French Montana is showing his generosity to the people of Makoko, a community in Nigeria that lives on the water. The rapper, 38, has donated 500 canoes to the residents who face the challenges of flooding and poor sanitation.
The donation was made possible with the help of his collaborator Swae Lee of the hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd, as well as media company gamma. and management SALXCO.
French Montana visited Makoko last month to film a music video for his single “Wish U Well” with Swae Lee. He was impressed by the culture and resilience of the Makoko people, who live in structures built on stilts off the coast of Lagos.
The rapper said he wanted to give back to the community that welcomed him and inspired him. “I witnessed firsthand how water is both a lifeline and an obstacle in Makoko. These boats are essential tools transporting the residents of Makoko and goods and services,” he said in a press release.
“As an immigrant from Morocco, giving back to communities in Africa, the place that raised me is so important. When I was filming, I met local leaders who talked about the daily struggles and aspirations of the wider community. I was moved by their spirit and positivity, which inspired me to get involved and to help impact change.”
The music video for “Wish U Well” was released last week and showcased the beauty and diversity of Makoko. The song is part of French Montana’s upcoming album, which is expected to drop later this year.
This is not the first time that French Montana has supported African causes. In 2017, he and Swae Lee filmed the music video for their hit song “Unforgettable” in Uganda, where they donated money to build a health center for maternal care. He also became the first-ever rap ambassador for Global Citizen, a movement that aims to end extreme poverty by 2030.
Check out the video here.
