Karim Kharbouch, professionally known as French Montana, is a multifaceted artist born on November 9, 1984, with a remarkable journey that has taken him from Morocco to the United States and back again.
Born and raised in Morocco, Kharbouch immigrated to the United States with his family when he was just 13 years old. This significant move marked the beginning of his journey in the American music industry.
As the founder of Coke Boys Records and its predecessor Cocaine City Records, Kharbouch has established himself as a prominent figure in the music industry. In 2012, he signed a joint-venture recording deal with Bad Boy Records and Maybach Music Group, further solidifying his position.
Kharbouch's music career began with the release of his mix-tape debut in 2007. However, it was his single "Choppa Choppa Down" in 2010 that brought him to the forefront of the music scene. His debut studio album, Excuse My French, was released on May 21, 2013, and featured the hit single "Pop That."
In July 2017, Montana released his second studio album, Jungle Rules, which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. The album was supported by the single "Unforgettable," featuring Swae Lee, which became Montana's first song as lead artist to reach the top 10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
But before his rise to fame, Kharbouch's life was marked by hardship and struggle. In 1996, at the age of 13, he left Morocco with his parents and younger brother for New York City, where they settled in the South Bronx. Initially, Kharbouch spoke only Moroccan Darija and French, and it was through his experiences in the streets and in Bronx high schools that he learned English.
After struggling for two years, Kharbouch's father decided they would move back to Casablanca, but his mother opted to stay back with their children, citing lack of opportunities back home. 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 his mother pregnant and dependent on welfare for financial support, Kharbouch found himself the primary breadwinner for his family. Despite the challenges he faced, Kharbouch persevered and eventually found success in the music industry, becoming the person he is today.
