The streets are talking: French Montana is one of the hottest rappers in the game right now. And what the streets want, the streets shall get.

The Bronx representing rapper waded through a fierce bidding war when several labels began taking interest. Among these, were Def Jam, Warner Bros. and Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music. Yet, when all was said and done, Montana came afloat announcing that he was ready to ride the wave with hip hop impresario Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy Records (via Interscope Records).

Born Karim Kharbouch in Casablanca, Morocco, Montana immigrated to New York City with his family at age 13. His parents, seeking greater opportunity than what they could find in their native land, settled in The Bronx. While fluent in French and Arabic, Montana spoke only a small bit of English. However, he quickly became acclimated to Bronx culture, partly through his infatuation for hip-hop; an obsession which would later become his profession.

His decade long journey to the top has not come without its own set of trials and tribulations—the greatest of these, a late night shooting of which Montana fell victim. All of his struggle, as well as success, will no doubt come to light on his debut album, Excuse My French, which is due out this year.