French Montana: 8 things you didn’t know about the rapper who survived a near-fatal shooting

Shot in the head, but still hit the charts, rapper French Montana’s life is straight-up legendary. Here's a look at lesser-known facts about his epic life.

1. He was born in Morocco and raised in the Bronx.
Karim Kharbouch, a.k.a. French Montana, was born in Casablanca and moved to New York at 13. He didn’t speak English when he landed—but fast-forward, and he was spitting bars and building a hip-hop empire in the Bronx.

2. He turned a street DVD hustle into a music career.
French started with Cocaine City, a gritty DVD series featuring interviews and rap beefs. It helped launch his underground rap presence and built the foundation for his eventual signing to Bad Boy and Maybach Music Group.

3. He’s the most streamed African-born artist—period.
With chart-topping hits like “Unforgettable” featuring Swae Lee, French Montana became the first African-born artist to earn a diamond-certified single. He’s streamed billions of times globally—no small feat.

4. He survived a near-fatal shooting.
In 2003, French was shot in the head while leaving a Bronx studio. One of the gunmen died, and he later revealed the attack was an inside betrayal. He not only survived but turned that trauma into creative fuel.

5. He’s the founder of Coke Boys Records.
French launched his label in 2008, signing artists like Lil Durk, the late Chinx, and producer Harry Fraud. The Coke Boys movement grew from mixtapes into a full-fledged street-smart sound.

6. He once owned two tiger cubs and a monkey.
Yes, actual tiger cubs. French went viral after casually posting a photo of himself holding baby tigers named Ike and Tina. Later, he adopted a monkey named Julius Caesar. It’s giving The Hangover meets hip-hop royalty.

7. He’s deeply involved in philanthropy.
After shooting the “Unforgettable” video in Uganda, French raised over $500,000 to build the Suubi hospital. He’s helped support maternal healthcare and was named a Global Citizen Ambassador. French has receipts when it comes to giving back.

8. His life story became a documentary.
In 2023, For Khadija—a documentary named after his mother—premiered at Tribeca Film Festival. Co-executive produced by Diddy and Drake, the film traces French’s journey from Morocco to stardom, spotlighting his mother’s sacrifices and his rise against all odds.