French Montana’s career is fascinating. He began as a battle rapper, marketing his art through the Bronx-based Cocaine City DVD series, eventually becoming one of rap’s most under-appreciated hitmakers. Like so many rapper’s that came up during French’s era his discography is intimidating, and most haven’t taken the time to search through the nooks and crannies of it. When you begin to sort through his vast amount of music, what you find is a goldmine, a rapper who experiments with new styles, who is open to different production, and most important of all, an underrated rapper.
French Montana has battled criticism for most of his career. Some think he’s boring and others feel that his rapping ability is juvenile, but as you dig further through his discography you quickly learn that none of this true. Over the years, French has held his own on tracks with rappers such as Rick Ross, Drake, Lil Wayne, Jadakiss, Snoop Dogg, Raekwon and the list goes on, but the two most important frequent collaborators of French’s career are the late Chinx Drugz and the still-awaiting-freedom Max B. A large portion of French’s greatest music has been recorded with these two by his side, and each in their own way, were vital parts of French’s reach extending outside of the Bronx to the entire world. Chinx Drugz generally kept French grounded, on tracks where French would explore a new flow or test his vocal limits, Chinx would be there to keep that traditional New York sound in tact. Then, when French would begin to settle into the more reserved parts of his personality, Max B would bring the passion and natural competitiveness out of French making their collaborations some of the best.
With all that said, French’s sound is where he really built his fan base, and the producer that laid the foundation was Harry Fraud. French and Harry Fraud have been one of rap’s premier rapper/producer duos for nearly a decade and along the way have both elevated each other. French’s bread and butter on his come up was floating over the masterly-flipped Harry Fraud samples, reaching to the depths of music from classic rock, funk and pop to jazz, funk and soul. French’s fans have come to appreciate the unpredictable Harry Fraud sample choices and for good reason, as much of French’s greatest music is brought to you by the wild mind of Harry Fraud.
French, throughout his long career, has made a ton of great music and some of it has hardly gotten any exposure. This is why we put together a list of the 25 best French Montana songs to show appreciation to one of rap’s most consistent stars.
Bring Dem Things ft Pharrell
“Bring Dem Things” off of French’s most recent album Jungle Rules is one of the strongest tracks on the project, as French invites Pharrell to rap over the bombastic Harry Fraud beat. The track includes a sample of Organized Konfusion’s “Stress” which adds an old school New York element to the song and French simply excels. The standout part of the track is the very start of French’s verse where there is a Harry Fraud breakdown in the beat and French quickly spits a couple of bars over it (“Here’s a little story about a kid from Morocco/Had to show Carlito I was Benny Blanco”).
Off The Rip ft Chinx Drugz & N.O.R.E
It’s rare to see French Montana and Chinx Drugz collaborate on the hook, it’s normally one or the other, but here they go back and forth, and the results are one of the catchiest tracks of French’s career. The hook which goes “Oh me oh my my/Cut dope need more quinine (off the rip)” is an impressive hook for them both. The song mostly revolves around the chorus, as Chinx and N.O.R.E can barely get their verses in and French’s verse is somewhat mailed in, but even when French is not trying he can somehow still turn it into a hit. “Off The Rip” is that.
No No No ft Max B
“No No No" is buried on Coke Wave 2, but is one of the premier French Montana and Max B collaborations. Max B, in one of his most passionate performances, screams “No no no” on the chorus, you can feel his heartbreak and the Enchantment “Angel In My Life” sample makes the track feel climactic. There’s gunshots, the Evil Empire tag and a French Montana monologue for the ages. If they ever remake Othello or some Shakespearean tragedy, please, somebody force them to play this during the final act.
Triple Double ft Curren$y & Mac Miller
“Like Fuck Jetblue/I need a blue jet” is a classic French Montana pun, and it also happens to be one of his first lines on the Curren$y and Mac Miller featuring “Triple Double.” It’s somewhat surprising that French doesn’t have more tracks with Curren$y and Mac Miller, considering his normally laidback beat selection, but the rareness makes this collaboration and one of the standouts on Mac & Cheese 3 special. Curren$y’s flow is as smooth as ever and Mac Miller, whose 2012 version of himself sounds like a completely different person, delivers a solid verse. The French verse is filled with clever lines “.44 long nose call me elephant man,” and Harry Fraud flips an Isley Brothers track to round it all out.
