French Montana
French Montana in 2016
French Montana in 2016
Background information
Birth nameKarim Kharbouch
Also known asYoung French
Born (1984-11-09) November 9, 1984
Casablanca, Morocco
OriginSouth Bronx, New York, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
DiscographyFrench Montana discography
Years active2002–present
Labels
Spouse(s)
Deen Kharbouch
​
​
(m. 2007; div. 2014)​
Children1
Websitefrenchmontana.com

Karim Kharbouch (Arabic: كريم خربوش [kæɾiːm χɑɾbuːʃ]; born November 9, 1984), better known by his stage name French Montana, is a Moroccan-American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer.[1] Born and raised in Morocco, he immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of 13.[2][3] He embarked on a musical career in 2002, releasing a slew of independent material until signing a joint-venture record deal with Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Records and Rick Ross's Maybach Music Group in 2012.

Kharbouch released his debut mixtape in 2007 and had his first minor hit with his 2010 single, "Choppa Choppa Down". His debut studio album, Excuse My French (2013) was met with generally unfavorable reception despite commercial success, mainly stemming from its lead single, "Pop That" (featuring Rick Ross, Drake, and Lil Wayne).[4] His second studio album, Jungle Rules (2017) saw further success, peaking at number three on the Billboard 200 and receiving a slight critical improvement. The album was preceded by the hit single "Unforgettable" (featuring Swae Lee), which became Kharbouch's first song as a lead artist to reach the top ten on the US Billboard Hot 100, also receiving diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His third and fourth studio albums, Montana (2019) and They Got Amnesia (2021) were released to lukewarm critical and commercial response.[5]

Kharbouch founded the record label Coke Boys Records (previously known as Cocaine City Records) in 2008, which has signed Chicago rapper Lil Durk, fellow New York artists including Velous, the late Chinx, and record producer Harry Fraud.[6] He is the most streamed African-born musical artist, and is the first African-born artist to have a diamond-certified song by the RIAA. Outside of music, Kharbouch has been prolific in charitable and philanthropic endeavors.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13]

Early life

Karim Kharbouch was born on November 9, 1984, in Casablanca, Morocco.[2] He grew up at the family estate outside Casablanca where he lived for the first 13 years of his life.[2] Growing up, he was consumed with soccer and rap, describing them as his two favorite childhood hobbies,[3] before getting into basketball in his later teens.[14]

In the mid-1990s, Kharbouch left Morocco with his parents and younger brother for New York City, where they settled in the South Bronx.[2] Kharbouch spoke only his native languages of Moroccan Darija Arabic and French when he first arrived, and learned English in the streets and in the Bronx high schools of Roosevelt and Lehman.[2] After struggling for two years, his father decided they would move back to Casablanca, but his mother opted to stay back with their children citing lack of opportunities back home.[2] His mother was pregnant with his youngest brother at the time, who was born in the United States shortly after his father departed for Morocco. With three children, his mother was dependent on welfare for financial support. Kharbouch eventually found himself the primary breadwinner for the family.[2]

Career

2002–2010: Cocaine City Records

French Montana began his career as a battle rapper in his teens under the name Young French. In 2002, French and close friend Cams created a series of street DVDs called Cocaine City, drawing inspiration from the Smack DVD series popular at the time.[15][16] The series featured interviews with major and upcoming rappers, personalities, and a focus on street music and hip hop beefs.[2][15][17] Initially as Young French, he used the DVDs as a means of showcasing his talent as an underground artist, including in it his own original music, freestyles, and collaborations with other artists. The first volume in the series featured Pee Wee Kirkland and Remy Ma among others.[15][14] What started out as a medium for developing an audience, quickly grew into one of the top-selling street DVDs.[16] The series ran for eight years between 2002 and 2010, totaling 14 volumes, and multiple spinoff films. Based out of the Bronx, French ran the series with the help of childhood friends including Brock, Droop Pop and Cheeze, who went on to become the first rappers that formed the Coke Boys.[18]

In 2003, French suffered a gunshot to the head when he was confronted by two armed gunmen as he was leaving a recording studio in the Bronx.[19][20][15] The incident resulted in one of the gunmen dead, in what is believed to be a case of "friendly fire" by one assailant against the other.[19][21] French was then hospitalized for several weeks.[15][21] Upon discharge, he discovered that he was set up by someone close to him and his circle.[19]

In 2007, French Montana released his debut mixtape French Revolution Vol. 1, which included collaborations with Uncle Murda, Jae Millz, Mazaradi Fox and Tony Yayo. The track "Quarter to Eight" was the first of many collaborations with Rick Ross. The J.Cardim-produced "Straight Cash" was French's first underground hit. In 2008, he released his second mixtape, Live From Africa.[22] The song "Waavvy" was the first collaboration with rapper Max B.

French Montana and Max B released their debut collaborative mixtape Coke Wave on February 6, 2009. A few weeks later, on February 23, Max B's mixtape Quarantine was released, while French released his The Laundry Man on February 24, 2009.[23] The two artists resumed concentrating on their solo records, until the release of their second collaborative mixtape Coke Wave 2 in November that year.

