French Montana Makes History as First African-Born Artist to Earn RIAA Diamond Certification
In a landmark achievement for hip-hop and global music, Moroccan-American rapper French Montana has entered the record books by becoming the first African-born artist to receive an RIAA Diamond certification, the Recording Industry Association of America’s highest honor.
The Diamond certification is awarded for a track surpassing 10 million equivalent units sold and streamed. The historic plaque was awarded for his massive 2017 breakout hit, “Unforgettable,” featuring Swae Lee. The song’s vibrant, culturally significant music video, filmed in Kampala, Uganda, and featuring the Triplets Ghetto Kids dance troupe, became a global phenomenon and propelled the track to this unprecedented milestone.
This achievement carries a double significance, as it also crowns French Montana as the first male artist from the South Bronx—the very birthplace of hip-hop—to ever reach this commercial pinnacle.
“This is bigger than me,” the artist, born Karim Kharbouch in Morocco, stated in a press release. “It’s for every kid from the Bronx and every dreamer from Africa. It shows that our sound, our stories, can resonate all over the world.”
The Diamond certification for “Unforgettable” caps a career defined by chart dominance. With an estimated net worth of $50 million as of 2025, French Montana has consistently delivered hits, including the anthemic “Pop That” (with Rick Ross, Drake, and Lil Wayne) and “No Stylist.” His collaborations with hip-hop’s biggest heavyweights have cemented his status as a dominant force who seamlessly bridges his cultural roots with immense commercial success and artistic ambition.
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