For years, French Montana has occupied a distinct niche in Hip Hop, often pigeonholed as a one-dimensional hitmaker. While his early career hinted at a more lyrical edge—thanks to his SMACK DVD freestyles and gritty mixtape series—his mainstream rise via XXL’s 2012 Freshmen list and anthems like “Shot Caller” and “Pop That” saw him leaning heavily into a commercial, party-focused sound. With Mac & Cheese 5, however, French is intent on shattering that typecast and proving his depth as an artist. The fifth installment of the Mac & Cheese mixtape series marks a return to French’s roots. Since the series began in 2009, these projects have historically showcased a more potent, lyrically driven side of the South Bronx rapper. However, after signing with Bad Boy and MMG in 2012, French’s priorities shifted to cultivating his mainstream appeal—a move that brought chart-topping success but left longtime fans yearning for the raw, authentic Coke Boy essence.
On Mac & Cheese 5, French delivers exactly what those fans have been waiting for. The first half of the project is a refreshing return to soul-sampled boom bap beats, with French rapping as if his BX rent is on the line. The opening track, “Dirty Bronx Intro,” finds him addressing doubters with fiery bars, reasserting his authenticity and relevance in the game. Tracks like “Stand United,” featuring Kanye West, Buju Banton, and Saint JHN, channel a nostalgic Gang Starr energy, while “Splash Brothers” delivers some of the mixtape’s most quotable lines. A standout moment comes with the bar, “Devil on my heels like I’m Lil Nas X,” a clever nod that feels tailor-made for a URL “Don Demarcooo” drop.
That said, French doesn’t entirely abandon his hit-making tendencies. Tracks like “Millionaire Row” with Rick Ross and Meek Mill, and “Okay” featuring Lil Baby, stick to the familiar formula of radio-ready, Auto-Tune-heavy bangers. However, there’s a noticeable effort to balance these with more thoughtfully crafted records. “Money Ain’t a Thing,” featuring Lil Durk, is a smooth, summery anthem with crossover potential, while “Fake Friends” with Bryson Tiller blends trap and soul for a late-night drive vibe that’s easy on the ears. Mac & Cheese 5 doesn’t reinvent French Montana, and his signature “Haaaaan” ad-libs remain ever-present. But the mixtape is undeniably one of his strongest projects in years, showcasing both his lyrical chops and his ability to craft infectious hooks. Whether motivated by fatigue from chasing hits or a genuine desire to reconnect with his Bronx roots, French is positioning himself for a promising second act in his career.