French was included in XXL's Freshman Class of 2012. At that time he had already been signed to Bad Boy Records following the success of his single "Shot Caller", and had just signed a joint-venture between Bad Boy and Maybach Music Group.[17]

Harry Fraud and the Chinatown raid

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, close friend and producer Harry Fraud revealed first meeting French Montana during a recording session at a studio in Chinatown.[24] Fraud recalls recording a song for someone which French happened to have a guest feature on. In an unusual turn of events, the building was raided by police after a tip-off that there were counterfeit Gucci and Louis Vuitton purses being manufactured at the same building.[24] Having lost his studio spot, Fraud went on to form his own studio in Brooklyn, where the two "met and formed a bond".[24]

Harry Fraud, who hails from a musical family background and had interned at a recording studio,[25] was still unknown professionally at the time. The two released their first collaboration "New York Minute", featuring Jadakiss, off of French's fifth mixtape Mac Wit Da Cheese released on April 19, 2009.[26] Following its success, the two artists recorded "We Playin In The Wind" off of French's sixth mixtape The Laundry Man 2 released on June 29.[27] With "New York Minute" still buzzing in the city, rapper Ma$e would approach French Montana to hop on the remix,[28] included in French's eighth mixtape Coke Wave 2 released in November. Since then, Harry Fraud's production has been a staple among French's music, and Fraud has since ventured out into working with various other artists. Fraud gained mainstream attention when his track with French Montana "Shot Caller" became one of the most added tracks on urban contemporary radio in 2011–2012.[3]

Gaby Acevedo and signing with Akon

Starting in 2009, French Montana had signed a deal with Akon and his Konvict Music label.[29] The two previously met in Miami in 2008,[30] and later appeared on DJ Green Lantern's "Invasion Radio" on SiriusXM's Hip-Hop Nation.[31] The pair collaborated on a series of tracks including their first single "Married to the Streets" on French's seventh mixtape Cocaine Konvicts released on September 25.[32][33] In later interviews, French revealed that he had a "shopping deal" with Akon for a six months to a year period.[15][34] "A shopping deal is when an artist takes a liking in you, and they try to take you to a label to get you signed. I was gonna go get signed to his label, but they were going through problems with Interscope. [As a result] my deal was over with him, so I went and did my own thing", claimed French in his 2012 interview with Complex.[15] Akon, whom French refers to as "big brother",[35] would continue to maintain a relationship with French, collaborating on songs together despite the unsuccessful deal between the two.

French had met Akon through their mutual friend Gaby Acevedo.[29][33] Acevedo was then-president of SRC Records – under founder and chairman Steve Rifkind — the label first responsible for breaking out artists such as Akon, David Banner, and Remy Ma, then a member of Fat Joe's Terror Squad.[33] Acevedo, whom French had befriended during his time working on the Cocaine City DVDs, had put his music on to Akon who then approached French inviting him to meet him in Florida.[29][33] Although the Akon deal was short-lived, Acevedo would eventually go on to become French's manager following his mainstream breakout. In 2012, with Rifkind leaving SRC's parent company Universal Music Group in September, the SRC imprint would close shop as well. With French's management deal with Mizay Entertainment having recently ended, Gaby Acevedo would postpone retirement to become his new manager, where he now spends his time on the road touring with French.[33]

2010–2011: "Choppa Choppa Down" and southern breakout

French released his tenth mixtape Coke Boys on September 15, 2010, which included collaborations with Three 6 Mafia, Gucci Mane, Akon, Fat Joe, fellow Coke Boys, among others.[36] The record which included the track "Choppa Choppa Down", featuring Waka Flocka Flame, became a hit among clubs and radio throughout the south.[37][38] Waka Flocka, who recently broken into the mainstream with his single "Hard In Da Paint" released on May 13, had recorded the song earlier that year while Gucci Mane was still in prison. An early remix to the song, featuring French Montana, was included in French's ninth mixtape Mac & Cheese 2 released earlier that year on May 6 and which also included collaborations with rising stars Wiz Khalifa, Nicki Minaj, Big Sean, Curren$y and Nipsey Hussle among others.[39] The two respective breakout tracks would kick off the start of a close relationship between French and Waka Flocka, where the two describe themselves as being "brothers".[40]

Signing with Debra Antney

On November 18, 2010, XXL magazine reported on French Montana having signed with Atlanta-based management firm Mizay Entertainment, headed by Debra Antney.[41] Debra, who is Waka Flocka's mother, was also manager to Gucci Mane, OJ Da Juiceman, rising star Lex Luger and the 808 Mafia production team, and formerly Nicki Minaj prior to her mainstream breakout.[42] The music video for "Choppa Choppa Down",[43] which featured a Black Hawk Down theme, was released in late-January and included cameos from Gucci, Shawty Lo, DJ Holiday and members of Brick Squad Monopoly.[44][45] With the success of the Coke Boys mixtape and his recent management deal with Debra, French adopted a recurring trap influence among his music. in 2013, Debra Antney sued French Montana for dealing behind her back for commission. In 2017, Debra won the lawsuit against him for which he was obliged to pay $2 million to Debra.[46]

On February 15, French released his eleventh mixtape Mister 16: Casino Life, which featured productions from Fraud and Lex Luger among others, including his soon-to-be next hit "Shot Caller".[47] The tape's combination of hard trap beats alongside the more soulful beats – such as those of his New York producer Harry Fraud – would become a fixture among French's music. The latter sound being further explored in his twelfth mixtape Coke Boys 2 released on August 19,[48] providing a softer break from his more robust tapes that year. Both records have been acclaimed for their production and hooks. French would continue on his increasing presence in the South, releasing his collaborative mixtape with Waka Flocka called Lock Out on December 14. That same month, he would release his long-awaited collaborative mixtape Cocaine Mafia with Memphis-based rappers Juicy J and Project Pat, released on December 19.[49] This would be French's thirteenth and fourteenth mixtapes, respectively. With four records out in 2011, it would be his busiest year of releases since 2009. In a 2012 interview with Parlé magazine, French revealed his deal with Mizay Entertainment as having been for a year and a half.[34]

