French Montana is a U.S.-based rapper who was originally from Morocco but moved to the Bronx, New York at an early stage of his life. He quickly became involved in the hiphop space where he started to create well-known music that influenced both his experiences in New York and back in Africa. To focus on his African influences, French Montana directed a music video and was featured in it as well where he primarily focused on the culture and experiences back in Africa. The music video is called “Wish You Well” which also included Swae Lee, Lojay, and Jess Glynee. The video starts of showing some of the cultural traditions that they participate in such as different aspects of dancing and cooking of food outside. They also wear garments representing North African culture with bright vibrant colors and long cloths with distinct designs. Meanwhile, Their aspect of dancing is usually performed in a group with lively and sharp movements, which they usually perform in unity. Also, French Montana shows his roots by actually participating in some cultural aspects of his home country in Africa. For example, in many regions in Africa, boats and types of watercraft are commonly used for short-distance travel along bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, or other waterways. In the video, French Montana is filmed using a boat to travel along a waterway, and I feel that this imagery was used to reflect on French Montana’s African roots or descent.
Meanwhile, the lyrics French Montana presents reflect on the lifestyle he lives now that he has worked to get where he wants to be in life, and by showing the imagery and hardships of Africa at the same time, it shows the hardships he may have gone through but he has successfully fought through the storm and expanded his lifestyle. Below is the linked music video where you can listen for yourself and catch the imagery I have described.
