Moroccan-US rapper French Montana joined the short list of songs to have gone Diamond with his hit Unforgettable featuring Swae Lee. The song was certified by the RIAA on Thursday August 8 for selling 10 million units in the United States.
Released on April 7, 2017, Unforgettable was previously certified 9x Multi-Platinum | April 8, 2021, 8x Multi-Platinum | April 16, 2020, 7x Multi-Platinum | September 17, 2019, 6x Multi-Platinum | September 28, 2018, 5x Multi-Platinum | January 31, 2018, 4x Multi-Platinum | November 14, 2017, 3x Multi-Platinum | September 8, 2017, 2x Multi-Platinum | August 9, 2017, Platinum | June 20, 2017, and Gold | May 26, 2017.
The music video which was shot in Uganda has now surpassed 1.4 billion streams on YouTube and featured the Ugandan youth dance troupe Triplets Ghetto Kids. “Most of the them live in the States now,” according to Montana.
“Heathens” by Twenty One Pilots is the last song to receive the exceptional award.
To celebrate his rare accomplishment, the Coke Boys artist hosted friends and associates at his home on Wednesday night for an intimate dinner and plaque presentation with members of his record label.
In attendance was Epic Records chair and CEO Sylvia Rhone, XO Records co-founder and CEO Sal Slaiby, SALXCO VP of A&R Rahsaan “Shake” Phelps and producer C.P Dubb.
Global Citizen partnered with French to visit the rural health clinic Suubi Health Centre as they paired a social cause with the single’s release raising over $500,000.
“It was an amazing experience to be a part of,” said Rhone of “Unforgettable.” “This doesn’t happen every day. This only happens when you have a special song. It’s a big achievement.”
“He had the vision for this record from even the demo,” added Slaiby.
French noted that the diamond plaque is also a big win for his home country Morocco, where he moved from to the US at age 13.
“Unforgettable” was the lead single from “Jungle Rules,” released by Epic Records/Bad Boy Entertainment in July 2017.
Most recently, French Montana released the mixtape, “Montega,” with producer Harry Fraud which featured a credited but uncleared sample of Jamaican singer Everton Blender’s Higher, produced by Tony Rebel.
World Music Views reported that the Rebel Salute director Tony Rebel was not aware of the sample, even though it was released on his Flames Record label. Upon hearing Montana and Fraud’s sample of “Higher” with Blender’s voice echoing and the distinctive horns, he initially responded in shock by saying, “me a send it to my lawyer dem a New York right now.” He then contemplated, “I wonder if somebody clear it, who would be the one to clear it?”
The Nazarite Vow artist says he will be pursuing legal action to seek recompense for the unauthorized use of the song.
Meanwhile French Montana is set to launch a new joint venture, NAQI Healthcare, in partnership with Guardian Recovery Network, which “aims to expand access to addiction treatment for privacy-sensitive clients through in-home and private accommodation detoxification services for clients in Florida, New York, Texas, and California.” The org plans to expand access to clients across the country and is donating 10% of all profit to MusiCares, the Recording Academy-affiliated charity that provides resources to music people in times of need. Per Variety.
Other diamond-certified songs include “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber, “Firework” by Katy Perry, “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran and Epic’s own “Sicko Mode” by Travis Scott featuring Drake as well as “Havana” by Camila Cabello and “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor.
