Best of full interview: French Montana Talks 'Mac & Cheese 5,' Bridging The Gap For New Artists, Pop Smoke's Death & More

French Montana sits down with The Breakfast Club to discuss his latest project, Mac & Cheese 5, reflecting on his journey from the Bronx streets to global stardom. He opens up about the significance of the album's title, explaining that it's not a retirement but a deliberate conclusion to the mixtape series, a return to the raw, authentic energy of the mixtape era he helped define. He shares how he confronted years of negativity and criticism head-on in the album's intro, 'Dirty Bronx,' using it as a self-interview to address both fans and haters. French also reveals his personal transformation—abandoning drugs and alcohol after realizing they were attracting negative influences and hindering his ability to build generational wealth. He discusses the profound impact of losing Pop Smoke and Nipsey Hussle, which made him cautious about investing in his community, and reflects on his role as a bridge between old-school New York hip-hop and today’s digital era. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes authenticity, the importance of staying focused in the studio, and his commitment to mentoring young artists like D-Thing, Kenzo, and 41, while also sharing his global philanthropy efforts in Africa, Uganda, and the Bronx.