Rise to Success: Career Highlights of French Montana
1994: "Freaks" as a Remake
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.
1997: Reference to Diddy's "It's All About the Benjamins"
In August, French Montana's song "Shot Caller" made reference to Diddy's 1997 hit "It's All About the Benjamins", garnering the interest of the Bad Boy mogul.
2002: Creation of Cocaine City DVD series
In 2002, French Montana, then known as Young French, and his friend Cams created the Cocaine City DVD series, which featured interviews with hip hop figures and showcased his original music and collaborations.
February 6, 2009: Coke Wave Release
On February 6, 2009, French Montana and Max B released their debut collaborative mixtape, Coke Wave.
February 24, 2009: The Laundry Man Release
On February 24, 2009, French Montana released his mixtape "The Laundry Man".
April 19, 2009: "New York Minute" Release
On April 19, 2009, French Montana released his fifth mixtape, Mac Wit Da Cheese, which included the song "New York Minute" featuring Jadakiss, marking his first collaboration with Harry Fraud.
2009: Busiest Year of Releases Since 2009
2011 would be French Montana's busiest year of releases since 2009.
2009: Signing with Konvict Music
Starting in 2009, French Montana signed a deal with Akon and his Konvict Music label, resulting in collaborations and the release of "Married to the Streets" on French's mixtape.
September 15, 2010: Coke Boys Mixtape Release
On September 15, 2010, French Montana released his tenth mixtape Coke Boys, which included collaborations with Three 6 Mafia, Gucci Mane, Akon and Fat Joe.
November 18, 2010: Signing with Mizay Entertainment
On November 18, 2010, French Montana signed with Mizay Entertainment, headed by Debra Antney, which led to a trap influence in his music.
2010: End of Cocaine City DVD Series
In 2010, the Cocaine City DVD series, created by French Montana and Cams, came to an end after running for eight years and producing 14 volumes.
April 28, 2011: "Choppa Choppa Down" Remix Release
On April 28, 2011, French Montana released the remix of "Choppa Choppa Down" featuring Rick Ross and Wiz Khalifa, marking the start of his relationship with Rick Ross and Maybach Music Group.
October 2011: "Shot Caller" Gains Traction
In October 2011, French Montana's song "Shot Caller" gained traction on New York radio. Fat Joe praised French's work ethic and revealed that he had been receiving offers from several major labels.
2011: "Shot Caller" Popularity on Radio
Between 2011 and 2012, "Shot Caller" became one of the most added tracks on urban contemporary radio, indicating its rising popularity.
2011: "Shot Caller" Gains Popularity
In 2011, Harry Fraud's track with French Montana, "Shot Caller", became one of the most added tracks on urban contemporary radio.
February 2012: "Shot Caller" Remix Music Video Release
In February 2012, the music video for the remix of "Shot Caller" was released, further solidifying the song's popularity.
April 13, 2012: Release of Coke Boys 3 Mixtape
On April 13, 2012, French Montana released his fifteenth mixtape Coke Boys 3, featuring collaborations with various artists.
July 2012: Album Release Delay
In July 2012, French Montana's album was initially expected for release, but faced several pushbacks. The music video for Headquarters premiered on July 21.
August 2012: XXL Freshman Class of 2012
In August 2012, French Montana was featured on XXL's Freshman Class of 2012, solidifying his status as a rising artist. He almost turned it down feeling he deserved it earlier.
November 20, 2012: Release of Mac & Cheese 3 Mixtape
On November 20, 2012, French Montana released his sixteenth mixtape Mac & Cheese 3, featuring collaborations with various artists and acclaimed for its production.
2012: Interview with Parlé Magazine
In 2012, French Montana revealed in an interview with Parlé magazine that his deal with Mizay Entertainment had been for a year and a half.
2012: XXL Freshman Class and Major Label Signing
In 2012, French Montana was included in XXL's Freshman Class. He had already signed to Bad Boy Records and a joint venture with Bad Boy and Maybach Music Group, marking a significant step in his career.
2012: Akon Deal Ends
In 2012, French Montana's "shopping deal" with Akon's Konvict Music ended due to issues with Interscope, leading French to pursue his own path. Akon continued to maintain a relationship with French.
