CB5

Six years after the series last installment, French Montana revived his long-running mixtape saga with Coke Boys 5. As with most of the Moroccan-American rappers efforts, the guest list on CB5 is vast and impressive, offering a thrilling, collaborative energy to the mix. Dipsets Jim Jones elevates the melodic highlight Too Late, while Lil Durk hypnotizes on the atmospheric, Travis Scott-esque Brothers. Later, Durk returns, joining 2020s hot up-and-comer Jack Harlow on Hot Boy Bling. Elsewhere, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Benny the Butcher, A$AP Rocky, and the late Pop Smoke join the mix, boosting Frenchs verses with their own signature styles. On the rare solo track, French holds it down with the help of producer Tay Keith on catchy standouts such as FTMU and the G-funk revival Who Dat. Although slightly bloated at nearly 20 tracks (24 on the deluxe edition), Coke Boys 5 serves as an extended treat for Frenchs fans and a nice batch of tracks for less-dedicated listeners to pick through. ~ Neil Z. Yeung