French Montana Net Worth: A Journey Through Music and Success
French Montana is a Moroccan-born American rapper who has a net worth of $50 million. In 2012, he signed a joint-venture record deal with Bad Boy Records and Maybach Music. He released his debut studio album, “Excuse My French” in 2013. That album featured popular tracks like “Pop That” and “Ain’t Worried About Nothin’.” His second studio album, 2017’s “Jungle Rules,” reached #3 on the Billboard 200, propelled by the single “Unforgettable.” “Unforgettable,” which featured Swae Lee, garnered billions of streams worldwide.
Who is French Montana
Karim Kharbouch, known as French Montana, is a Moroccan-American rapper born on November 9, 1984. Immigrating to the U.S. at 13, he began his music career in 2002 and gained recognition with the DVD series Cocaine City.
French Montana Early Life
French Montana was born Karim Kharbouch on November 9, 1984, in Rabat, Morocco. The name French Montana is a combination of his French roots in Morocco and Tony Montana from the movie Scarface. Growing up, his two biggest passions were playing soccer and rapping. He also loved basketball. He grew up on a family estate on the outskirts of Casablanca. At 13, the family moved to the United States. They settled in the South Bronx. At that time he only spoke his native languages of Moroccan Darija and French. A teenage Karim had to learn English from other kids and in high school.
French Montana Career
In 2002, French launched a series of mix tapes under the label Cocaine City. French released his mixtape debut in 2007. In 2009, he landed a big break when he was signed to Akon’s Konvict Muzik record label. Unfortunately, nothing came of this contract, and after two years, French abandoned his deal with Akon and instead signed with Diddy’s Bad Boy Records. He had his first breakthrough with the single “Choppa Choppa Down” in 2010. Today he has a joint deal that is split by Bad Boy Records and Rick Ross’ Maybach Music. His first official studio album, Excuse My French, was released in May of 2013. The album reached #1 on the US Rap and US R&B/Hip-Hop charts, as well as #4 on the Billboard 200 chart and #11 in Canada. His second album, Jungle Rules, was released in July 2017 and reached #3 on the Billboard 200, US Rap, and US R&B/Hip-Hop charts, as well as #2 in Canada. Montana’s single “Pop That” (featuring Rick Ross, Drake, and Lil Wayne) reached #2 on the US Rap and US R&B/Hip-Hop charts. His single “Unforgettable” (featuring Swae Lee) reached #1 on the US Rap chart as well as #2 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart and #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 in the UK. “Unforgettable” was Montana’s first song as a lead artist to reach the top 10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
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French Montana Rocking The Mic & Counting The Hits
French Montana’s career took off with the release of the Cocaine City series of street DVDs, but his collaboration with Max B truly put him on the map. Signing with Diddy’s Bad Boy Records marked a turning point, with hits like “Pop That” and “Unforgettable” storming the charts. His studio albums, such as Excuse My French and Jungle Rules, were commercially successful and critically acclaimed. Collaborations with Drake, Lil Wayne, and Rick Ross have only strengthened Montana’s position in the rap industry. His often lavish and cinematic music videos added another layer to his appeal.
French Montana Business Ventures & Philanthropy
Beyond the rap game, Montana has proven his business acumen. His portfolio is as diverse as his music, from investments in health and wellness companies to dabbling in the fashion industry. Further, his philanthropic work, especially in Africa, stands out. From funding medical facilities in Uganda to working with educational projects, Montana’s dedication to giving back is commendable. His efforts extend beyond mere financial contributions; they reflect a genuine desire to uplift and empower.
French Montana Personal Life
Montana is fluent in his native Arabic and French as well as in English. Two gunmen fired guns at Montana as he left a recording studio in New York City. A bullet hit him in the head, causing him to be hospitalized for several weeks. One of the gunmen died during the incident when the other assailant fired at him. Montana was not found to have any involvement in the incident. Montana married Deen Kharbouch in 2007. The couple separated in 2012, and their divorce was finalized in 2014. They have a son who was born in 2010.
French Montana Real Estate Investment
In 2013, French Montana paid $995 thousand for a 1.4-acre estate in Pequannock, New Jersey, that features a 6,000-square-foot mansion. He listed this property for sale for the first time in 2018 for $1.4 million. He did not find a buyer and appears to be the owner still. In 2016, French Montana paid Selena Gomez $3.3 million for her 8,000-square-foot Calabasas home:
He reportedly spent a large amount of money on various renovations and expansions of the home – including about $400,000 on a recording studio located in the property’s guest house. In February 2020, French listed the home for sale for double what he paid, $6.6 million. He reduced the price to $5.999 million a few months after it was first listed. He finally sold the home in September 2021 for $5 million.
FAQs
What is French Montana’s real name?
French Montana’s real name is Karim Kharbouch.
How did French Montana get his stage name?
He combined his French heritage from Morocco and the name “Tony Montana” from the movie Scarface to create “French Montana.”
What is French Montana’s most successful song?
“Unforgettable,” featuring Swae Lee, is French Montana’s most successful song, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and amassing billions of streams worldwide.
What was French Montana’s breakthrough moment in his career?
French Montana’s breakthrough came in 2010 with his hit single “Choppa Choppa Down” and his signing with Diddy’s Bad Boy Records.
Conclusion
French Montana’s journey from a Moroccan immigrant to one of the biggest names in the rap industry showcases his resilience, talent, and business acumen. His career has been marked by chart-topping hits like “Unforgettable,” successful collaborations with industry giants, and strategic ventures outside of music.
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