French Montana signs to Bad Boy/Epic
PRESS RELEASE:
Worldwide platinum-selling hip-hop icon and Coke Boys music founder FrenchMontana, one of the most prolific and instantly recognizable players in the game today – with nearly 300 lead and feature appearances on singles, album and mixtape tracks and videos – has officially signed to the roster of the new Bad Boy Entertainment/Epic Records partnership, it was jointly announced by Bad Boy founder Sean ’Diddy’ Combs and Epic Chairman and CEO LA Reid.
Montana makes his Bad Boy/Epic debut today in grand style with the release of a new song and video, “Figure It Out” featuring Kanye West and Nas.
“Figure It Out” was first introduced in February onWave Gods, Montana’s newest Coke Boys mixtape, but today’s Bad Boy/Epic release marks the first time it will be made available for purchase and for streaming.
“Anyone who has paid attention to the course of hip-hop over the past decade has found French Montana consistently at the eye of the storm,” said Mr. Reid. “He has funneled his North African roots and Bronx upbringing into a unique presence on hundreds of tracks by artists across the musical spectrum. French has now become one of hip-hop’s core artists himself, and I’m happy to welcome him to the Epic family.”
“FrenchMontana is a proven Hit Maker,”said Sean “Diddy” Combs. “When I first heard him, I knew he had that special Bad Boy sound and I believed inhis potential. He was on the fast track then, and now, to see how far he’s come, he’s a majorforce in Hip-Hop anda key member of the Bad Boy Family.Bad Boy is known for creating the biggest acts in hip-hop – andFrenchis not only a part of our legacy but now also a part of our new chapter at Epic Records.”
“French Montana has accomplished more in the past few years than most artists are able to achieve in their entire career,” saidHarve Pierre, President of Bad Boy Entertainment. “When first bringing French to the company, I knew that he would become a tremendous asset and bring overall value to the brand. As a member of the Bad Boy family, he has already put his mark on some of the hottest music around, and has shown the world the future of hip-hop.”
“Love the respect and appreciation that LA Reid and his team have for music. I think it’s rare to find that in the industry today,” said French Montana. “Being able to start this chapter at Epic with my Bad Boy family is a blessing. Puff and Harve have been like big brothers to me and there’s nothing better than making music with the people you love.”
The video for “Figure It Out” was directed by the renowned Eif Rivera, who has worked with Montana on numerous projects including clips for some of his biggest tracks (among them “Freaks” featuring Nicki Minaj, and “Bad Bitch” featuring Jeremih), as well as collaborations with Jeremih (“Don’t Tell Em Remix“), Quincy (“Friends First“), the Neighborhood (“#ICantEven“),Joe Budden (“NBA“), and many others.
ABOUT FRENCH MONTANA —One of the most important figures in the world of hip-hop and beyond, French Montana was born in Morocco, and at age 13 emigrated to the Bronx with his family. Fluent in French and Arabic at the time, and speaking only a little English, hip-hop became a catalyst for him to learn the language of his new homeland. Living in the Boogie Down Bronx mecca of hip-hop, he quickly embraced the culture and became enthralled with it. It was during his adolescent years that he made the switch from spectator to player in the rap game.
After releasing mixtapes and street DVDs for nearly a decade, French Montana crossed the rubicon from indie threat to Top 20 chart maker in 2011, when “Shot Caller” emerged as a hit single from hisMister 16: Casino Lifemixtape. As coast-to-coast airplay exploded, and he was recognized as the next big thing from New York City, a swift bidding war for Montana’s signature ensued between record labels. In 2012, it was announced that he would ride the wave with Bad Boy Entertainment (then via InterscopeGeffenA&M), known ever since its creation by Sean “Diddy” Combs in 1993, for igniting the careers of bubbling street artists and transforming them into hip-hop game changers.
Montana’s debut albumExcuse My Frenchwas released May 2013 via Bad Boy Entertainment and Maybach Music Group. Executive produced by Bad Boy’s Sean “Diddy” Combs, Maybach’s Rick Ross, and Co-Executive Produced by Harve Pierre. The record was mainly produced by longtime collaborator Harry Fraud, and was named one of the “most anticipated albums” of the year byComplex. Guest appearances by Max B, Drake, Rick Ross, Diddy, and of course Montana’s Coke Boys crew (Chinx Drugz,Charlie Rock, Cheeze and Flip) added to the album’s impact among fans. Excuse My Frenchspun off a trio of solid chart hits: the RIAA platinum “Pop That” featuring Rick Ross, Drake, and Lil Wayne; “Freaks” featuring Nicki Minaj; and “Ain’t Worried About Nothin.’”
Since 2013, Montana has become one of the busiest MCs in the world. He has collaborated with everyone from Jay-Z and Kanye West, to Nas and Jennifer Lopez (to name a few), and has been featured on nearly two dozen singles with collaborators ranging from Rick Ross and Drake (“Stay Schemin’”) to Akon, Fat Joe, A$AP Ferg, Joe Budden, Daddy Yankee, Fabolous, will.i.am, Chris Brown, DJ Khaled, Omarion, and others. One source identified more than 160 guest appearances by Montana on other artists’ albums and mixtapes between 2010-2015.French Montana’s secret to success in the rap game? “I just pay attention to what people say,” he suggests. “The people chose me. You can’t come out and say you hot. The people gotta choose you.” And time and time again, the people have chosen French Montana. French is also an ambassador for CÎROC™ Ultra-Premium Vodka.
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