Collaborating with Rick Ross

With French's growing buzz in the South, he was approached by Florida-based rapper Rick Ross who invited him to his studio.[28] French, who admits having been a fan of Ross' music, was invited to come "at like three in the morning" where he listened to his upcoming MMG collaborative album Self Made Vol. 1.[28] The two recorded a track for the album, while Ross hopped on the remix to "Choppa Choppa Down".[28] The new single, which also featured Wiz Khalifa, was released on April 28, 2011, with the music video coming out in June.[50] An earlier remix featuring Gucci Mane and Wiz Khalifa had been released on March 25. The collaboration would mark the start of French's relationship with Rick Ross and his Maybach Music Group, prompting speculation whether French would be signing to the label.[28]

2011–2012: "Shot Caller" and New York takeover

With French juggling between Atlanta and New York, his song "Shot Caller" off of the Casino Life record would gain traction on New York radio beginning mid-2011. During an on-air interview with Fat Joe on DJ Green Lantern's "Invasion Radio" in October 2011, French would call in to praise close friend and fellow-Bronx rapper Fat Joe, revealing his role in helping to get "Shot Caller" on the airwaves.[51] Fat Joe, whom he refers to as "big brother", praised French's work ethic and revealed that French had been receiving offers from several major labels.[51]

Jim Jones bottle-throwing incident

On the night of August 5, 2011, Bronx-based rapper Fat Joe was slated to host Funkmaster Flex's birthday party at Webster Hall. During his performance, Fat Joe brought out French Montana to perform on stage. Controversy erupted as Jim Jones and his entourage, who were reportedly on the adjacent balcony seats, began hurling bottles and glass at the performers.[52][53] The following day, videos of the incident were uploaded online, depicting French and his entourage facing a barrage of glass and liquor on stage, as they continued performing his rendition of "Hard In Da Paint" while facing the mentioned balcony with the crowd chanting along to it.[54][55] Some of the members on stage hurled debris back towards the balcony, as Jones and his entourage eventually exited the premises.[54]

Collaborating with Diddy

Fat Joe and Waka Flocka accompanied French Montana in his video shoot for "Shot Caller" later that month in August. The song, which made reference to Diddy's 1997 hit "Its All About The Benjamins", would soon garner the interest of the Bad Boy mogul. On October 9, French announced Diddy and T.I. for the official remix to the song.[56] DJ Drama, who called it his favorite record, referred T.I. to jump on the remix.[56] Although the T.I. feature never came to fruition, the remix was released on November 24, and featured rappers Diddy and Rick Ross.

With "Shot Caller" already one of the most played tracks on New York radio, on stations such as Hot 97 and Power 105,[56] French was slated to appear on the upcoming episode of BET's 106 & Park on December 6,[35][57] where he would be debuting the music video and announcing the label he's signing with. Diddy would also appear that night as part of his "Bad Boy Takeover" campaign, whereon the two officially announced that French Montana had signed to Bad Boy Records.[57] Between 2011 and 2012, "Shot Caller" had become one of the most added tracks on urban contemporary radio in the country.[3] It was re-released as a single on January 10, and the music video for the remix was released in February 2012. A "NY Giants remix" premiered on Funkmaster Flex's radio show on January 6, celebrating the Giants' Super Bowl win against the Patriots the day before.[58]

2012–2016: Signing to Bad Boy and MMG

Having received offers from several labels, including Jay-Z's Roc Nation and Kanye's GOOD Music; on December 6 on BET, French Montana publicly announced signing with Bad Boy Records, an imprint of Interscope Records. In a subsequent interview with Billboard magazine, French revealed that had he not signed with Bad Boy that MMG would be his next choice.[59] However, on January 4, 2012, while in the studio with Rick Ross, the two announced French's new signing to a joint-venture between Bad Boy Records and Maybach Music Group, making him a part of both labels.[60][61] Both Ross and Diddy would be executive producing his debut studio album.[60][61]

"Stay Schemin" and "Pop That"

On January 6, the two dropped Ross' track "Stay Schemin" with rapper Drake. Notable for its memorable French and Ross "hook", the track became one of the biggest hits that year, oft-talked about for its Drake verse believed to be a "diss" towards rapper Common at the time. French Montana was featured on XXL's Freshman Class of 2012 alongside Future, Kid Ink, Danny Brown, Macklemore, Don Trip, Hopsin, Iggy Azalea, Roscoe Dash, and Bad Boy labelmate MGK.[62][63] French later revealed to host Sway Calloway on MTV's RapFix Live in August 2012 that he almost turned down the cover opportunity feeling he deserved it a year or two prior.[17]

French's first single from the upcoming album, "Pop That" was released on June 15, featuring Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne. The song would be one of the biggest hits that year, and a still-popular club and summer anthem since. It is French's most successful commercial single, having been certified "platinum" by the RIAA, and peaking at #2 on Billboard's Hot R&B and Rap charts and #36 on the Hot 100. While initially expected for a release in July 2012, French's album went through several pushbacks until its finalized release date of May 21, 2013. The date which happened to coincide with the birthdays of Max B and famous labelmate the late Notorious B.I.G. In the meantime, French had released his fifteenth mixtape Coke Boys 3 on April 13, 2012, which included collaborations with fellow Coke Boys Chinx Drugz and Cheeze, alongside the likes of Ross, Akon, Kevin Gates and Wale. Notable tracks among others include, a rare collaboration between French, Chinx and the late Stack Bundles on "Tap That", and "Headquarters" featuring Red Café and Chinx, the music video for which premiered on July 21.

