DrJays.com
by Boss Lady
French Montana‘s first trek back to his homeland of Morocco since leaving as a child has been beautifully captured byFADER magazine for their annual Photo issue.
In a moving story penned by writer Zac Baron (with powerful images from Michael Schmelling), French (born Karim Kharbouch) returns to his birthplace of Morocco for the first time since his emigration in 1996 to celebrate Ramadan with his family and reconnect with his father, whom he had not seen or spoken to in over a decade.
“I remember me as a kid, just being raised around people in a third world country and not having the opportunity to become what I became today.” French says. “It’s so crazy how I ended up in the States and made it happen.” Reunited with family members after 14 years of separation, the cover story documents the rapper as he introduces his brother to their father for the first time.
“Coming into Casablanca, the road is fast and empty and lined on both sides by a pale, straw-colored landscape. We speed through gendarme checkpoints, uniformed guards waving us on. Ahead of us the city comes into focus, thousands of low, white buildings stretching flatly in the haze. French Montana looks out the window, taking it all in. He’s grinning.”
Currently working on his debut album Excuse My French, the Bronx, New York representative’s current single “Pop That” sits at number four on Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop chart and number 42 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
The FADER‘s new Photo issue is available on newsstands October 9. You can read the cover story here.
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