: In 2003, he survived a near-fatal gunshot wound to the head, an event he cites as a major turning point for his focus on music. 🎤 Building an Empire
Born in Morocco in 1984, Kharbouch immigrated to New York City at age 13. His early years were defined by significant struggle: French Montana
: He arrived speaking only Arabic and French, which led to the nickname "French". : In 2003, he survived a near-fatal gunshot
Before becoming a mainstream star, Montana was a pioneer in independent digital media: : In 2003