French Montana Talks Joe Budden, Being Blackballed Early in his Career :::: #Music

While in NYC on a press run, French Montana stopped by Hot 97, where he discussed everything from Joe Budden to his rise to fame.

First, hosts Ebro asked the rapper about the shots Drake took at Budden on French's new single, "No Shopping", and he maintains there was never any discussion about Joewhen recording the song.

"I don't know what's going on with that whole situation," said French. "It's just, his name never came up when [Drake and I] were in the studio. I think that Joe made it about him.

"I feel like Joe just be in a dark room, just writing bars," he added.

Later, French goes on to explain how he was blackballed early in his career, forcing him and Max B to grind in the streets before finally breaking through. "We was blackballed," he explains. "So Fat Joe, was coming up to Funkmaster Flex like, 'Yo, you have to play Max B and French Montana'. So, he hit the clubs and came back on air with... Before that, we never got no airplay. People was calling, saying don't play these guys."

When he did finally get on, French famously signed with Diddy and Bad Boy, because of Puff's business acumen. "Rap is just a platform for you to do other things. Thats why I [signed with Diddy's Bad Boy Records]," he said.

Mac & Cheese 4 drops Aug. 19.