Ain't Worried About Nothin
French’s debut Excuse My French was a poor representation of French Montana, and it disappointed a lot of fans who had come to expect a certain level of consistency from French. One track that didn’t disappoint, though, is the infectious “Ain’t Worried About Nothin.” On the track French is flexing and his persona is at an all-time high filled with “haaans” and French ad libs, it is the uncommon French banger as he normally prefers the more smoke session destined Harry Fraud sound. The chorus is inescapable, and you're guaranteed to have it stuck in your head after one listen (“Nigga I ain’t worried about nothin/Nigga I ain’t worried about nothin”). “Ain’t Worried About Nothin” is one of French’s most considerable risks, as it was unclear at the time how his fan base would react to a track embracing the trends, but not only they did they welcome it, the general public did as well. It was one of the tracks that helped to solidify French Montana as a star here to stay.
88 Coupes ft Jadakiss
Sometimes all you want to hear is French Montana over a Harry Fraud soul sample and “88 Coupes” off of Coke Boys 4 is exactly that. The track, which uses a Bobby Allen & the Exceptions sample, also features Jadakiss whose years of consistency holds up perfectly on the song. French rides the beat with ease, you can always tell when French is comfortable because his playful personality seeps through with hilarious lines such as, “You niggas smokin that Lamar Odom.” French and Kiss teaming up on a track is much appreciated, because Jadakiss is the Godfather of French’s rap style: where you say as much absurd shit as possible. Jadakiss doesn't disappoint: “Lost 100 thou, fucking with the Knicks.”
Playing In the Wind
The second ever collaboration between French Montana and Harry Fraud is one of French’s first great hooks. Prior to this, French was known for his flow, rapping ability and composed demeanor, but “Playing In the Wind” is one of the first signs that French could be something more. French harmonizes with the sped up "Imagination" sample saying “We playing in the wind/All my niggas fly high” in the most comforting way. The rapping is typical for French, but this is the track that set the blueprint for him and would set French on the path to stardom.
Stylin On You ft Chinx Drugz & Flip
On “Stylin On You” from Coke Boys 2 French, Chinx & Flip sound like they’re in a Western film. Harry Fraud flips Tabaco’s “Dia Sin Luz” and the harmonica throughout makes the track feel like the last scene of Once Upon A Time In the West. The song is dragged down some by Flip who is one of the weaker members of the Coke Boys, but Chinx and French still deliver. French’s hook is impressive, and Chinx adding a melodic aspect to his voice keeps you coming back for more.
The Remix ft Max B
The problem with some of the French and Max B collaborations is that a lot of them aren’t mixed well, Max B’s voice is often distorted and his voice overpowers the beat. "The Remix" off of Mac Wit Da Cheese is no different, yet the song is still solid. Carried by Max B hitting his best falsetto, French and Max ride the smooth beat without a hitch. French joins in on this track, testing out his singing skills and matching Max’s energy. Sometimes during the French and Max B collaborations one has a superior verse to the other, but here they are balanced and blend together excellently.
My Heat ft Mazaradi Fox
In 2008 French’s buzz was slowly growing and Live From Africa was one of the tapes that turned some heads in French’s direction. On “My Heat” French is at home over a mellow The True Reflection sample, joined by the late Mazaradi Fox, delivering an elite verse filled with puns galore (“I’m playing hide and seek/Bitch niggas wanna catch me while I’m laying sleep”). French is energetic on the track, which doesn’t happen often and he seems to have channeled his battle rap attitude, talking shit like only French can (“Nigga respect me while I pop your head off”). If you’re looking for an all time great French verse where he is engaged and lively, “My Heat” is it.
Roll With Me ft Chinx Drugz
I don’t know how many times I can say this, but French and Harry Fraud are remarkable together. Here Harry Fraud laces French with a Teddy Pendergrass “Come Go Home With Me” sample. French and Chinx Drugz find their groove over the funky track and it’s one of the standouts of the outstanding Coke Boys 2. You can really picture French and Chinx rolling through the Bronx luxuriously with the top down, as if it’s the part of the hood movie where everything is going well. French sounds carefree on the hook, and Chinx’s flow is as creamy as ever, it’s no surprise why French and Chinx worked so well as a pair.
No Shopping ft Drake
When we talk about French Montana’s best partner crime, some say Harry Fraud, others Max B, or Chinx Drugz, however one that doesn’t get the nod nearly enough is Drake. On the Murda Beatz-produced “No Shopping” French and Drake, two of rap’s elite hitmakers, team up for a hard-hitting anthem. Not to mention, it was accompanied with an amazing music video that was set in the Dominican Republic, and later memed to death. French’s hook abilities continue to improve, as “No Shopping” is one of his catchiest tracks (“Word to the bird I ain’t never take her fur shopping”). French’s playful vibe on the track rubs off on Drake, who addresses his critics in the most hilarious way possible (“I’m not a one hit wonder they know all my stuff/You let me turn into the nigga that you almost was) and also some of the most quotable Drake lines (“Yeah it’s a Boucheron baby boy/Yeah, and I know Taraji like I’m baby boy”).
