French Montana recalls being captivated by Tupac’s Ambitionz Az A Ridah growing up in Morocco despite not knowing English.
Born in Casablanca, Morocco, hip hop artist French Montana along with his family moved at the age of 12 to New York City looking for a better life and opportunity. Creating a new life in the Bronx, also led Montana to a path into hip hop.
Prior to mastering his skills as an artist in the birthplace of hip hop, French Montana was already a fan. Rappers such as Slick Rick and KRS-One had inspired the Moroccan early on. Appearing on Math Hoffa’s My Expert Opinion, the 38-year-old rapper reflected on one particular artist who instantly pulled him into the genre on a whole different level.
“All Eyez On Me,” said French Montana when asked what was his favorite album growing up. “Cause I remember listening to Ambitionz Az A Ridah and I didn’t even know English. That was around the time. I remember I used to be like whatever he is saying, I just feel his hunger and his pain.”
Fresh out on bail and now signed with his new home of Death Row records, Tupac would release rap’s first ever double album. His Death Row records debut All Eyez On Me is an instant classic and is one of hip hop’s most successful selling albums of all time.
“I came here a week after ‘Pac died. 96. I remember,” said French. “That’s all I was hearing about, cause I came a week after he died. I wanted to meet him.”
French isn’t the only high profile celebrity that was impacted by Tupac’s double album. Recently The Rock, as he has done in the past, reminded his 369 million followers of his favorite workout song. Tupac’s All Eyez On Me featuring Big Syke is not only The Rock’s go to when hitting the gym, but was also his very first wrestling entrance music. View: The Rock’s Workout Includes “Chest Back Super Pump” And Tupac
