Check the Rhyme Review for French Montana’s MC4
The highly anticipated Mac & Cheese 4 album has been in the works for 3 years now. Serving as a follow up to French Montana’s Excuse My French, the project originally slated to be an album years later released as a botched mixtape. In 2014, the project has huge projections and all the hype behind MC4. Announcing he and Ye had about five songs in the works, as well as a DJ Mustard collab for the lead single “Don’t Panic,” and at one point linked up with Rick Ross & Lil Wayne for a flop single “Gucci Mane.” At the early 2016 MC4 regained another glimpse of hope with two great singles “Figure It Out” with Kanye West & Nas, as well as “Lockjaw” with Kodak Black. Unfortunately for French, in the few weeks prior to it’s release a few licensing complications popped up delaying it even more. Only thing, the whole album leaked, losing lots of his hype. 10 days later French gave up and released the project as a free mixtape. For the fans, the lack of label interest ruined the project as a whole and killed the mixtape.
The mixtape might not have lived up to it’s great potential, but there is a few tracks that will catch your eye. French started the tape off as powerful as he could with “Ready.” “Ready,” combines the sweet melody and hard hitting production in the middle of the track. Definitely one of the most melodic tracks in the tape. Working down the track list we come across the fan favorites “No Shopping” with Drake as well as “Everytime” with Jeezy. Both tracks with more commercial feel to it. Utilizing Drake’s distinct style in “No Shopping” French assembles his inner Mediterranean vibe. Both tracks are boastful tracks, as French boasts about women and money.
“Said N Done” featuring A$AP Rocky combines the golden era NY-mining sound with the classic club feel that’s great for all rap listener’s. “Lockjaw” the previously dropped single gained MC4 most of it’s hype features the young energy from 2016 XXL freshmen Kodak Black. The two go back and forth over the hollowed out east coast trap production.
The album takes a somber turn in the middle of the tracklist with the Miguel assisted “Xplicit.” Calling in some bigger names Kanye West & Nas make an appearance on the strongest track in the project “Figure It Out.” Contoured with a heavy piano melody and introspective beat, the track emphasizes on more serious notes. Montana reflects on his past and growing up on welfare. “Coming from the back block/posted like the backdrop/rags to the riches/got rich bought the ragtop,” he raps. Nas delivers another verse about staying real even when you have fame and money.
With production coming from Earl & E, and even DJ Khaled, the most stand out tracks goes to “I’m Heated,” and “Figure It Out.” Influenced with the golden era and popularizing through East coast style.