2012: Acevedo Becomes Manager
In 2012, Gaby Acevedo became French Montana's manager after Rifkind left Universal Music Group and Mizay Entertainment deal ended.
2012: "Shot Caller" Success
In 2012, Harry Fraud's track with French Montana, "Shot Caller" continued gaining mainstream attention.
January 2013: Announcement of "Freaks" Single
In January 2013, French Montana announced his second single "Freaks", featuring Nicki Minaj, to be a remake of Lil Vicious' 1994 song of the same name.
February 2013: Release of "Ocho Cinco" Music Video
In February 2013, a music video for "Ocho Cinco" - featuring Diddy, MGK, Red Cafe and King Los - was released.
April 15, 2013: Release of "Ain't Worried About Nothin"
On April 15, 2013, French Montana released his third single "Ain't Worried About Nothin", which became a viral hit.
May 21, 2013: Release of Excuse My French Album
After multiple delays, French Montana's debut album Excuse My French was released on May 21, 2013, coinciding with the birthdays of Max B and The Notorious B.I.G.
2013: Featured Artist on Several Singles
In 2013, French Montana appeared as a featured artist on several singles, including Joe Budden's "NBA", ASAP Ferg's "Work (Remix)", Massari's "Shisha", and Will.i.am's "Feelin Myself".
2013: Excuse My French Album Release
In 2013, French Montana released his debut studio album, "Excuse My French," which peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 despite receiving mixed reviews.
January 2, 2014: Release of Coke Boys 4 Mixtape
On January 2, 2014, French Montana released his seventeenth mixtape Coke Boys 4, featuring collaborations with various artists.
January 2014: Next Mac & Cheese to be a Studio Album
In a January 2014 Rolling Stone interview, French Montana revealed that his next Mac & Cheese would be a studio album instead of a mixtape.
January 20, 2014: Release of "Paranoid" Music Video
French Montana's subsequent music videos included "Paranoid" featuring Johnny May Cash, which was released on January 20, 2014.
December 12, 2014: Release of Mac & Cheese: The Appetizer
On December 12, 2014, French Montana released his collaborative EP with Harry Fraud, Mac & Cheese: The Appetizer, showcasing a shift in his musical style.
February 19, 2016: Mixtape Debut
On February 19, 2016, French Montana's mixtape, hosted by Max B, debuted on We The Best Radio.
May 5, 2016: Signing with Bad Boy and Epic Records
On May 5, 2016, French Montana's contract with Interscope and MMG ended, and he signed a joint venture record deal with Bad Boy and Epic Records.
August 19, 2016: MC4 Album Leak
On August 19, 2016, Target unofficially released French Montana's album MC4 on CD, two months before its official release date, leading to it leaking online.
October 2016: Cancellation of MC4 Album Release
In October 2016, French Montana's planned release of his second studio album MC4 was cancelled after the album leaked and faced sample clearance issues.
November 5, 2016: MC4 Released as Mixtape
On November 5, 2016, French Montana unexpectedly released MC4 as a mixtape and premiered it on Drake's Beats 1 radio show, OVO Sound radio.
July 14, 2017: Release of Jungle Rules Album
On July 14, 2017, Montana released Jungle Rules as his second album.
2017: "Unforgettable" success and Jungle Rules album release
In 2017, French Montana's single "Unforgettable" featuring Swae Lee reached the top ten on the Billboard chart and was later certified diamond. He also released his second studio album, "Jungle Rules," which achieved commercial success and was met with a better critical reception than his previous album.
December 6, 2019: Release of Montana Album
On December 6, 2019, French Montana released his third studio album Montana, featuring collaborations with Cardi B, Post Malone, and Rvssian.
2019: Montana Album Release
In 2019, French Montana released his third studio album, "Montana". It received mixed reviews and lukewarm commercial success.
2021: They Got Amnesia Album Release
In 2021, French Montana released his fourth studio album, "They Got Amnesia," which received a lukewarm reception and marked his final release on a major label.
June 9, 2022: Release of "Je M'appelle"
On June 9, 2022, French Montana released the song "Je M'appelle" in collaboration with Moroccan-British artist Benzz and Tion Wayne.