The Homecoming and Mac & Cheese 3

In September 2012, French Montana was featured on the cover of the 82nd issue of The Fader magazine,[2] who joined French on his first homecoming to Morocco after seventeen years since his family moved to the United States in 1996. The article describes his journey through Morocco, meeting his mother's family, and eventually his estranged father who is not made aware of his son's coming arrival.[2] French was accompanied by manager Gaby Acevedo, and youngest brother Ayoub, in addition to Zach Baron and Michael Schmelling of The Fader. The piece ends with an emotional reunion between the father and the two sons, including Ayoub who had previously never met their father before.[2]

French marked the end of the year with his sixteenth mixtape Mac & Cheese 3 released on November 20, 2012.[64] which included collaborations with Prodigy, Fabolous, Future, Fat Joe, Ma$e, Rico Love and Trina among others. Acclaimed for its production and track selection, it was among the most downloaded mixtapes of all time.[64] With several productions from Young Chop, the music video to "Devil Wants My Soul" premiered on November 5, and an in-studio video of "Ocho Cinco" on November 26. Both songs would go viral, prompting another music video for "Ocho Cinco" – featuring Diddy, MGK, Red Café and King Los – released in February 2013. The song was also included as a bonus track on the upcoming Excuse My French album. The run up to which included further video releases, including the Black Metaphor produced "Sanctuary" on February 3, Swizz Beatz produced "Diamonds" featuring Ross and J. Cole on February 17, and Fraud produced "State of Mind" on May 15 and "Intro (Only If For A Night)" on November 30, among others. Since the tapes' premiere on DatPiff, it would reach the 500K "double platinum" rating by first month, and presently stands at a "diamond" rating with over 1.4 million downloads on that site alone.[64]

Excuse My French

In January 2013, French announced his second single "Freaks", featuring Nicki Minaj, from his upcoming album to be a remake of Lil Vicious' 1994 song of the same name.[65] The song premiered on Hot 97 on February 13, with the music video coming out on March 3. The remix, featuring an additional Ross, Wale, Mavado and DJ Khaled, was released on April 25. A bonus track "Marble Floors" was released earlier on December 4, 2012, featuring Ross, Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz with production from Mike WiLL Made It. It would fast become a viral hit, only to be outdone by French's third single "Ain't Worried About Nothin" released on April 15, 2013. The music video premiered on May 7, and would be the last before the release of his album on May 21. Subsequent music videos included, "Trap House" featuring Ross and Birdman released on September 23, "Gifted" featuring The Weeknd on October 15, "Once In A While" featuring Max B on November 18, and "Paranoid" featuring Johnny May Cash on January 20, 2014, among others.

His first solo single "Ain't Worried About Nothin" was a hit on radio stations, and a remix featuring Ross, Diddy and Snoop Dogg was released on October 4, and a second remix featuring Miley Cyrus on October 14. Upon its release, Excuse My French was met with mixed reviews from music critics.[66] It fared better commercially, debuting at number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 56,000 copies in the United States.[67] The album also featured collaborations with Raekwon, Scarface, Ne-Yo and Jeremih among others.

Following the album release, French announced signing Chicago-based rapper Lil Durk to his Coke Boys. French, who is close to producer Young Chop, had previously collaborated with Durk on his recent mixtape and with Chief Keef on his debut album the year before. Durk, Chinx and Young Chop appeared in the music video to "Paranoid", featuring Chop's brother Johnny May Cash. The song is inspired by French's brushes with death, including the late-2003 incident where he survived a gunshot to the head. Durk collaborated on several records with French in the coming years, starting with the remix to Durk's breakout single "Dis Ain't What U Want" featuring French, Ross and Meek Mill, released on November 27, 2013.

French appeared as a featured artist on several singles in 2013, most notably Joe Budden's "NBA" with Wiz Khalifa released on March 26; ASAP Ferg's "Work (Remix)" – alongside Schoolboy Q, ASAP Rocky and Trinidad James – on May 14; Canadian singer Massari's "Shisha" on May 21; and Will.i.am's "Feelin Myself" with Miley Cyrus and Wiz Khalifa on November 26, among others.

Pushbacks and comebacks

Despite several pushbacks, French released his seventeenth mixtape Coke Boys 4 on January 2, 2014,[68] which included collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, MGK, Mally Mall, Lil Durk and MeetSims, among others. The music video for the "Paranoid (Remix)" – featuring Diddy, Ross, Meek, Durk, Chinx and Jadakiss – was released on April 13. Subsequent music videos included, "88 Coupes" featuring Jadakiss released on May 15, "God Body" featuring Chinx on May 28, and "Money Bag" with Durk and Chinx on June 23. In a January 2014 Rolling Stone interview, French revealed that his next Mac & Cheese would be a studio album instead of a mixtape.[69]

In 2014, French collaborated with Diddy on Ross' track "Nobody" released on February 19. Rick Ross' remake of the late Notorious B.I.G.'s 1997 song "You're Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You)", featured an eerie chorus by French and interludes of Diddy in a live motivational rant. The song was inspired by Ross' brush against death the year before, when his Rolls-Royce came under repeated gunshot fire while driving through Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 28, 2013.[70] In a bizarre series of events, French Montana would experience a similar but unrelated event months later when his convoy came under fire on March 1 in Philadelphia during his "Excuse My French" tour after French had finished performing a show hours earlier.[71][72] The music video premiered on February 27, 2014. Albeit met with mixed to positive reviews, the song would be a hit and was re-released as a single on March 3, 2014. French joined Ross for a live performance on the television program Late Night with Seth Meyers on March 5, 2014.[73]

French Montana would collaborate with fellow-Bronx native Jennifer Lopez on her comeback single "I Luh Ya Papi". The song premiered on LA's Power 106 on March 5, and was released as a single on March 11, with the music video coming out two days later. The single was an international hit, and among the most added/played tracks on rhythmic contemporary radio in Canada. French also appeared in the music video to Fat Joe's single "Stressin", featuring Jennifer Lopez, which premiered in October later that year. French joined Rick Ross on Puff Daddy's comeback single "Big Homie" from his upcoming album MMM. With a guest verse by Ross and ad-libs by French, the single was released on March 24, with the music video premiering on March 31. French Montana joined Ross, Meek and veteran Jay-Z on DJ Khaled's summer hit "They Don't Love You No More". The single was released on March 29, with the music video coming out on June 22 that year.

