French Montana Signs To Bad Boy Entertainment/Epic Records And Releases A New Track And Video Today: "Figure It Out" Featuring Kanye West And Nas

NEW YORK, May 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Worldwide platinum-selling hip-hop icon and Coke Boys music founder French Montana, one of the most prolific and instantly recognizable players in the game today – with nearly 300 lead and feature appearances on singles, album and mixtape tracks and videos – has officially signed to the roster of the new Bad Boy Entertainment/Epic Records partnership, it was jointly announced by Bad Boy founder Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Epic Chairman and CEO LA Reid.

Montana makes his Bad Boy/Epic debut today in grand style with the release of a new song and video, "Figure It Out" featuring Kanye West and Nas. http://smarturl.it/FigureItOutVid

"Figure It Out" was first introduced in February on Wave Gods, Montana's newest Coke Boys mixtape, but today's Bad Boy/Epic release marks the first time it will be made available for purchase and for streaming.

"Anyone who has paid attention to the course of hip-hop over the past decade has found French Montana consistently at the eye of the storm," said Mr. Reid.  "He has funneled his North African roots and Bronx upbringing into a unique presence on hundreds of tracks by artists across the musical spectrum.  French has now become one of hip-hop's core artists himself, and I'm happy to welcome him to the Epic family."

"French Montana is a proven Hit Maker," said Sean "Diddy" Combs.  "When I first heard him, I knew he had that special Bad Boy sound and I believed in his potential. He was on the fast track then, and now, to see how far he's come, he's a major force in Hip-Hop and a key member of the Bad Boy Family. Bad Boy is known for creating the biggest acts in hip-hop - and French is not only a part of our legacy but now also a part of our new chapter at Epic Records."

"French Montana has accomplished more in the past few years than most artists are able to achieve in their entire career," said Harve Pierre, President of Bad Boy Entertainment. "When first bringing French to the company, I knew that he would become a tremendous asset and bring overall value to the brand. As a member of the Bad Boy family, he has already put his mark on some of the hottest music around, and has shown the world the future of hip-hop."

"Love the respect and appreciation that LA Reid and his team have for music. I think it's rare to find that in the industry today," said French Montana. "Being able to start this chapter at Epic with my Bad Boy family is a blessing. Puff and Harve have been like big brothers to me and there's nothing better than making music with the people you love." 

The video for "Figure It Out" was directed by the renowned Eif Rivera, who has worked with Montana on numerous projects including clips for some of his biggest tracks (among them "Freaks" featuring Nicki Minaj, and "Bad Bitch" featuring Jeremih), as well as collaborations with Jeremih ("Don't Tell Em Remix"), Quincy ("Friends First"), the Neighborhood ("#ICantEven"), Joe Budden ("NBA"), and many others.

Video: http://smarturl.it/FigureItOutVid 
iTunes: http://smarturl.it/FigureItOut 
Spotify: http://smarturl.it/FigureItOut_Spfy 
Apple Music: http://smarturl.it/FigureItOut_Apple 
Google Play: http://smarturl.it/FigureItOut_GP 
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/FigureItOut_Dig

ABOUT FRENCH MONTANA  -- One of the most important figures in the world of hip-hop and beyond, French Montana was born in Morocco, and at age 13 emigrated to the Bronx with his family. Fluent in French and Arabic at the time, and speaking only a little English, hip-hop became a catalyst for him to learn the language of his new homeland.  Living in the Boogie Down Bronx mecca of hip-hop, he quickly embraced the culture and became enthralled with it.  It was during his adolescent years that he made the switch from spectator to player in the rap game.

After releasing mixtapes and street DVDs for nearly a decade, French Montana crossed the rubicon from indie threat to Top 20 chart maker in 2011, when "Shot Caller" emerged as a hit single from his Mister 16: Casino Life mixtape. As coast-to-coast airplay exploded, and he was recognized as the next big thing from New York City, a swift bidding war for Montana's signature ensued between record labels.  In 2012, it was announced that he would ride the wave with Bad Boy Entertainment (then via InterscopeGeffenA&M), known ever since its creation by Sean "Diddy" Combs in 1993, for igniting the careers of bubbling street artists and transforming them into hip-hop game changers.

Montana's debut album Excuse My French was released May 2013 via Bad Boy Entertainment and Maybach Music Group. Executive produced by Bad Boy's Sean "Diddy" Combs, Maybach's Rick Ross, and Co-Executive Produced by Harve Pierre. The record was mainly produced by longtime collaborator Harry Fraud, and was named one of the "most anticipated albums" of the year by Complex. Guest appearances by Max B, Drake, Rick Ross, Diddy, and of course Montana's Coke Boys crew (Chinx Drugz, Charlie Rock, Cheeze and Flip) added to the album's impact among fans.  Excuse My French spun off a trio of solid chart hits: the RIAA platinum "Pop That" featuring Rick Ross, Drake, and Lil Wayne; "Freaks" featuring Nicki Minaj; and "Ain't Worried About Nothin.'"

Since 2013, Montana has become one of the busiest MCs in the world.  He has collaborated with everyone from Jay-Z and Kanye West, to Nas and Jennifer Lopez (to name a few), and has been featured on nearly two dozen singles with collaborators ranging from Rick Ross and Drake ("Stay Schemin'") to Akon, Fat Joe, A$AP Ferg, Joe Budden, Daddy Yankee, Fabolous, will.i.am, Chris Brown, DJ Khaled, Omarion, and others.  One source identified more than 160 guest appearances by Montana on other artists' albums and mixtapes between 2010-2015.  French Montana's secret to success in the rap game?  "I just pay attention to what people say," he suggests.  "The people chose me. You can't come out and say you hot. The people gotta choose you."  And time and time again, the people have chosen French Montana.   French is also an ambassador for CÎROC™ Ultra-Premium Vodka.

WWW.FRENCHMONTANAMUSIC.COM

FOLLOW FRENCH MONTANA:
Twitter: @FrencHMonTanA 
Instagram: @FrencHMonTanA 
Snapchat: @FrenchMontana 
Facebook: @FrenchMontanaOfficial

ABOUT BAD BOY ENTERTAINMENT Bad Boy Entertainment is the award-winning, globally celebrated music, media and entertainment company founded by Sean "Diddy" Combs. Bad Boy was a pioneer in hip hop and, for more than 20 years, has been one of the music industry's premier production, distribution, publicity, promotions and marketing companies. Bad Boy helped to launch the careers of Hip-Hop and R&B heavyweights like Puff Daddy, Notorious B.I.G., Craig Mack, Ma$e, Faith Evans, 112, Mario Winans, Dream, Black Rob, The Lox, New Edition, Danity Kane, Carl Thomas, Yung Joc, Total, Cassie and dozens of others.  Today, Bad Boy has an exclusive joint venture label partnership with Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, artist includes record deals with Puff Daddy, French Montana and King Combs. Other current Bad Boy artists such as Cassie and MGK remain at Interscope under the Bad Boy Imprint.  And the Bad Boy catalog, together with Bad Boy/Atlantic artist Janelle Monae, stay with Warner Music Group as per the prior venture agreement between The WMG and Bad Boy.  Parts of the Bad Boy catalog are also administered through Rhino.

Press Contact:
Renata Muniz
Epic Records, Sr. Director of Publicity
212-833-7945
[email protected]

Laura Swanson
Epic Records, EVP of Media and Strategic Development
310-272-2460
[email protected]

SOURCE Epic Records