French Montana On His New Film ‘For Khadija: ‘The First Doc Is Like Your First Album
Conceived as a French Montana documentary, named for Khadija after her mother, not the hip-hop alter ego of Moroccan expatriate Karim Kharbouch. "I experienced my mother's story, just before she returned to Morocco, when I said, 'OK, now the story makes sense,'" French told Variety . "This is for all the struggling mothers who have children who are forced to sacrifice themselves."
Considering other films about rappers and their families, including Dear Mama, Abini and Tupac Shakur, and Biggie: I've Got a Story to Tell, which stars Notorious BIG's mother Violetta Wallace, that's the deal. . Must be a place. Unexpected start. But the documentary, which will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 16, uses Karim and Khadija's relationship to illuminate the unexpected path that led a troubled Moroccan boy to global rap stardom, and the chronic financial and family problems that threatened him. Problems that threaten to derail his meteoric rise.
Ahead of the festival premiere of Mandon Lovett's "For Khadija," French took part in a Zoom call to discuss his early inspiration for a documentary about his life, how early musical inspirations influenced his style and content as a rapper. , and this time he refrained from hinting at certain elements. - but he may appear in a sequel.
Have you been dying to tell the story of your life and career in this documentary?
It was better when I wanted to do it. An artist will come and have a successful year and make a documentary, or an artist will have a good time and release a documentary. I didn't want my documentary to be based on a moment, an award, an award or a reality show. I wanted to represent the struggle and experience of an immigrant in another country in my documentary. And you don't have to be an immigrant. You may be someone who strives to be something that seems impossible. And I experienced my mother's story, from beginning to end, at the end of returning to Morocco, when I thought, 'Okay, now the story makes sense.' Because this is true for all mothers who are disadvantaged and who have children who must make sacrifices. He turned out to be a Frenchie from Montana. Because my story is not over yet, because I am still at the beginning of my career. But my mother's story was like: Well, this story has to come out because this lady has been here for 25 years, she hasn't seen her family or anything, and she gave up everything for her children. And I was like, this is something I want the world to see. And that's when I said, "This documentary makes sense to me now."
Which hip hop artists did you listen to and like when you were younger?
I didn't know Tupac until All Eyes on Me came out and that was the most important thing. I remember Snoop Cooley's "Doggystyle", rest in peace. "Rene" by the late artist. I didn't know Jay Z before coming to the US. But after coming here I started digging deeper.
Many of the people I describe are gang rappers. How has listening fueled your path to success?
Honestly, it wasn't just rap. I listened to La Boche, I listened to a lot of techno music. I came here when I was 13, but when I was 10 I went to a club and listened to techno music and watched Moroccans dance. I was taken in by an amazing cousin and I was hooked on life.
Was it the art Tupac and Snoop created that inspired you or the experiences they expressed through their music?
I think the lifestyle is why I fell in love with so many artists because I went through them. I could not go to the university because I did not have the documents. All I had to do, I had no choice, was to hurry. What they were talking about in their music, they were loud. Your best friend has been shot. What did my best friend do? get shot Your best friend will go to jail and my best friend will go to jail. They were just talking about what was going on and that's why I was able to communicate with them. It is my only choice in life. I couldn't find a job. I could not go to college. It only helps with restlessness. We fought and everything went in a hurry. From fights to prisons and death to trials, everything involves a rush. And at that time it was even more obvious because we fell in love with the artist because of his lifestyle. Now you can fall in love with the artist on social media. These days it's like falling in love with AI because you don't know these artists. Back then, you knew what you were getting into and felt a strong connection with the artist.
Many of their greatest hits reimagined classic snippets: "Shot Caller" featuring Lords of the Underground's "Funky Child," "Bring Dem Things" with Arranged Confusion, and "New Thing" featuring Showbiz and Edgy. Is this a side effect of thinking of yourself as a student of hip-hop?
It's like alcohol, an alcohol that will never go away. And hip-hop may look like it's been around for 5,000 years, but it's only been around for 50 years. These are the sounds I've come to love, and I'd rather do that than use a new voice sometimes If Harry Fraud comes in and plays me a "calling" beat, he might as well put a beat with no sample on it. I'll do both and show the audience how they jumped on the "shot collar". Basically, you are giving credit to those who have done it before you and expressing your own opinion about it. They have young people. That's how I feel about hip-hop.
Once you take charge of your professional life, you say very little about your personal life. How much freedom did you give the documentarians to explore your life and work?
I've probably covered everything except going to rehab and the life of a rock star and times of being broke. And maybe a French Montana documentary that will cover the real bullshit. But it was more than just an immigration story. There must be someone else because my brother was deported. I want to see him again, we still have a lot to do. There is always something new to do in your career and new opportunities arise every day. But the first record is like your first album: you cover stuff you really want people to see.
How open are you generally about your life and your art experiences?
I don't like to ride on mental consciousness, I just do what my soul can handle. There are times that I let it all go, and there are times that I don't allow myself to self-destruct. I've been there for a minute and I've seen a lot of people who can't handle success and give it their all because if you give it your all, what's left? It's not funny. There is no mystery in this. I just think that not everything is good for everyone.
The documentary ends with a beautiful family reunion in Morocco. What did you learn from seeing your story from another person's perspective?
What I have learned is that I have no control over anything. It was because of my mother's willingness to sacrifice herself, and someone at the top wanted us to succeed and overcome all odds. Because there is no way I could have gone through all these things and all these traumas and all these situations and all these obstacles and not gone to jail or been caught. It shows you what God has planned for you, no one can stop. And that's exactly what happened. My mother did not speak English. He could not speak English. My younger brothers could not speak. It is a blessing for us to overcome this struggle and still be victorious. It's a miracle that people get to watch and watch the fight. We've indicated exactly what you need to do. It is a complete process.
