Diplo French Montana: The Hitmaking Hip-Hop & Pop Collaborator

Diplo French Montana is the professional moniker for the Moroccan-American rapper and songwriter French Montana, frequently used in contexts highlighting his extensive collaborative work with the superstar DJ and producer Diplo. Born Karim Kharbouch in Casablanca, Morocco, he moved to the United States as a teenager, settling in the South Bronx. His major chart achievement came with the 2017 pop-rap smash Unforgettable featuring Swae Lee, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified diamond by the RIAA.

Early career

French Montana's musical journey began in the mixtape circuit of New York City in the mid-2000s. His early work, like the Cocaine City series, garnered street buzz and caught the attention of major players, leading to a joint venture with Akon's Konvict Muzik and later Diddy's Bad Boy Records. This period established his signature melodic, hustler-inspired style within the hip-hop genre.

Breakthrough

Montana's mainstream breakthrough was solidified in 2012 with the release of the hit single Pop That featuring Rick Ross, Drake, and Lil Wayne. The track, from his debut studio album Excuse My French (2013), reached No. 36 on the Hot 100 and was certified platinum. His alignment with Bad Boy Records and Maybach Music Group provided a powerful platform, making him a constant presence on urban radio.

Key tracks

Unforgettable — This Swae Lee collaboration became a global pop phenomenon, defining Montana's career and earning a diamond certification for over 10 million units sold.

Pop That — The star-studded club anthem served as his commercial arrival, driving his debut album to a No. 4 debut on the Billboard 200 chart.

No Stylist featuring Drake — This 2018 single highlighted his high-profile connections and debuted in the Top 10 of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Lockjaw — A key collaboration with producer Diplo from the 2014 EP Diplo Presents: Revolution, it exemplified his crossover work into electronic-tinged hip-hop.

His subsequent albums, including Jungle Rules (2017) and Montana (2019), featured a who's who of features from artists like Max B, The Weeknd, and Cardi B. The single Writing on the Wall from Jungle Rules, featuring Post Malone and Cardi B, achieved platinum status. His frequent studio sessions with Diplo, a master of genre fusion, led to the informal "Diplo French Montana" credit on various tracks and playlists, symbolizing their hitmaking partnership.

Artists with a similar blend of melodic hip-hop and pop crossover appeal include Post Malone. He shares Montana's knack for blending rap with catchy, genre-fluid hooks. Swae Lee was the crucial vocalist on Montana's biggest hit and represents a similar melodic, atmospheric style. Future operates in the same sphere of influential trap music with a prolific output of street anthems and pop features. DJ Khaled mirrors Montana's role as a curator and assembler of all-star hip-hop collaborations.

The music of French Montana maintains heavy rotation on major hip-hop and top 40 radio stations, as well as on dedicated urban and pop channels featured on this website. His catalog of hits and features ensures his voice is a constant on playlists driving contemporary music radio.

Listeners can explore the hit-filled discography of French Montana, including his pivotal work with Diplo, by tuning into the hip-hop and pop radio stations available on onairium.com, where his anthems are a staple of modern playlists.