On July 17, teasers to the movie The Purge: Anarchy were released featuring music from French's upcoming single "Don't Panic". A month earlier, Instagram photos of the two showed French with then-girlfriend Khloé Kardashian on set with matching masks on, prompting speculation whether she was in the coming video. Following weeks of promotion, the single was released on August 12. The music video, which retained the dark themes of the movie while maintaining its catchy DJ Mustard character, became a viral hit. The couple had created bit of a stir two months earlier, on June 2, when Khloé posted an IG photo of the two on set of "They Don't Love You No More", depicting French holding a rifle in his arms with Khloé seated next to him with a bottle of liquor to her mouth. The remix to "Don't Panic", featuring Jeremih and Chris Brown, was released on October 14.

French Montana would join Remy Ma on DJ Khaled's "They Don't Love You No More (Remix)" released on August 2. Khaled's former Terror Squad affiliate and Bronx-native Remy Ma had just been released from prison the day prior. The three appeared together in the music video which premiered on August 23.[74] This was her first musical comeback since her incarceration six years earlier. French collaborated with Ashanti on her second single "Early In The Morning" released on October 14 off of her comeback album, Braveheart. This would be Ashanti's first album in six years.

French released his second single "Bad Bitch", featuring Jeremih, in December 2014, with the music video premiering on February 23, 2015. In late-October, French had announced his "Set It Off" tour with Jeremih, running up to his expected Mac & Cheese: The Album release in December. With the album eventually pushed back to next year; in its place, French released his collaborative EP with Harry Fraud, Mac & Cheese: The Appetizer on December 12, 2014.[75] His eighteenth mixtape, The Appetizer marked a shift away from French's usual feature-heavy records. With Fraud's signature sample-heavy production, French blurred the lines between rap and R&B in a manner not unlike that of Max B, and with subject matter ranging from difficult life-decisions, women, addiction and memories of his bygone friendship with his now-incarcerated rap soulmate. In August 2015, French paired with pop-opera artist Charisse Mills for the single "Champagne."[76]

2016–present: Wave Gods, MC4, Jungle Rules, Montana, They Got Amnesia

On February 14, 2016, DJ Khaled announced that he would debut French's new mixtape on We The Best Radio.[77] The mixtape, hosted by Max B, debuted on February 19, 2016.[78] On May 5, 2016, French's contract with Interscope and MMG ended, and he later signed a joint venture record deal with Bad Boy and Epic Records.[79] Later, French was going to release his second studio album MC4 in October 2016, however, the album's release was canceled after Target unofficially released the album on CD on its original release date (August 19, 2016), two months before the album was set to release, which also managed to leak its entirety on internet as a leak, plus some "sample clearance issues" on tracks like "I'm Heated" and 2 Times".[80] It was originally supposed to be the fourth installment in the "Mac & Cheese" series, and the first to be originally released as an album. French later stated that he's planning to start a new record label with Max B when he is released. On November 5, 2016, Montana unexpectedly released the album as a mixtape instead and premiered it on Drake's Beats 1 radio show, OVO Sound radio later that night. Montana revealed in an interview with Zane Lowe on his Beats 1 radio show that the first and second single from his upcoming project is ready to be released. He also announced a collaborative track with Chance the Rapper and Quavo, produced by Ben Billions, a collaboration with Swae Lee that is "just like 'Unforgettable'", as well as a song called "No Stylist".[81][82] On July 14, 2017, Montana released Jungle Rules as his second album.

On December 6, 2019, French Montana released his third studio album Montana, which includes the song "Writing on the Wall", a collaboration with Cardi B, Post Malone and Rvssian.

Montana's fourth studio album, They Got Amnesia was released through Epic Records on November 19, 2021, including the singles "FMWGAB", "I Don't Really Care", "Panicking", a collaboration with American rapper Fivio Foreign, and "Handstand", a collaboration with American rapper and singers Doja Cat and Saweetie.[5]

French Montana, on June 9, 2022, released a song "Je M'appelle" with fellow Moroccan-British artist Benzz and Tion Wayne.

In 2023, the documentary "For Khadija" premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.[83] Directed by Mandon Lovett and co-executive produced by Sean "Diddy" Combes and Drake,[84] the film documents the story of his family's emigration from Morocco to New York,[85] and explores the plight of his single immigrant mother raising three sons and his rise to success as a recording artist.[86]

Controversy

French Montana's career has been the subject of many allegations of sexual misconduct in the 2020s, the earliest of which date back years. Several women accused him of rape, drug-facilitated sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct, allegations he denies, for which the statute of limitations either did not apply or had not elapsed, in nearly all cases. In March 2020, French Montana was accused of raping an incapacitated woman at his former home in Hidden Hills, California. Montana was sued by a woman using the pseudonym "Jane Doe", for assault and battery, sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent hiring, supervision and retention and negligence, in connection to a March 28, 2018, incident reported to police in which the woman alleged Montana drugged her and raped her while she was incapacitated on his bathroom floor. The suit alleged Montana "would sometimes without the women's knowledge or consent provide drugs to interfere with the women's ability to knowingly consent to sexual activity and had a longstanding practice of inviting women to his recording sessions, or choosing women at bars." Montana allegedly supplied women with drinks and drugs, "with the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with them, without any regard to whether or not they consented, or were able to consent." According to her court filing, "Kharbouch (French Montana) was one of the men who entered the room and sexually assaulted her". Doe reported the alleged rape to the police that same day and had a rape kit administered; a subsequent police investigation showed the presence of semen.[87][88][89][90][91]

