The number of rappers fatally shot or stabbed last year was unprecedented, and the trend has only continued in 2022. According to French Montana, the rising death toll has prompted record labels to take out life insurance policies on their artists.
Speaking to the Off The Record podcast, Montana speculated the labels were anticipating a big pay day if their artist gets murdered.
“We was beefing for real,” he says in the clip.” People was dying and this and that, and it was blocking a lot of money. People didn’t want to touch you. Your rap friends stop picking up, the labels stop picking up. It gets crazy. But now it’s even crazier, they gettin’ life insurance on artist. At least back then, we didn’t have that. You’re praying on his death. You’re praying on making millions on his death.”
When asked if they were actually being “realistic,” Montana replies, “Both. They’re being realistic. You’re supposed to have life insurance anyway, but when the label does it, if you don’t have one that’s crazy.”
At least 20 notable rappers were fatally shot in 2021; some hometown heroes, others nationally celebrated artists. Young Dolph was gunned down in his hometown of Memphis last November as he went to pick up baked goods for his mother at Madeka’s Homemade Cookies.
Drakeo The Ruler was stabbed to death backstage at the Once Upon A Time In L.A. music festival right before Christmas, while YG affiliate Slim 400 was shot and killed in Los Angeles just days prior.
Remembering Those We Lost In 2021
Other high profile murders include Nipsey Hussle, who was shot and killed outside of his own clothing store in 2019. His killer, Eric Holder, was finally convicted on first-degree murder charges earlier this month.
Holder was also convicted on two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter and assault for shooting and wounding two other men at the scene. Holder is potentially facing life behind bars, but he could be eligible for parole under a new state provision. Sentencing takes place on September 15.
Are the labels behind some of the shootings ?
Best question for the comments
French Montana isn’t worth enough for the insurance company to really warranty any money or a hit put on him…if anything the labels probably pay him not to say “Haaannn” on every track and promise not to release projects so much so they don’t have to be tormented by his voice as much.
I mean a guy who was in his early 20s when he started, it wouldn’t be much every month. I’d say $20 tops for a term life insurance plan, which is what they’d have.
Any smart company is going to insure high-risk assets. The question shouldn’t be, “why do they do this,” it should be, “why do they have to do this?”
He has nothing to worry about cause he sucks anyway
Not really sinister. That’s business. Anyone you’re in business with, you should have life insurance policy on them. These rappers ought to think about who they’re working for though who holds the policy.
YEAH I’M COMPELLED TO AGREE. WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THE LABELS CAN LOSE WITH THE RECKLESS LIFESTYLES THEY LIVE, THEY ARE BOTH AN ASSET THAT NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED (FINANCIALLY) TO AVOID BEING
A COMPLETE LIABILITY.
Unless it’s Bad Boy Records, cuz you own all the master, publishing, and copyrights so you can make money of them for years after they’re dead making much more money than they were alive.
Mofo ain’t even French; lying bastard…
morocco has a large french population. stupid retaaaard
I’m aware of that, but he’s Moroccan…