French Montana cooks up more hits in “Mac & Cheese 5.”
STREAM
TOP 5
5. Stand United (Ft. Kanye West, SAINt JHN & Buju Banton)
Any song with Kanye West and SAINt JHN is automatically GOATED to me.
In “Stand United,” Kanye West and French Montana take turns reflecting on their personal journeys and successes, emphasizing the challenges they’ve conquered, their accumulation of wealth, and their enduring presence in the music industry over many years. What stands out is how their assertive and passionate deliveries seamlessly complement the soulful and impactful production, creating a powerful listening experience that feels almost divine.
While SAINt JHN and Buju Banton’s contributions to the track might not resonate with you (Both sound choppy and out of place), I appreciate how they inject some much-needed soulfulness into the mix.
4. Where They At (Ft. Westside Gunn & Kanye West)
Kanye West on a Griselda-like beat >
While “Where They At” may not feature an abundance of Kanye bars, his influence is unmistakable throughout the track. Kanye drops intermittent bars over a gritty, Griselda-esque beat, adding to the overall vibe. However, Westside Gunn steals the show with a boastful verse, flaunting his conquests and lavish lifestyle. French Montana also shines with a dynamic verse, showcasing his versatility and mastery of various flows, including a nod to Biggie’s style.
OK, I’ll admit it: I only added this song to this list because it features Kanye rapping over a Griselda beat (Do y’all know how legendary that is?).
3. Splash Brothers (Ft. Lil Wayne & Rick Ross)
Nowadays, Klay Thompson is so bad that I’m not sure you should want to call yourself a splash brother…
“Splash Brothers” isn’t your typical mainstream track. It’s powered by a dramatic, piano-driven beat that might f**k around and make a thug shed a tear. Over it, Lil Wayne hits us with a braggadocious verse, French Montana comes across as disrespectful and self-assured, and Rick Ross brings his signature competitive edge. Interestingly, Montana’s verse stood out the most to me, as he matched the beat’s intensity with the right sense of urgency.
One standout line from French Montana in this song is: “Call you Soulja Slim ’cause we don’t know ya clap.”
2. Fake Friends (Ft. Bryson Tiller)
This isn’t the sexiest choice for number 2, but I feel like Bryson Tiller’s performance in the song is excellent.
This collaboration between French Montana and Bryson Tiller surprisingly works well, thanks to the smooth production and Tiller’s contributions. Tiller’s infectious hook sets the tone perfectly, while his inspirational verse about hard work and success adds depth to the song. However, French Montana’s verse feels out of place and doesn’t quite match the tone, detracting from the overall experience. I vote to remove French from this song so we can add J. Cole to it.
1. Praise God (Ft. JID)
JID probably put up the best verse on this album.
“Praise God” is a shining gem amidst an album filled with fluff and gimmicks. Its authentic and organic vibe is immediately apparent, thanks to the impactful production featuring stirring organs and a compelling tempo. JID sets the tone with a divine verse, expressing gratitude to GOD for reaching 33 and allowing him to overcome hardships. French Montana complements with an infectious hook and a so-so verse, showcasing his resilience and street smarts. I wouldn’t be surprised if listeners consider this track the album’s highlight.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. Dirty Bronx Intro (Ft. Amber Run) (4/5)
2. Talk To Me (3.5/5)
3. Stand United (Ft. Kanye West, SAINt JHN & Buju Banton) (4/5)
4. Splash Brothers (Ft. Lil Wayne & Rick Ross) (4/5)
5. Okay (Ft. Lil Baby & ATL Jacob) (3.5/5)
6. Casino Life 3 (3.5/5)
7. Where They At (Ft. Kanye West & Westside Gunn) (3/5)
8. Skit (N/A)
9. Too Fun (Ft. Kyle Richh, Jenn Carter, 41) (2/5)
10. Facts (3.5/5)
11. Praise God (Ft. JID) (4.5/5)
12. Money Ain’t A Thing (Ft. Lil Durk) (2.5/5)
13. Goals (Ft. Jeremih) (3.5/5)
14. Other Side (4.5/5)
15. Fake Friends (Ft. Bryson Tiller) (4/5)
16. Where We Came From (3.5/5)
17. Made It In USA (4/5)
18. Millionaire Row (Ft. Rick Ross & Meek Mill) (3.5/5)
19. Ride The Wave (3/5)
20. Back In Style (Interlude) (3/5)
21. Documentary (Ft. Mikky Ekko) (3.5/5)
OVERALL RATING
(C)
French Montana seems to be in a state of contentment, viewing his current position in the music industry as playing with house money. With over 15 years in the game, he expresses satisfaction in collaborating with his desired artists and earning significant accolades. In Mac & Cheese 5, French asserts that if recognition isn’t forthcoming from others, he’s more than willing to applaud his own achievements.
When diving into a French Montana album, the features often steal the spotlight. However, in Mac & Cheese 5, they somewhat disappoint. Kanye’s contributions on “Where They At” and “Stand United” are sparse and erratic, while SAINt JHN feels out of place. Lil Baby’s verse in “Okay” is annoying, Lil Durk’s contribution fails to leave an impression, and Rick Ross and Lil Wayne’s appearances feel repetitive. Among the standout features are Westside Gunn, Bryson Tiller, and JID, who inject freshness into the tracks.
The production on this album is a mixed bag. While some tracks suffer from low audio quality and outdated beats, others shine with dramatic instrumentation that complements French’s style well. Overall, I didn’t leave disappointed or impressed with this aspect of the album.
French Montana’s performance on this album was mixed. He delivered strong verses with steady flows and clever punchlines at times, showcasing his rap skills. However, his attempts at singing didn’t quite hit the mark, and there were moments where he seemed out of place due to mismatched beats. Nevertheless, his reflections on the recognition he deserves and his contributions to the game added an intriguing layer to his presence on the album.
It’s unlikely that French Montana will ever receive the recognition he deserves. If I were to guess why, it’s because his appearance and persona seem to miss the mark with many listeners. However, when French eventually retires from music, albums like Mac & Cheese 5 may be revisited, prompting people to acknowledge his unique contribution to the game, even if they can’t quite pinpoint what it is.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
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