French Montana – Wave Gods (Mixtape Review)

French Montana proves once again that while he may not be the sharpest lyricist in the game, he knows exactly how to sell you on a project.


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TOP 5

5. Off The Rip (Ft. Chinx & A$AP Rocky)

Man, French and Chinx’s chemistry was outstanding.

“Off the Rip,” the original version, is hip-hop gold. It carries that same magic as “Shot Caller,” but with a little more bounce to it. I’d easily give that version a 5/5. However, this updated version featuring A$AP Rocky sounds a bit choppy in comparison.

The chorus is genius, as French Montana lets his guy Chinx shine in quick, impactful spurts. You never get long doses of French on this one — which is usually a good thing.

A$AP doesn’t necessarily add much to the song, but it’s still refreshing to hear him on the track. His presence gives you a taste of what it sounds like when a talented MC jumps on a fire beat like this (Yeah, I unfortunately took it there).

4. Miley Cyrus (Ft. Future)

Can we all agree that the singing on this track is God-awful?

I kinda wish they gave this track a different title because it’s actually more intricate than it sounds. Usually, when rappers name a song after a white girl, they repeat the name nonstop throughout the hook—but this one avoids that cliché completely.

Future and French Montana go back and forth here, singing their hearts out in their own unique ways—Future sounds like he’s straining through the pain, while French delivers his parts like he’s halfway through a massive sandwich.

Let’s be real though—the real star of this track is the beat. It’s riveting, rides with a simple but infectious bounce, and perfectly captures that gritty, street-certified energy.

3. Man Of My City (Ft. Big Sean & Travis Scott)

If you’re a fan of “Days Before Rodeo,” this track will strike a chord with you.

Though a bit chaotic at times, this track hits hard and leaves an impression. Metro Boomin delivers a stomp-heavy instrumental that immediately grabs your attention, giving the song an undeniable energy. Travis Scott and K CAMP anchor the chorus, with Travis sounding like a trap poltergeist and K CAMP bringing a sly, effortlessly cool vibe.

French Montana slides through with a carefree, autotuned melodic flow, hitting moments of punchy intensity, while Big Sean balances the track with his confident, punchline-packed introspection. Their contrasting styles surprisingly mesh over the beat, creating a dynamic interplay that keeps the listener engaged.

Despite the messiness, the song manages to highlight each artist’s strengths, giving everyone space to shine while maintaining a cohesive overall feel.

2. Figure It Out (Ft. Kanye West and Nas)

French Montana definitely doesn’t belong on this track, even thought it’s his.

Of course, a track featuring legends Nas and Kanye West is bound to be one of the top highlights on this mixtape. Beyond the star power, the song’s structure is impressive—the beat has multiple layers, and the recurring sample throughout the chorus is pure genius.

Hearing Nas on a project like this is undeniably exciting—his presence instantly elevates the track. That said, if I were advising his PR team, I’d push back on him appearing on a mixtape from French Montana. A full studio album makes sense, but a mixtape? Hell no.

At the end of the day, the track works musically; even though it’s a bit unorganized.

1. Lockjaw (Ft. Kodak Black)

Surprisingly, “Lockjaw” is the highest quality track on this project.

“Lockjaw” is pure definition of trill. The track opens with a gritty yet melodic beat that could make any rapper hesitate—how do you even approach something this hard? French Montana and Kodak Black don’t hesitate for a second, diving in with raw, unapologetic verses. Their bars touch on everything from dodging snipers to stacking serious wealth.

What really stands out is the chemistry between Kodak Black and French Montana. The way they bounce off each other feels electric, like they’re challenging one another to go harder, push further, and embrace the savage energy this track demands.


SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. Wave Gods (Intro) (Ft. Chris Brown) (3/5)

2. Miley Cyrus (Ft. Future) (3.5/5)

3. Sanctuary (3.5/5)

4. Figure It Out (Ft. Nas & Kanye West) (4/5)

5. Man Of My City (Ft. Big Sean & Travis Scott) (4/5)

6. Drop (Interlude) (N/A)

7. Holy Moly (3/5)

8. Groupie Luv (Ft. Quavo) (3.5/5)

9. Jackson 5 (Ft. Belly) (3.5/5)

10. Lockjaw (Ft. Kodak Black) (4.5/5)

11. Puff Interlude (N/A)

12. Old Man Wildin (Ft. Jadakiss & Puff Daddy) (4/5)

13. All Over (Ft. Chinx) (3/5)

14. Off The Rip (Remix) (Ft. Chinx & A$AP Rocky) (4/5)


RGM RATING

(72%)

I mean this with complete respect — French Montana might be hip-hop’s greatest car salesman. He may not have the lyrical chops to be taken all that seriously, but he knows exactly how to sell you on his brand of music every single time. With Wave Gods, a project that pays homage to his incarcerated friend Max B, French delivers something packed with big-name features, gritty street talk, off-key melodies, and a variety of rap styles that keep things unpredictable.

Sure, his lack of polish can make some tracks feel scattered or strange, but that’s part of the charm. French Montana might not be the most skilled rapper, but he’s an expert in creating moments — and whether you love it or not, Wave Gods is undeniably entertaining from start to finish.



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