French Montana - Montega

Entrusting your entire production to a single producer means stopping in search of sounds and settling for a signature. That is the gamble Montega makes in 2022: twelve tracks, thirty-eight minutes and eight seconds, all crafted by Harry Fraud. Released under the label Coke Boys Records, this album slots between the studio album They Got Amnesia (2021) and the upcoming project Coke Boys 6, slated for 2023. Far from being a compilation of hits, this work builds as a coherent sonic unit, where the voice of the Moroccan-American rapper remains the guiding thread despite the presence of eight featured artists credited across all tracks.

Eight voices, one sonic compass

Montega's structure rests on a balance between creative solitude and vocal plurality. Of the twelve tracks, eight feature featuring artists, a density that could fragment the artist's identity if the production weren't equally rigorous. The album opens with "Blue Chills," where Skylar Gudasz sets the initial tone before French Montana takes the helm on "Rushmore Pack." This alternation between shared moments and solo passages creates a narrative breath, avoiding the exhaustion of a single voice while maintaining focus on the rapper. The heart of the album crystallizes around collaborations that reactivate historical ties or weave new ones. On "Kind of Girl," Rick Ross joins French Montana in a dynamic already explored in the past, notably on Excuse My French (2013) and They Got Amnesia (2021). This recurrence anchors the track within an artistic continuity where the two artists understand each other without needing to redefine themselves. Further along, "Bricks & Bags" brings together three distinct voices with Jadakiss and Benny The Butcher alongside French Montana, forming a vocal triplet that mixes different stylistic approaches within a single track.

Alliances that define the album's identity

Beyond the classic duos, Montega explores varied sonic territories thanks to its diverse guest list. Track 9, "Drop Top," marks another turning point with Quavo's intervention, bringing a specific rhythmic dimension that contrasts with previous features. The album closes with "Bronx Mecca," where Fleurie accompanies French Montana on a final track that sums up the spirit of this project: a celebration of the New York scene and its codes, far from superfluous excesses but rooted in a precise sonic reality.

The Fraud Legacy: Solidifying the Duo

What sets Montega apart from other French Montana projects is the complete absence of any other producers credited on the twelve tracks. Harry Fraud shoulders this creative load alone, delivering a unified sonic foundation that allows outside voices to integrate without muddying the central message. This approach contrasts with standard commercial rap practices, where multiplying beatmakers can sometimes dilute an album's identity. By positioning this record between They Got Amnesia (2021) and Coke Boys 6 (2023), French Montana draws a clear line in his discography: that of an artist who, after exploring varied territories, returns to the essentials. His collaboration with Harry Fraud is no longer just a one-off alliance; it has become a cornerstone of his sonic identity. Montega isn't trying to break records or rack up numbers, but rather to assert a coherent musical vision where every element, from the first track to the last, serves the same artistic intent.

Technical Details

- Release: June 24, 2022 - Label: Coke Boys Records - Tracks: 12 (38 min 08 s) - Opening / Closing: Blue Chills / Bronx Mecca - Guests: Skylar Gudasz, Babyface Ray, EST Gee, Rick Ross, Jadakiss, Benny The Butcher, Quavo, Chinx, Fleurie - Previous Album: They Got Amnesia (2021)