Born Karim Kharbouch, rapper French Montana migrated from Morocco to the United States at the age of 13. Landing in the South Bronx, he was in a position to absorb and embrace hip-hop culture first-hand. Fast-forward many years later, he’s not only a product of the culture, but he’s also a big influencer. Yet, there’s still an element of mystery around him.
After news broke via TMZ the “Pop That” artist was in the ICU for an undisclosed medical emergency, the music industry was puzzled. People magazine shared that Megan Thee Stallion was one of many visitors who checked up on him, and according to an update provided by TMZ, he was finally released from the hospital and ordered one month of bed rest.
While we wish him a speedy recovery, we thought we’d uncover some interesting facts about him. Here are 10 things you never knew about French Montana.
1. His survival tools
In a recent interview with GQ, French Montana discussed the things he can’t live without. While most were predictable (a robe, designer slip-on shoes, etc.) it was what he carries day-to-day that we found particularly interesting.
You can count on French Montana to have these items in order to survive: Listerine spray, a hairbrush, some lip balm, a lavender pouch (in case he finds himself stressed, he smells it), cologne, and well… Magnum condoms (heyyy, big head!)
2. French Montana beat the odds
2003 was a rough year for the rapper. French Montana shared that someone in his camp got the drop on him and set him up to be robbed. The altercation left him shot in the head, one of the guys lost his life, and French Montana was ultimately accused of murder.
While he’d make a full recovery and beat the charges, a few years later, VLAD TV spoke with the rapper in 2008, where he called the incident “regular s**t”.
Imma go with, nah. This isn’t a regular happenstance, but with street life comes a different experience for us all.
3. Did his album Jungle Rules flop?
One of the best ways to solidify your presence in the music game is through collaborations. If you want to really shake it up, you’ll cross genres and create magic that has everyone talking. In conversation with Larry King, the rapper revealed that he reached out to Adele to collaborate on his sophomore album, Jungle Rules. She declined, but I’d say having Travis Scott, T.I. and Future make appearances isn’t a bad alternative.
4. He received an expensive gift from Kanye West
French Montana has made it no secret that he believes Kanye West is a genius (meh). And it looks like his admiration for the rapper runs back years.
In an interview with Wendy Williams, French Montana revealed that Kany emade him a personal pair of white Yeezy sneakers as a gift. Someone did try and buy them from him for $25,000, but he declined. These were made just for him and he owns the only pair. Pretty cool, right?
5. Mac & cheese, please
Coke and macaroni and cheese make multiple appearances as mixtape titles throughout French Montana’s discography. And while the usage of Coke is a part of the rapper’s campaign to use the negativity around coke/cocaine to gain fame, the ladder has always left me guessing.
French Montana shared with Wendy Williams that he uses mac & cheese so much because “it’s the most soulful dish that you can eat, and it’s soulful music.”
6. He has some exotic pets
While most of us opt for the traditional cat or dog, with money comes access and French Montana has used his to get him his own pet monkey named Julius Caesar. Julius has his own caretaker (which, I mean, I’d hope so), and only flies private (again, I don’t know that he has any other option here). The two share a tight bond and you can see this situation obliviously works for both of them!
7. French Montana purchased some pricey real estate
Even though French Montana grew up in New York, he decided to invest in property in Los Angeles. TMZ reports he purchased Selena Gomez’s old home in Calabasas, Calif.
He purchased the digs for $3.3 million — a cool $150,000 under the asking price. But, if you think that’s a deal, you should probably know that Selena moved because a stalker infiltrated her home multiple times.
8. French Montana’s smooth skin secret
In an interview with the NY Times, French Montana shared that baby oil is his “secret” to maintaining smooth skin. He doesn’t eat after 8 o’clock, and he prefers to juice. He also shared that he’s not a breakfast guy. Instead, he opts for eating bananas.
That seems like a win, especially for Julius Caesar; they can share snacks together.
9. He’s not afraid to ask for help
In a day and age where rappers brag about writing their own raps, French Montana is among a select few who are okay with acknowledging the process of creating. While speaking with The Breakfast Club, he was opening with celebrating that he writes all of his music. He continued to state that if he’s in the studio and other people are there, he will accept help from collaborators.
10. French Montana is a charitable rapper
As a native of the motherland, French Montana feels especially obligated to contribute to his home country of Morocco. When chatting with The Undefeated, he shared that he’s committed to giving back and building more schools in his home country of Morocco. He knows first hand what it’s like to not have all the tools needed to be successful and how a solid school environment can aid in growth. And, thankfully, he has the resources to help out!
