S. Samuel
Bad Boy Records' French Montana recently discussed who he looks to for inspiration and what ultimately pushes him to make it big in the music industry.
According to Montana, incarcerated associate Max B is a key source of motivation.
He remembers that his life could have ended up very differently. “My best friend (rapper Max B) is serving 75 years in prison,” he says. “Only one of us made it. I think about all this when I make music, of all the sacrifices made. Nothing is just going to come to you, you have to make it happen.” He also survived a gunshot wound to the head, a shooting that occurred en route to a Bronx studio. “I try not to bring that memory back. I’m glad I made it through that time, but, yeah, that experience was part of the album.” (USA Today)
Last fall, Young Money’s Gudda Gudda spoke on his admiration for Max and wanting to see him get released from jail.
He also wants to support “the wave” and sign the petition. “The Wave…first of all I’m a mixtape head I listen to everyone, if you’re just the smallest cat or the biggest artist I like to check out everybody music I like to see what everybody got. ‘When I first heard Max B it was a wrap. I was a fan, downloading all his s**t watching all his videos. I definitely support Max B. Free Max B, sign that petition. I tweeted the petition out, hopefully he will come home.” (AHH)
In late September, the former Dipset affiliate said he hoped to beat the system and win back his freedom.
“It’s been a little minute since I hollered at the people, I’m here, I’m still functioning,” Max said in an interview with Statik Selektah. “Everything’s good. I’ll be out soon. Y’all just hold on. It’s taking a little longer than expected but I mean, you know, I’ll be ready soon, just stick with me. I’m still dropping that wavy, PardonTheWave.com, one day at a time. The beginning of my joint got deferred, they denied me, but I’m about to go [back]. I’ve got another fight in me, I’ve got plenty more in me. I’ll keep y’all posted, I don’t really want to get into that but it is what it is. Like I say, one day at a time.” (ShowOff Radio)
Last summer, reports of Max’s denied appeal hit the Internet.
An appeals court on Thursday upheld the murder conviction of a once rising Harlem rapper who is serving a 75-year term for masterminding a deadly robbery at a Fort Lee hotel six years ago. Wingate and Leerdam appealed their conviction, alleging trial errors and prosecutorial missteps. An appeals panel, however, upheld their convictions in a detailed 52-page opinion on Thursday. (North Jersey)
