French Montana: ‘my son could do a better job than Trump’

Speaking exclusively to Esquire Middle East, Karim Kharbouch – who goes by the moniker French Montana – admits that his ten-year-old son Kruz would do a better job as President than Donald Trump.

When asked if he thought his son will have more opportunities than the rapper had growing up, and if his son might someday be president, Montana quipped, “Of course! In fact, he could probably do a better job than the current one is doing right now!”

The Moroccan- born rapper stars on the cover of Esquire Middle East’s Dad Issue, where he opens up about his life, his relationship with his father, and what he wants for his son’s future.

Montana says he is thankful that his son won’t have the difficulties he faced growing up, with regards to ‘the right paperwork’ and the legality of his status in the United States.

“In the US if you don’t have the right paperwork then you can’t get a proper job or a social security number. I didn’t have that, so it was real tough. I had to hustle on the street, knowing that if I ever got caught, I would be deported,” says Montana.

“Every day was like walking a thin line—like a tight-rope between two mountains—knowing that if I got caught then I was out, and it was like that for years. These days, I laugh when I hear people who complain about this and that, as most didn’t have the struggle I had,” the rapper added.

While French Montana’s modern-day persona includes countless musical collaborations and video projects, that wasn’t always the case. His family moved to the United States when he was 17-years-old, and his father left soon after.

According to Montana, that left a lasting impression on him, “I was 17, and my mother didn’t know English—she still don’t know English!—so I had to become the man of the house. At times it was almost like I was married to my mother and my two little brothers became my kids. It made me have to grow up a lot faster.”

“Whenever my father used to call from Africa and he’d ask “how’s your brothers and your mother?” and I used to laugh and say “what, did you forget that you’re the father?”

You can read the entire Esquire Middle East cover feature right here.