Rick Ross Takes on French Montana in Next Verzuz: Is It a Fair Matchup?
It was just last month when the viral music "competition" Verzuz came back with a vengeance, pitting longtime collaborators and friends Tyrese and Tank against one another. The occasion was a great night of music and comedy as Tank debuted the now-infamous "Turtleneck" song. Well, fast forward to April 29, and the next Verzuz battle is all set. This time it's between Rick Ross and French Montana, going down on May 7.
For fans of the rappers, they're likely excited to see what kind of show these two will put on. If the Tyrese vs. Tank Verzuz is any indication, anything can happen, and surprise guests can pop out at any time. However, I think it's worth asking, though, is Rick Ross going against French Montana the best matchup? Is it fair?
Rick Ross and French Montana Are Accomplished Artists But…
Rick Ross has been a fixture in hip hop for roughly two decades, dropping his first album, Port of Miami, in 2006. His debut album went number one, and of his 11 solo studio albums, five of them went #1 on the Billboard Chart, and all but one peaked within the top 10. He's cranked out popular songs like "Hustlin," "The Boss," "Here I Am," and "Purple Lamborghini." Additionally, he's been a featured artist on some smash hits, including DJ Khaled's "I'm So Hood" and "All I Do Is Win," and of course, Kanye West's "Monster."
On the other side of this coin, there's French Montana. He's released four studio albums on his own, and one in collaboration with producer Harry Fraud. Of these projects, two of them peaked on the Billboard Chart within the top five. When it comes to hit songs, he's best known for songs like "Unforgettable," "Ain't Worried about Nothin," "No Shopping," and his big chart-topper, "Pop That" (which features Rick Ross). As a featured artist, he's appeared on DJ Khaled's "They Don't Love You No More," Rick Ross' "Stay Schemin'," and Fat Joe and Remy Ma's "All the Way Up."
Again, while both rappers are incredibly accomplished, this battle seems a little unbalanced. Rick Ross has more albums and arguably more hits to draw from. Plus, French Montana at one point was signed to Rick Ross' record label, Maybach Music Group.
That being said, respectfully, perhaps a more balanced Verzuz would have been between Rick Ross and someone like Future or maybe even Wiz Khalifa. Or maybe a battle between French Montana and Waka Flocka or Meek Mill. Just a thought.
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This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 4:05 PM.