Hey guys, could you tell French Montana Adrianna your baby mother wrote to me. She really needs your help with your son. French has abandoned Vicente and me to welfare and the hood of Boston. The Roxbury/Dorchester area that is black poverty and I really need French. French used to live in Boston 2000s
I am Adrianna. I live in Boston. I have a baby with rapper French Montana. He has abandoned me. I really need his help with his son. Vicente. We had sex. Sept/oct 2019. At a Moroccan hookah lounge in Charlestown, Boston Ma. I was working as a waitress. French came to see me. We have a mutual friend who has us meet. French sneaks to Boston sometimes or I’ve seen him in NY. After fame. Before fame. French used to live in Boston. Brockton. He wasn’t with his ego to think less of me.
French gave me a combo of drugs. French was also on drugs. We had sex. I got pregnant. He has not done anything. No money. Nothing for his new baby Vicente. I had a very lonely sad even abusive pregnancy. I am very depressed and hurt. Many friends of French gave shade on social media since 2019. Many show off they are having sex with my baby father. I am hurt. I still need French.
I lost my job waitressing at yard house a family restaurant in Fenway park Red Sox season. Lunch and dinner shift. Waitressing is labor and hard. Especially Red Sox games. It was very painful to work as French was giving girls money and gifts. Showing off his money. Girls laughing knowing I am with his child abandoned. Even French giving me his hate. I really don’t like hoes. I really hate girls. I have been on food stamps since pregnancy. Have no money. I also worked at a call center hourly wage I lost. The commute 1 hr on train. Now I won’t work. French is the father of my son Vicente has 22 million net worth. Shows off his luxury lifestyle, fame, and millions. I’m am very angry. Hurt. Depressed.
I still need French to come to Boston. Help me with his son. Vicente. Pay my bills. Apologize to me again and again. I want flowers and diamonds. Shopping. Wear nicer clothes. I’ve been in pjs and sweats crying. In an old apartment in the hood. I want my baby boy nursery. A nice new home. Live outside the hood. Money to spoil my son and myself. Working as a waitress everyone is eating and ordering everything. I want to go out to eat with French and our son. I want to go to the children’s museum with French and our son. To go to Disney world. I never been. To go art museum, zoo, aquarium, and other children activities. French is my sons father. Many girls hate me. Are jealous. As he talks on the phone all day to them. I want to hear his voice on my phone line. I want to see him. Have him next to me. Spend time together. Ask him why are you doing this? I need you.
There is a lot of jealousy for me. Hate. Many girls love French. Want his baby. Hate me for getting pregnant. Vicente want to take him. I have a social services case in Boston. DCF. I had everyone family, friends, and the mandate reporters all work together to get a DCF case. My family is very toxic and it can get abusive. There is no support and I really need French to move me out. I have no one. Only him. I’m worried. I do not have family that is kind, supportive, giving, caring to me. It has always been abusive since I was a kid. Now it’s emotional abuse and I didn’t forgive or feel comfortable from past betrayals and abuse years ago. I really need French to help me with Vicente. I need him more than anyone knows. There is a lot of hate and jealousy for me. French not to care worst love me. French to love my son. As he is my son. He can’t even call. Or give me anything. No purse, no shoes, nothing there’s something going on personally that Individuals around me really don’t. Like me. Got angry I was pregnant and birthed. Angry French was having sex with me, got me pregnant. I’ve had people pressure me to put Vicente in adoption. I’m very worried as I am vulnerable. Scared. Do you hate me too? I want to love my son, be a mother. Yes I am hurt now. Still love French the father of my son very much. I need him. I want to Hear his voice. Talk all day, see him. Touch him. I am angry still want a hug. His friends don’t like me. Girls are jealous of me.
I’m very depressed and hurt. I need French to help me with his son.
As French Montana has 22 million and luxury life; fame: Vicente his son does need money for life as French lives. French living luxury his son 4 pair is shoes, Marshall’s and donations on welfare: I’m in pjs in an apartment in the hood on welfare. Yes French has to take care of me. Be a father. Love his son. Appreciate my pain as I reach out to everyone I need French to help me with his son. I want to no worry about money, any bills, French is a millionaire. Vicente and I should be spoiled and loved, who says otherwise. Jealous and envious. I am very hurt by everyone.
French has been giving money to everyone, paying their bills, giving girls purses and shoes. Shopping,
No one likes me. I don’t want to be friends. It’s about greed and being jealous of me. Not have any reason to be jealous so tell French again and again to abandon me in the hood. Don’t want me a brand, to be in make up, hair, have my figure, give me any work in entertainment industry. Not even have French spend time with me. Don’t want me To be sexy, beautiful, any fame. Many hate me.
I have no media training. Never took any classes. Never dealt with media. I do really need French to help me with his son. I really need him. I really need French to help me with his new baby Vicente. Vicente is now 18 months.