In May 2021, Montana was accused of sexual assault by a second woman, Sarah Kamilla, a Moroccan model, who said Montana cornered her and attempted to rape her while she was in the bathroom during a dinner party hosted by Palestinian rapper Belly, at the W Hotel in Miami in 2017 when she was a teenager at the time.[92][93][94] Montana was then accused of sexual assault by a third woman, Kayla Rose, in 2021 who alleged that he sexually assaulted her while she was in the bathroom in a hotel room in Las Vegas in 2018. Rose later filed a police report following the incident.[95][94][92][93][90][88][87]

In 2021, French Montana committed plagiarism. Montana copied and pasted the first verse of Astrid S' song "Jump" into the track "How You King?", without permission.[96][97] Astrid S retroactively got proper attribution as a co-songwriter and received compensation for the lyrics that were plagiarized.[98][99]

Philanthropy

Montana's charitable work started after he visited Uganda to film his "Unforgettable" video in 2017, a song that gained over a billion streams and held strong on the top 10 in the Billboard Hot 100. His efforts in Uganda raised roughly US$500,000 to build the Suubi hospital which serves over 300,000 citizens of Uganda.[100]

In 2018, French was named an Ambassador for Global Citizen following his charitable donation of $100,000 for a hospital in Uganda.[101] In 2022, it was reported that he helped raise over US$220 million for Uganda's maternal healthcare services. He received a 2022 Innovator Award for his efforts the same year.[102]

Personal life

Montana is fluent in his native Arabic and French as well as in English.[2][103] He cites being a father as one of his driving inspirations.[103] He is a practicing Muslim.[104][105]

Montana has been a resident of the Pompton Plains section of Pequannock Township, New Jersey.[106] In 2016, he bought Selena Gomez's Calabasas, California home for $3.3 million.[107]

Montana married Deen Kharbouch in 2007. The couple had separated by 2012, and their divorce was finalized in 2014.[108][109] They have a son who was born in October 2010.[109]

In June 2018, Montana became a U.S. citizen.[110][111]

Shooting incident

In 2003, two gunmen shot at Montana as he left a recording studio in New York, striking him in the head.[19][21] He survived and was hospitalized for several weeks.[20][15][112] One of the gunmen died during the incident, in what is believed to be a case of "friendly fire" by one assailant against the other. Montana was investigated for the incident, but the case was eventually dismissed.[15][21][113] In early 2013, Montana visited the site of the shooting with a camera crew from Life+Times as he recalled the near-death experience and his life growing up in the Bronx. This was the first time he had visited the location since the attempted murder ten years earlier.[19] According to French, he was set up by someone close to him and his circle.[19]

Exotic pets

French has been the owner of a number of pets, ranging from dogs to exotic animals such as tigers and a monkey. On April 22, 2013, French Montana posted an Instagram picture with the caption "Got so high last night bought 2 baby tigers". The picture was of French outdoors holding two tiger cubs, one on each arm.[114] The tigers, named Ike and Tina, were prominently featured in French's music video for "The Gifted" featuring friend and singer The Weeknd, released later that year.[115][116] In 2014, the rapper noted he had given up the two tigers shortly after getting them, citing the difficulty in feeding and caring for the animals.[117]

Since late-2014, French Montana became the owner of a pet monkey named Julius Ceasor. A video of the animal was uploaded on December 18, showing French and record producer Mally Mall entering a private-jet with French then cradling the infant monkey in his arms.[118][119]

Musical influences

French Montana describes Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Snoop Dogg, and Wu-Tang Clan among the hip hop artists he listened to growing up.[15][103][120] He considers himself a music lover in general, and admires the work of English soul/R&B singers Adele and Amy Winehouse,[103] the English rock band Florence + the Machine,[121] and American singer Lana Del Rey, several of whom he has sampled in his music.

Discography

Studio albums

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2016 The Perfect Match Himself
2018 The After Party[122] Himself
2023 For Khadija Himself
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2011 Ridiculousness Himself Episode: "French Montana"
2013 Wild 'N Out Season 5, episode 5
2014–2016 Late Night With Seth Meyers 2 episodes
2014 Keeping Up with the Kardashians Episode: "Secrets of a Double Life"
2014–2015 Kourtney and Khloé Take The Hamptons 3 episodes
2015 Wild 'N Out Season 7, episode 6
2016 Love & Hip Hop: New York Episodes: "Ups & Downs", "All the Way Up"
2016–2017 The Real Himself / Musical Guest 3 episodes
2016 Empire[123] Vaughn Episodes: "Light in Darkness", "Chimes at Midnight"
2017 America's Next Top Model Himself / Recording Artist Episode: "The Comeback"
Hip Hop Squares Himself / Contestant Episode: "Fat Joe vs French Montana"
2018 The Four: Battle for Stardom Himself / Performer Episode: "Finale"
2019 NCIS: New Orleans Episode: "Jackpot"

Awards and nominations

African Muzik Magazine Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014 French Montana Best Male Diaspora[124] Nominated

BET Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013 "Pop That" Best Collaboration[125] Nominated

BET Hip Hop Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013 "Pop That" Best Club Banger[126] Won
Reese's Perfect Combo Award (Best Collabo, Duo or Group)[126] Nominated
2016 "All the Way Up" (with Fat Joe & Remy Ma, and Infared) Best Hip Hop Video Nominated
Best Collabo, Duo or Group Won
People's Champ Award Nominated
Wave Gods Best Mixtape Nominated

Billboard Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 "Loyal" Top R&B Song[127] Nominated

Grammy Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 "All Day" (as a songwriter) Best Rap Song Nominated [128]
2017 "All the Way Up" (with Fat Joe & Remy Ma and Infared) Nominated [129]
Best Rap Performance Nominated

iHeartRadio Titanium Awards

iHeartRadio Titanium Awards are awarded to an artist when their song reaches 1 Billion Spins across iHeartRadio Stations.

