
“I know firsthand what poverty and hunger are. I would like to have as few people as possible on Earth who also know about this ... ".
His generous charitable work in Uganda led the singer to become an ambassador for Global Citizen two years ago, one of the world's premier charities.
In 2018, he finally officially became a citizen of the United States of America.
On the edge
In 2003, French Montana was shot in the head. Doctors' forecasts were very contradictory. But as Karim admits: “The fact that I survived then is my second chance. I was born twice, so I must leave a mark.
This is such an American fairy tale. What will be its ending depends, of course, on the main "screenwriter" and a little - on French Montana, who so far writes his fate with confidence and talent. So, there must be a happy ending here.
French Montana today
In 2019, the rapper, with the participation of Future, recorded the track "NASA". Even then, many fans suggested that the song would be included in the artist's third studio album. The rapper did not disappoint the expectations of the "fans", and still presented the Montana record.
The release of the fourth LP was delayed for several years. In 2021, Montana expanded his discography with the compilation They Got Amnesia. The album was warmly received by fans and music critics.
In June 2022, Montana and Frode teamed up for the collaborative album Montega. Critics have already dubbed the guys' record as the best collaboration. It's the perfect New York sound.
And for those who don’t know, we’ll tell you: not a single rapper’s album was complete without beats from Frode. Not surprisingly, the collaboration turned into a joint venture.
