For as long as many can remember, French Montana has held a specific role in Hip Hop, often seen as a single-faceted hitmaker. Early in his career, he showed potential as a lyrical spitter, particularly in the 2000s when he delivered hard-hitting freestyles on SMACK DVDs and various mixtape series. However, since his mainstream debut via XXL’s 2012 Freshmen list and commercial hits like “Shot Caller” and “Pop That,” he’s been typecast as a one-dimensional trap artist. With *Mac & Cheese 5,* the latest installment of his beloved mixtape series, French seems determined to break free from this mold.
The first half of *Mac & Cheese 5* offers a refreshing departure from the Auto-Tune-heavy tracks that have dominated French’s recent work. Over soul-sampled boom bap beats, he raps with a hunger reminiscent of his early days in the Bronx, especially on tracks like “Dirty Bronx Intro,” where he fires back at critics who’ve questioned his authenticity. “Stand United” featuring Kanye West, Buju Banton, and Saint JHN, echoes the spirit of a lost Gang Starr track, while “Splash Brothers” delivers some of the project’s best bars, including the memorable line, “Devil on my heels like I’m Lil Nas X.”
While *Mac & Cheese 5* shows French Montana revisiting his roots, he hasn’t entirely abandoned his quest for hit records. Tracks like “Millionaire Row” with Rick Ross and Meek Mill, and “Okay” featuring Lil Baby, follow the familiar hit-making formula, but others like “Money Ain’t a Thing” with Lil Durk and “Fake Friends” with Bryson Tiller stand out for their clever writing and potential to become summertime anthems. Although the mixtape may not win any Pulitzers, it marks a significant return to form for French Montana, blending his Bronx basics with a modern edge and hinting at a promising second act in his career.