French Montana: Biography, Relationships, and Sobriety

Few rappers wear their origin story as openly as French Montana. Born Karim Kharbouch in Casablanca and raised in the South Bronx, he turned a mixtape buzz into a platinum plaque with “Unforgettable” — and along the way, his relationship with Khloé Kardashian kept tabloids busy, cutting through the rumor mill to map his Moroccan-American identity, music career, and the sobriety journey he’s been public about since 2018.

Full name: Karim Kharbouch ·
Date of birth: November 9, 1984 ·
Nationality: Moroccan and American ·
Breakthrough mixtape: Mac & Cheese (2011) ·
Notable collaboration: “Unforgettable” with Swae Lee ·
Known relationship: Khloé Kardashian (2013-2014)

Five key identifiers frame the official public record on French Montana. One pattern: every fact is either a geographic or biographical anchor that separates verified history from gossip.

Why did Khloe and French Montana split?

What was the timeline of their relationship?

• The pair began dating in 2013 and reportedly split in September 2014 after about eight months together (Los Angeles Times).
• French Montana later said in a 2014 interview that he was “fully divorced” from the relationship and that they talked “every day” (Sway’s Universe interview).
• Sources at the time gave conflicting accounts: one described them as “done for good,” another said they were “on a break” (Los Angeles Times).

Did French Montana and Khloé stay friends after breaking up?

• In 2016, French told Us Weekly they were “great friends.”
• People magazine reported in 2019 that he said, “We are always going to be friends” (People report).
• Khloé admitted on “Kourtney & Khloé Take the Hamptons” that she rushed into the relationship because she was “lonely and destructive” (Us Weekly).

The pattern: conflicting narratives at the time reflect the difficulty of verifying celebrity breakups.

Is French Montana in a relationship?

Who is French Montana dating now?

• As of 2025, his romantic status is not publicly confirmed (People report).
• He has been linked to several women since Khloé, but no long-term partner has been identified.

What is his connection to Sheikha Mahra?

• In 2023, rumors surfaced linking him to Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. No official confirmation or detailed reporting has emerged.

The implication: French Montana keeps his private life increasingly off the record, making it difficult to verify any current relationship.

What is French Montana’s religion and ethnicity?

Is French Montana black or Arabic?

• He was born in Casablanca, Morocco, to a Muslim family and identifies as Moroccan and American (Los Angeles Times).
• He is North African (Amazigh/Arab heritage) and often described as “Moroccan-American” in media.

Does French Montana speak Arabic?

• He has conversational Arabic from his upbringing and occasionally uses Arabic phrases in songs, though he raps primarily in English.

Does French Montana practice Islam?

• He has stated that he respects Islam but is not strictly religious.

The implication: French Montana’s identity is more cultural than religious, allowing him to connect with diverse audiences.

Why is French Montana so famous?

What was French Montana’s breakout moment?

• His 2011 mixtape “Mac & Cheese” built major label interest (Platinumlist biography).
• He signed with Bad Boy Records and released his debut album “Excuse My French” in 2013.

What are French Montana’s biggest hits?

• “Unforgettable” featuring Swae Lee (2017) peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a diamond certification from the RIAA.
• Other major singles include “Pop That” (2012) and “No Stylist” (2018).

How many platinum records does French Montana have?

• He has multiple platinum certifications from the RIAA, including “Unforgettable” (diamond), “Pop That” (2× platinum), and “No Stylist” (platinum).

What this means: his commercial success is built on a few key hits, but his influence extends beyond charts.

Is French Montana still sober?

How long has French Montana been sober?

• He has publicly stated he has been sober since around 2018 (Sway’s Universe interview).
• He shared his recovery journey in a 2018 interview with The Breakfast Club.

What substance abuse issues did French Montana face?

• He was open about his past addiction to lean (codeine-based cough syrup) and other drugs.
• His sobriety milestone is often cited in hip-hop media as part of a broader wellness shift in the industry.

The takeaway: his sobriety story adds a layer of credibility in a genre often criticized for substance abuse.

Read more: John Frusciante: Health, Sobriety & Return to RHCP and Fetty Wap: What Happened?

Timeline: French Montana’s life in milestones

• 1984 – Born Karim Kharbouch in Casablanca, Morocco (Platinumlist biography).
• 1998 – Immigrated to the United States, settling in the South Bronx.
• 2011 – Released breakout mixtape Mac & Cheese.
• 2013 – Began dating Khloé Kardashian.
• 2014 – Split from Khloé Kardashian.
• 2017 – Released “Unforgettable,” which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• 2018 – Publicly stated he is sober.
• 2023 – Rumored relationship with Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The pattern: his life is a series of well-documented milestones, with gaps in personal details.

What we know — and what we don’t

Confirmed facts

• Birth name Karim Kharbouch (Los Angeles Times)
• Moroccan-American (Los Angeles Times)
• Dated Khloé Kardashian 2013–2014 (Los Angeles Times)
• Sober since at least 2018 (Sway’s Universe interview)

What’s unclear

• Current romantic relationship status
• Exact nature of connection with Sheikha Mahra
• Level of active religious practice
• Platinum-selling rapper (RIAA certifications) – no specific source
• Exact net worth (estimated $5–10 million)

The catch: even confirmed facts leave room for interpretation when the subject is a public figure.

Quotes: French Montana and Khloé Kardashian in their own words

“We are always going to be friends.”

— French Montana, speaking on his relationship with Khloé Kardashian (People report, 2019)

“Me and Khloé had a special relationship. We talk every day.”

— French Montana (Sway’s Universe interview, 2014)

“I rushed into it because I was lonely and destructive.”

— Khloé Kardashian, reflecting on the relationship on “Kourtney & Khloé Take the Hamptons” (Us Weekly)

For readers following French Montana’s journey from Casablanca to global stardom, the clearest takeaway is his deliberate separation of public persona and private life. The music career is well-documented; the personal narrative — relationships, religion, sobriety — remains a story he chooses to tell in pieces. The trade-off for fans is clear: enjoy the hits, or wait for the next interview that might add a new chapter.

Frequently asked questions