Year Nominee/Work Result
2017 "Unforgettable" ft Swae Lee" 1 Billion Total Audience Spins on iHeartRadio Stations Won

References

  1. ↑ Halperin, Shirley (September 30, 2020). "Bebe Rexha Signs With SAL&CO Management, Home to The Weeknd, French Montana". Variety. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "French Montana: Homecoming". The Fader. September 25, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Stupid Dope interview with French Montana". Stupiddope.com. January 27, 2012. Archived from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  4. ↑ "French Montana's "Excuse My French" Pushed Back Again". HotNewHipHop. February 8, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  5. 1 2 Dukes, Will (November 22, 2021). "French Montana Embodies Rap History And Makes Some of His Own". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  6. ↑ "French Montana Signs Velous to Coke Boys". HNHH. July 7, 2014.
  7. ↑ AllHipHop.com - Hip-Hop Culture Without Boundaries. (2022, August 29). French Montana Becomes First African-Born Artist To Earn A Diamond Single. AllHipHop. https://allhiphop.com/news/french-montana-becomes-first-african-born-artist-to-earn-a-diamond-single/
  8. ↑ Centeno, T. M. (2022, August 26). French Montana Becomes The First African-Born Artist To Go Diamond. iHeart. https://www.iheart.com/content/2022-08-26-french-montana-becomes-the-first-african-born-artist-to-go-diamond/
  9. ↑ Grant, S., Grant, S., & Grant, S. (2022). French Montana becomes first African born artist to go RIAA Diamond with ‘Unforgettable’ The Source - the Magazine of Hip Hop Music,Culture and Politics. https://thesource.com/2022/08/29/french-montana-becomes-first-african-born-artist-to-go-riaa-diamond-with-unforgettable/
  10. ↑ Elibert, M. (2023, February 21). French Montana Reacts To Being Most-Streamed African-Born Artist. HipHopDX. https://hiphopdx.com/news/french-montana-most-streamed-african-born-artists
  11. ↑ Cowen, T. W. (2023). French Montana reacts to being named most streamed African-Born artist. Complex. https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/french-montana-most-streamed-african-born-artist
  12. ↑ Velasquez, A. (2023b, February 19). French Montana named the most streamed African-born artist. REVOLT. https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-02-19/274397/french-montana-named-the-most-streamed-african-born-artist/
  13. ↑ Corrine, A. (2023, February 21). VIBE.com. VIBE.com. https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/french-montana-most-streamed-african-born-artist-1234736644/
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  28. 1 2 3 4 5 "French Montana Talks Rick Ross and Possibly Signing to MMG". XXL. August 30, 2011. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  29. 1 2 3 "French Montana Wants A Piece Of Akon's Success". MTV. September 3, 2009. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
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  32. ↑ "French Montana – Cocaine Konvicts". livemixtapes.com. September 25, 2009.
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  35. 1 2 "French Montana To Announce Which Label He's Interested In During "106 & Park" Appearance". HipHopDX. December 5, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
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  38. ↑ "French Montana: "Teachers Call Me", Drake's Beef "Happens"". TheBoomBox.com. January 20, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  39. ↑ "French Montana – Mac & Cheese 2". datpiff.com. May 6, 2010.
  40. ↑ "Waka Flocka Says French Montana Deal Is 'Amazing'". TheBoomBox.com. December 19, 2011. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  41. ↑ "French Montana Signs With Debra Antney's Mizay Entertainment". XXL. November 18, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  42. ↑ "Mizay Entertainment's Deb Antney Calls Nicki Minaj Her "First Born Child" Of Being Successful". HipHopDX. August 27, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  43. ↑ "French Montana – Choppa Choppa Down ft. Waka Flocka Flame". Mizay Entertainment. February 2, 2010. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2015 – via YouTube.
  44. ↑ "French Montana Drops Video, Looks To Record With Lady Gaga". MTV. January 31, 2011. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  45. ↑ "Behind The Scenes: French Montana (Feat. Waka Flocka) – Choppa Down (Starring Gucci Mane, Shawty Lo, Brick Squad & More!)". WorldStarHipHop.com. December 8, 2010. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  46. ↑ "French Montana Reportedly Ordered to Pay Waka Flocka's Mother $2 Million". Complex. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  47. ↑ "French Montana – Mister 16: Casino Life". livemixtapes.com. February 15, 2011.
  48. ↑ "French Montana – Coke Boy 2". datpiff.com. August 19, 2011.
  49. ↑ "French Montana, Juicy J & Project Pat – Cocaine Mafia". livemixtapes.com. December 19, 2011.
  50. ↑ "French Montana Ft. Rick Ross & Wiz Khalifa – Choppa Choppa Down (Remix)". OfficialRickRossTV. June 6, 2010. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2015 – via YouTube.
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  53. ↑ "French Montana and Jim Jones have altercation at Webster Hall". MissInfo.tv. August 6, 2011. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
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  56. 1 2 3 "French Montana Taps Diddy & T.I. for "Shot Caller (Remix)"". XXL. November 10, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  57. 1 2 "Diddy Announces French Montana Bad Boy Signing on 106 & Park". BET.com. December 6, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  58. ↑ "New Music: French Montana "Shot Caller (NY Giants Remix)"". MissInfo.tv. January 6, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  59. ↑ "Exclusive: French Montana Talks Bad Boy Signing, Upcoming Album & More". Billboard. December 9, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
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  61. 1 2 "French Montana Celebrates Bad Boy/MMG Alliance". RapRadar.com. January 4, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
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  63. ↑ "XXL Freshman Class Includes French Montana, Machine Gun Kelly". MTV. February 29, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  64. 1 2 3 "French Montana – Mac & Cheese 3". datpiff.com. November 20, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
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  66. ↑ "Excuse My French Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
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  71. ↑ "French Montana Says He 'Was Not Involved' In Philadelphia Shooting". MTV.com/. March 1, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  72. ↑ "Shooting Outside Rapper's Tour Bus Leaves 1 Dead, 1 Wounded". Philadelphia.CBSlocal.com/. March 1, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