Check Come
Mac & Cheese 4 was a misstep for French, not because the album is low and quality, but the botched release by Bad Boy Records resulted in the album being leaked months early killed much of the hype. After the leak Bad Boy refused to change the date and the album simply fizzled away not having the impact that both the label and French hoped for. One song that got buried because of this situation is the most ambitious track of French’s career “Check Come.” On the Sidney Swift and Detail produced track French vocally reaches levels he’s never had using effects that turn his normally mundane flow highly emotive. French belts out “I ain’t lovin you no more/Check come I’m through that with ho” like a rockstar and you begin to realize just how talented French Montana is.
Tunnel Vision ft Chinx Drugz
As you go deeper into French Montana’s discography one thing you will surely notice is that the samples only get more ridiculous. On the Chinx Drugz-featured “Tunnel Vision,” Harry Fraud blesses French with a Eddie Money and Ronnie Spector “Take Me Home Tonight” flip creating a fun atmosphere for French and Chinx to play with. French uses one of his most criticized flows on the track, where he is talking as slow as possible, basically mumbling throughout, but French still makes it work. Chinx always adds a nice balance to French’s tracks coming through with a more traditional flow and bragging his ass off (“Chinx Drugz get familiar with the name bitches”).
Mac & Cheese 2 Intro
French’s Cam’ron influence never feels as strong as it does on the intro to Mac & Cheese 2, the song which contains a sped-up sample of Lady Gaga’s “Fearless” (in true Heatmakerz style) also presents what’s so special about French. There are a lot of rappers that would look at some of his sample choices as “soft,” or not the direction rap should go in, but French is secure in who he is, and if something sounds good he’ll rap over it. French also addresses some of his critics on the track which he doesn’t do very often, so when he does you pay attention (“It’s a miracle they say I ain’t lyrical/Watch Montana, I made them look hysterical”).
Unforgettable ft Swae Lee
Over the years, French has become known for his versatility and it’s on display on his biggest hit to date “Unforgettable.” French, accompanied by Swae Lee in peak form, takes his crack at dancehall and the result was one of the best interpolations of the genre in an era where dancehall’s influence is taking over rap. The Jaegen (whose dancehall-influenced beats caught our attention through Ramriddlz) and 1Mind production is lively, and it is easy to tell why it dominated the the summer 2017 clubs. French realized on this track that his verses called for something more relaxed and simple, he delivered a strong and quotable verse to perfectly compliment Swae Lee’s angelic chorus.
Tap That ft Chinx Drugz & Stack Bundles
A jazzy Harry Fraud instrumental, fantastic Chinx Drugz & Stack Bundles guest verses and a short yet effective French Montana appearance, this is the perfect formula for a great French song. One of the standouts from Coke Boys 3, French effortlessly glides over the Les McCann sample sounding as suave as ever on what should be a cringe-y Coke Boys sex anthem, but it actually works. All three provide their finest Rated R lyrics, culminating in those beautiful Harry Fraud hi-hats kicking in mid-Chinx Drugz verse.
In My Life
You immediately know you’re about to get French at his rawest when you hear the cryptic Evil Empire tag to begin the song. One of the essential tracks from the phenomenal Mac & Cheese 2, you can tell French is in his element free to rap about whatever he pleases, and it is one of those tracks where the listener rewinds back because French says a line or two that you just want to hear again (“Young nigga chain smoke ain’t afraid of cancer/Scared of dying broke”).
“In My Life” is a French track where every word needs to be listened to, as French’s carefree tone makes it easy for lines to go over your head, but here it is necessary as it is packed with top tier French puns (“I know the real Snoop and I ain’t talking about The Wire”). The most ridiculous part about all of this is that French is rapping like a battle rapper over a sample from the 80s rock band Foreigner. What more can you want from French?
Death Around the Corner ft Max B
French Montana and Max B over a Tupac sample shouldn’t be as great as it is, but it is easily one of the top collaborations between these two. “Death Around the Corner” is the best song from the first outstanding French mixtape Mac Wit Da Cheese and the track is elevated even further by Max’s gorgeous hook and French doing what he does best, rap. French speaks on death, life and growing up in the Bronx in one of his most honest tracks, while Max B focuses on tossing out as many threats as possible (“We got the hammers it’ll spray the cannons in a case”). They work so damn well together.
