Max B & French: Killer Waves, Endless Tide

It’s too bad Max B is ruffling feathers with other legends in the lead-up to this album. Because, in my opinion, this project contains some of the best music he’s dropped since getting out of prison. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people are going to skip it or hate on it based more on personal feelings and beef than on the actual music. Or maybe I’m crazy—totally possible, ha.

That said, the project isn’t flawless. There are several tracks I’m not as high on, which is unusual for the lane that French Montana typically thrives in. Some of the more mainstream-aimed songs didn’t click for me, like “Toastee,” “Just A Lil Bit,” and “Bet It All.” I have nothing against mainstream sounds when they work, but these just didn’t land. Still, if you’re French and Max B, you’ve got to take those swings—sometimes they turn into home runs. Tracks like “Break You Off” and “Buss A Move” prove the point; they’re in the same vein but executed much better.

My other main issue—one I’ve mentioned with recent projects from these artists, both together and solo—is that it’s simply too long. Clocking in at over an hour with 26 tracks is a lot to digest. I understand the strategy behind it: feeding the algorithm, chasing streams, and using a scatter-shot approach to let the best songs rise to the top. Even so, I wish they’d space this material out across a few tighter mixtapes instead of dropping 20+ hit-or-miss tracks every few months.

With all that said, this album still contains some of the duo’s strongest work in recent years, and I mean that. “Smoking Pt. 2,” “Grimey,” and “Fiasco” kick things off with real energy and confidence. Max B and French Montana are trading some of the best flows and rhyme schemes I’ve heard from them since Max came home. Similar to Coke Wave 3.5, they lean on familiar, well-chosen samples that elevate the tracks and give them that nostalgic yet fresh feel—especially on songs like “Smoking Pt. 2,” “Fiasco,” “Go Ladies,” and “Motion.” I don’t mind the sample usage at all. For one, these projects genuinely feel like mixtapes (which I’d argue they are), and two, the songs simply work.

I know both French Montana and Max B love making long, loaded projects, and I respect the ambition. But trimming just a bit—in the right places—would make the overall quality and impact even stronger. There are some genuine gems here. If you’re a fan of either artist, it’s definitely worth a listen so you can pull out your personal favorites.

Standout Tracks: Smoking pt. 2, Fiasco, Made It Out & We Gettin Money

Album rating: 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑(7.5/10)