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  76. ↑ "Charisse Mills Ft. French Montana – "Champagne"". AllHipHop.com. August 14, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
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  84. ↑ Bresnahan, Samantha (June 15, 2023). "Rap star French Montana shares the spotlight with his mother in revealing new documentary". CNN. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  85. ↑ Gee, Andre (June 16, 2023). "French Montana on His New Documentary: 'A Lot of Immigrants Are Going to See Themselves in This Story'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  86. ↑ "French Montana chronicles mom's sacrifice after emigrating from Morocco in doc film 'For Khadija'". AP News. June 30, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  87. 1 2 Michallon, Clemence (March 27, 2020). "French Montana accused of sexually assaulting incapacitated woman". The Independent UK. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  88. 1 2 Maddaus, Gene (March 27, 2020). "French Montana Accused of Sexually Assaulting Intoxicated Woman". Variety. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  89. ↑ "50 Cent Reacts to French Montana Sexual Assault Accusation Read More: 50 Cent Reacts to French Montana Sexual Assault Accusation". XXL Magazine. March 27, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  90. 1 2 Hautman, Nicolas (March 27, 2020). "F rench Montana Accused of Sexually Assaulting Intoxicated Woman in Lawsuit". Us Magazine. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  91. ↑ "R apper French Montana Sued By Woman Who Claims He Sexually Assaulted Her During A House Party". Oxygen. March 31, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  92. 1 2 Hilton, Perez (May 6, 2021). "French Montana Accused Of Sexual Assault By Two Women In Gut-Wrenching New Videos". PerezHilton. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  93. 1 2 "New charges of sexual assault against French Montana". Daily Morocco. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
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  96. ↑ "This French Montana Song Sounds Suspiciously Similar to "Jump" by Norwegian Pop Star Astrid S | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
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  99. ↑ "Astrid S om French Montana-plagiat: – Måtte betale". www.vg.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  100. ↑ "French Montana Launches Global Healthcare Initiative, Donates $100K to Mama Hope Organization in Uganda: Exclusive". Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  101. ↑ "French Montana Donated $100K to Uganda and Became Rap's First-Ever Global Citizen Ambassador". January 27, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  102. ↑ "French Montana Honored for His Humanitarian Work in Africa, Helping to Raise over $200 Million". Complex Networks.
  103. 1 2 3 4 Peña, Loris (August 28, 2012). "Monsieur Montana". Status Magazine. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
  104. ↑ "French Montana Discusses His Arab-American Heritage and Honoring Ramadan". April 21, 2023.
  105. ↑ "French Montana Honors His Muslim Roots on New Album Cover".
  106. ↑ Krishnamurthy, Sowmya (August 15, 2014). "French Montana Talks New Album, Kanye and Media Attention on His Relationship With Khloe Kardashian". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2014. On a sweltering afternoon, a camera flashes on French Montana at his new house in suburban Pompton Plains, N.J.
  107. ↑ "French Montana buys old crib". TMZ.com. April 29, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  108. ↑ Melas, Chloe (September 30, 2014). "French Montana: Rapper Officially Divorces Wife Dean Kharbouch". Hollywood Life. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  109. 1 2 "French Montana – Ain't Worried 'Bout Nothin ... Finally Divorced". TMZ.com. October 3, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  110. ↑ French Montana becomes US citizen TMZ.com 2018/06/14
  111. ↑ French Montana becomes United States citizen The Fader, 2018/06/14
  112. ↑ "French Montana Talks Record Deal, Ross & Akon". slumz.boxden.com. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  113. ↑ "Shot In The Head & Beat Murder Case". VladTV. October 2, 2008. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  114. ↑ "French Montana Gets High, Purchases Baby Tigers". MTV. April 22, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  115. ↑ "BTS of French Montana and The Weekend's Music Video "The Gifted"". Noisey.com. May 10, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  116. ↑ "French Montana and The Weekend Play With Tigers In 'The Gifted' Video". rap-up.com. May 23, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  117. ↑ "Ridiculousness: Season 5 Episode 12". MTV. September 25, 2014. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  118. ↑ "French Montana Introduces His Pet Monkey Julius Ceasor". TMZ.com. December 20, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  119. ↑ "Exclusive: Mally Mall Gifts French Montana With a Monkey!". Mando Fresko. December 18, 2014. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2015 – via YouTube.
  120. ↑ Shull, Zac (February 6, 2012). "French Montana: Talks Indie Grind, Diddy's Business Sense & Max B". Ballerstatus.com. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  121. ↑ "French Montana Speaks On Overseas Groupies, Working With Max B & Going On Tour With Chris Brown?". Hot 97. June 27, 2012. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2015 – via YouTube.
  122. ↑ "French Montana & Lil Boosie Announce New Movies". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on May 6, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  123. ↑ Howard, Hanna (September 22, 2016). "'Empire' Season 3 Premiere Recap". Teen Vogue. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  124. ↑ "See Nominees for the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) 2014". Bellanaija. June 9, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  125. ↑ "BET Awards '13 Nominations Announced". BET. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  126. 1 2 "2013 BET Hip Hop Awards: The Complete Winners List". MTV. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  127. ↑ "Billboard Music Awards 2015: See the Full List of Finalists". Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  128. ↑ "Grammy Nominations 2016: See the Full List of Nominees". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  129. ↑ "Grammys 2017: The Full Nominations List". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
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