French Montana Claims Streaming Numbers "Brainwash Artists" Despite Dropping 126-Track Album

BYLavender AlexandriaPublished on March 07, 20243.7K Views

Celebrities Visit SiriusXM - February 23, 2024

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 23: French Montana visits SiriusXM at SiriusXM Studios on February 23, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

The rapper was labeled a hypocrite in the wake of his new album.

French Montana has had a fascinating few weeks as far as sales numbers go. It started back in January when he announced his new album Mac & Cheese 5. He sold vinyl editions of the album for just $5, leading many fans to purchase copies who might not have otherwise. That turned out to be the first of a few tactics used to try and boost the total sales numbers of the album. But the most notable tactic came from its various releases on streaming services.

Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music got numerous versions of Mac & Cheese 5. In addition to the regular version of the album he also shared a Sped-Up version, slowed-down version, instrumental version, acapella version, and deluxe edition. All of those versions were additionally compiled together into a massive 126-track "Versions" album. The move was roundly criticized online and Montana was forced to defend his move, but didn't do a great job at convincing fans. Now some new comments he's making about streaming numbers have fans rolling their eyes in the wake of his move. Check out the remarks he made below.

French Montana Calls Out Streaming Numbers

In a recent interview, Montana claimed that artists are being "brainwashed" to try and get the highest possible streaming numbers. Additionally he expanded on his point saying that it's changing the way people make music. "It's taking the love out of music. People are not making the music that they love no more. People are chasing those numbers."

The comments look even more hypocritical in the wake of his alleged vinyl fraud. Fans who ordered the $5 vinyls back in January are reporting that they were never received. Most fans got shipping confirmations with seemingly random addresses multiple states away on them. What do you think of French Montana claiming streaming numbers are taking the love out of music? Do you think he has any right to say that after the attempts at inflating streaming numbers, he made with his new album? Let us know in the comment section below.

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About The Author

Lavender Alexandria

Lavender Alexandria is a music and culture journalist based in Los Angeles, California. She’s covered dozens of musical genres and styles from the most mainstream to the most experimental and underground on her blog and accompanying YouTube channel that looks at music, pop culture, and Billboard charts since 2017: Lav’s Music Corner. Lavender has produced editorial and listicle content both in written and video form over the past far years and has also interviewed up-and-coming artists like Censored Dialogue. Her experiences covering culture have taken her from Hyperpop parties in LA to underground rap shows in Atlanta, to DIY punk shows in Charlotte. Lavender has also written for iHeartRadio, covering some of the biggest artists in Hip Hop such as Ice Spice, Drake, Doja Cat and Cardi B. She also has bylines with ScreenRant and continues to write for Ringtone magazine. Lavender is a lifelong Charlotte Hornets fan and her favorite rap artists include Clipping, Little Simz, Earl Sweatshirt, and Kendrick Lamar.