Rapper French Montana Reflects on Humble Beginnings and American Dream Success

"I would have become a corn seller if I had stayed in my country," Karim Khabouch told the American magazine "Billboard," referring to his modest origins and a history marked by difficult moments.

Leaving with his family for the United States at the age of 13, the native of Casablanca has mixed memories of his beginnings in the artistic world. Not yet mastering the language of Shakespeare, the rapper, who said he was indebted to the country of Uncle Sam, had often been criticized, sometimes ridiculed.

The founder of Coke Boys Music would never have known fame if America had not welcomed him with open arms and supported him to become such a big star, he said. The King of Mixtapes had achieved success in 2010 thanks to his song Choppa Choppa Down.