The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Joe and Jada - French Montana & Max B on 'Coke Wave 3.5: Narcos,' Max's prison stories & "All The Way Up"

Date: January 13, 2026
Host: Joe Budden (standing in for Colin Cowherd)
Co-hosts: Jadakiss, Max B
Guests: French Montana

Episode Overview

This special episode of The Herd (with Joe Budden subbing in as host alongside Jadakiss) centers on French Montana and Max B, celebrating their reunion and the release of their collaborative project 'Coke Wave 3.5: Narcos'. The conversation dives deep into prison stories, resilience, street culture, loyalty, the making of hits like "All The Way Up," and navigating the music industry. Authentic, witty, and charged with the personalities of New York rap royalty, this episode relays tales of perseverance, creative chemistry, hip-hop history, and the reality of fame after hardship.

Main Topics & Key Insights

The Legendary Return: Max B is Home

• Max B’s Release and Resilience:
  After 17 years and 10 months in prison (25 years including earlier stints), Max B is back, focused, and prolific.

  • Max B (12:54): "I did eight in New York, so I did 25 years, but this was 17."
  • Max reflects on adapting quickly in prison and not dwelling on regret; his focus is always on the next move.

• Chemistry with French Montana:
  The Max B/French Montana combo is highlighted as transformative for both their careers. French calls Max’s energy and unique style essential for elevating the "wave" years.

  • French Montana (22:45): "When we got together... just like bringing Kiss and Styles and Sheik together... bringing the movement together."

• Unstoppable Rollout:
  Max B’s first month out yielded a 24-song mixtape with more on the way, reflecting hunger and an work ethic.

  • Max B (37:37): "My first 30 days out, I gave 'em a 20 plus 24 song mixtape... never stop. I have unlimited classics.”

Realness, Loyalty, and 'Dirty Section' Drama

• Loyalty Amid Drama:
  A key thread is the importance of real friends versus "the dirty section"—haters, rumor-mongers, and those left behind.

  • Joe Budden (19:54): “No, not at all. It's just sad. I don't know if any other culture get down like that... I seen it with Big Meech.”
  • Max B (19:42): “God got me right where he want me. After all I've been through... do it look like it bothers me?”

• French’s Loyalty to Max:
  French Montana’s unwavering support for Max is emphasized as exceptional in hip-hop, where most disappear during long bids.

  • Joe Budden (21:05): "Everybody don't do 17 years. And your brother waiting for you. And he's still up. And he putting this in play."
  • Max B (21:33): “Out of all... I got genuine happiness, pure friendship for this. No money, no nothing.”

Famous Stories: Prison, Crime, and the Streets

• Survival in Jail:
  The crew recounts tales of adaptation and hierarchy inside:

  • Joe Budden’s story of “Hong Kong Mongolian,” a misfit who found protection with Joe’s crew.
  • Racial divides and natural alliances inside (“unfortunate, but that’s how it is”) (15:56).

• Impact of Holidays Behind Bars:
  Max details how holidays like Christmas are “just another day, just one closer,” showcasing prison’s emotional toll (17:43).

Music Industry Maneuvering & The Anatomy of a Hit

• Breaking Through Gatekeepers:
  Discussion about being blackballed by radio and overcoming obstacles:

  • Joe Budden (25:32): “French was having a hard time getting his music on the radio... I had a serious conversation with Funk Flex.”
  • French Montana (25:46): “Yeah, I was blackballed even more.”

• Creating ‘All the Way Up’ (Publishing Story):
  French recalls being cut out of publishing, and Fat Joe’s immediate move to fix it:

  • French Montana (45:23): “I checked with my lawyer. He told me I ain't get no publishing on that song... Crack was like, you know what, he called his lawyer right on the spot.”
  • Joe Budden (46:45): "Everybody gotta eat. You go to my stores, the managers... that’s what the biggest business mentors taught me."

• Making Unforgettable:

  • French Montana (84:46): “Probably like going on 20 [diamonds], about like 84 around the world. ... I paid half of that record. Then... Jeremiah came in, played a joint... I had to go in my pocket and I was like, look, if y’ all match me, I get it. So I put up 150 and shot the silver own. She put up 150. ... But I went to Africa and shot the video out of my own pocket too.”

On Securing Hits Vs. Artistry

• The Dilemma of Selling Out:
  The hosts discuss the compromise between making “from the heart” music and crafting formula hits.

  • Joe Budden (42:00): “I made a number one I can’t stand. The white people love it. It went number one.”
  • Max B (42:10): “That’s the decision we gotta make... I’m ready to sing the record.”

• Organic vs Mechanical Hits:
  “Lean Back” was a mixtape joint that became a smash; some hits are calculated, others catch organically.