Here It Is ft Max B
There is a side of French’s personality that he doesn't often show, but one of the artists that has always helped him get it on wax is Max B. On “Here It Is” French is reserved, leaving his ad-libs and often over the top personality to the side and putting his introspective self on the table. Max B’s melancholy chorus is soothing, and when French’s verse starts with “Max, what up” you can instantly feel their connection. Just as the cover to the Coke Wave mixtape presents, this track feels like late New York winter, cold and depressing. French and Max B built a great catalog of work together in a short amount of time, some of it absurd and some of it not that great, but one thing is for sure, “Here It Is” is among the very best.
Lockjaw ft Kodak Black
There is a stigma that exists for New York rappers, where people think that they put themselves in a box and only appreciate a certain type of traditional rap. French Montana, for years, has been fighting that stigma embracing different rappers from all over the country, one of the strongest turnouts from French’s love of the new generation was his collaboration with Kodak Black on “Lockjaw.” French and Kodak work well together, going back and forth effortlessly over the breezy Ben Billions beat. “Lockjaw” is the strongest hook of French’s career and the contrast added by Kodak’s voice helps immensely (“It be hard to understand me cause my jaw keep locking”). French not only embraces Kodak musically, but in the video for the song he also takes visits to Broward County and Port Au Prince; all of this could have easily lead to Kodak overshadowing French, but French holds his own with one of rap’s young bright stars.
Pop That ft Lil Wayne, Drake & Rick Ross
For the last 5 years French Montana’s hit-making ability has become unquestioned, and “Pop That” is not only the greatest of French’s major hits, but one of the most outstanding rap posse cuts of the 2010’s. The track, produced by Lee on the Beats, includes a catchy Uncle Luke sample and each member of the star-studded lineup deliver great verses attempting to one up each other-- that's a feat when having a trio of certified rap stars all togeher on one track: Lil Wayne, Rick Ross and Drake. What makes French amazing is his ability to standout among some of rap’s greatest characters, as he ends up delivering the best verse of the four, and one line that is guaranteed to get a reaction no matter where you are “Ass so fat need a lap dance/I’m in that white ghost chasin Pac Man.”
17000/Cocaine City
Cocaine City DVD era French Montana is really something exceptional, he was building himself from the ground up, implementing a business model learned from Smack DVDs and it worked. One of the most iconic clips from the DVD collection is a song titled “17000” sometimes just known as “Cocaine City,” and it is French showing off his rapping chops over the Swizz Beatz “Where the Cash At” instrumental. When people say they want the old French back, this is what they’re talking about. French’s knack to be humorous, intimidating and clever all at once is second to only Cam’ron, and here he is at his rapping peak. French says every single line with an unmatched confidence and never shy’s away from absurdist imagery, “40 cal turn your fro to a mohawk.”
Sanctuary
Tacked on the back end of Mac & Cheese 3, if you asked people what they wanted from French Montana in 2012, I guarantee that there would not be a single person asking for a Kingdom Hearts II sample. The actual track, sampled by producer Black Metaphor, is Utada Hikaru’s “Sanctuary” and it came at a time where sample choices were beginning to open up more, rappers were beginning to realize there was an entire world outside of the typical sample choices that could be implemented (much thanks to Clams Casino, Lil B and Main Attrakionz). And, not only is the production stellar, but French floats over the beat harmonizing with Utada Hikaru seamlessly and broadening his versatility in the eyes of his fans.
Shot Caller ft Charlie Rock
Harry Fraud and French Montana have an extremely special chemistry, as we've hammered in through out this list, but that is no clearer than on the Thomas Bell Orchestra-sampling “Shot Caller.” The Harry Fraud production is momentous, and combined with French’s unhurried flow and strong New York accent, the track feels like an epic NYC gangster film such as American Gangster. French and Harry Fraud pay homage to a past era in NYC rap (“From the South Bronx home of the original clappers/Just another case diggin in the crates) while still pushing their fresh ad-libs and drums onto the listener. The Charlie Rock hook is infectious, "Shorty got potential I could be her sponsor/Met her backstage at a Summer Jam concert"), and to this day the song is guaranteed to have every function reciting the chorus at the top of their lungs. “Shot Caller” is the track that introduced one of the most successful rappers of the '10s to the world, and if you still the doubt the greatness of this song just listen to how beautiful the “Montana” ad-lib and “La Music De Harry Fraud” tag sound back to back.