Hip-Hop History & Roots

• Origins of Stage Names:
  The guests share origin stories for Max B (Bigavelli—from Biggie, Jigga, and Machiavelli), Jadakiss (nickname from older heads on the block), and French Montana (nickname from local Africans calling him “French,” then hustler’s “Montana”). (62:07–64:38)

• From the Bronx to the World:

  • Fat Joe reminisces about seeing Big L and Lord Finesse in Manhattan rap battles; discusses the Bronx’s influence and DJ Kool Herc bringing Jamaican sound system culture (the birth of hip-hop).

Morocco, Family, and Returning Home

• Moroccan Roots & AFCON:
  French Montana shares emotional experiences performing at Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco—a massive, personal homecoming after leaving at 13.

  • French Montana (53:04): “I ain't never do nothing that big in Morocco... like 70,000 people. ... Took mom dukes, was a big moment."

• Max B Getting His Passport:
  Max is looking to get a passport and travel, following his release, and possibly attend Morocco matches (57:18).

Notable and Memorable Quotes

• "I have unlimited classics, wa." —Max B (02:05)
• “You more than anybody because you Muslim, met so many phony baloneys, so many super rich, Arabs that say they the prince, they the king.” —Joe Budden (08:52)
• “Out of all... I got genuine happiness, pure friendship for this... no money, no nothing.” —Max B (21:33)
• “Family, having the best time of my life. Go back to the hotel, the promoter... said, 'We've never seen these people in the mall in our life.' ... It's like Obama on 10,000.” —Joe Budden recounting meeting Dubai royalty (10:03)
• "That’s the decision we gotta make... I’m ready to sing the record." —Max B (42:10)
• "I walk up in there every day, so cocky. Put out an album. The shit floppy. They took off that poster so fast. ... This major label shit is disgusting, bro.... So I go back: I’m never making a hit again." —Joe Budden (43:02)
• "Everybody gotta eat." —Joe Budden (47:36)
• "Whoever got that hit, Max, we need that hit." —French Montana (40:38)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Max B on Prison & Survival: 12:54–14:09
• Joe Budden “Hong Kong Mongolian” story: 15:56–16:36
• The “Dirty Section” in hip-hop: 18:48–19:54
• Max B/French Loyalty: 21:18–22:15
• Origins of Names (Bigavelli, Jadakiss, French Montana): 62:07–64:38
• Creating ‘All The Way Up’ & Publishing: 45:23–47:36
• Unforgettable’s Backstory: 84:38–87:43
• Making calculated vs. organic hits: 42:00–43:40
• French’s Homecoming at AFCON: 53:04–55:26
• Hip-Hop Origins & Signing Off: 72:05–76:21

Memorable Moments

• French Montana getting the Princess of Dubai as a friend/guest at Max B’s welcome home party (09:52)
• Max B’s emotional reaction to seeing his friends’ success while incarcerated (“I ain’t in there going, that should’ve been me. No, I’m in there crying with happiness” – 21:58)
• Classic New York rap stories—pilot hats, velvet blazers, wild nights, and pilot hat tales (97:57 onward)
• Exclusive premieres of new songs from 'Coke Wave 3.5: Narcos'—“Pop a Half,” “Ever Since You Left Me” (91:23–97:00)

The Music: Coke Wave 3.5 Revealed

• Project Features:
  Max B and French Montana preview exclusive tracks, promising a furious rollout with multiple projects and a “global nuclear monster” (97:33).
• Production Credits:
  Shoutouts to Kid Art, Johnny K, and other collaborators.

Tone, Style, and Energy

The tone is deeply New York: brash, funny, honest, and loyal. There’s constant playful roasting, but behind every joke is respect and admiration. The conversation swerves between nostalgia, introspection about the hustle and setbacks, and excitement for what comes next.

For Listeners: Why This Episode Stands Out

This is not only a celebration of Max B’s comeback and French Montana’s achievements, but a time capsule of New York hip-hop resilience—an unfiltered, heartfelt look at loyalty, business, and rebirth. Even for those unfamiliar with the major players, the episode is brimming with raw insight about the music industry, personal transformation, and the realities of post-prison stardom.

Listen for:

• Deep dives into making hit records and surviving the industry
• Candid, never-heard-before stories about hip-hop royalty
• Unfiltered chemistry and storytelling from legends who shaped the sound of a generation

Most Quotable

“I have unlimited classics, wa." —Max B (02:05)
"Out of all... I got genuine happiness, pure friendship for this. No money, no nothing." —Max B (21:33)
“I made a number one I can’t stand. The white people love it. It went number one.” —Joe Budden (42:00)

Recommended Listen:
For fans of hip-hop, redemption stories, or music industry lore, this is a must-hear episode—raw, celebratory, and deeply honest.