French Montana has long been pigeonholed into the role of a single-faceted hitmaker in Hip Hop, a far cry from his early days as a lyrical miracle spitter showcased in SMACK DVD freestyles and mixtape series. Since his mainstream breakthrough with anthems like “Shot Caller” and “Pop That,” French has been synonymous with trap-flavored tracks, forsaking his lyrical prowess for a more commercial sound.

However, with his latest mixtape, “Mac & Cheese 5,” French appears determined to break free from this typecast curse. The fifth installment of his beloved mixtape series, which debuted in 2009, presents a refreshing departure from his usual Auto-Tuned style. The project’s first half sees French trading the frivolous Auto-Tune for soulful sample boom bap beats reminiscent of his early days in the Bronx. Tracks like “Dirty Bronx Intro” showcase French spitting bars with renewed authenticity, firing back at doubters and reclaiming his place in the game. Collaborations like “Stand United” with Kanye West, Buju Banton, and Saint JHN exude a vintage Gang Starr vibe, while “Splash Brothers” features some of the project’s most memorable bars.

While French still attempts to craft hit records, tracks like “Millionaire Row” and “Okay” with Rick Ross, Meek Mill, and Lil Baby veer towards the formulaic ‘hit-record-paint-by-numbers’ approach he’s known for. However, standout tracks like “Money Ain’t a Thing” with Lil Durk and “Fake Friends” with Bryson Tiller offer cleverly written hits with a trap soul vibe and summertime appeal. “Mac & Cheese 5” may still feature its fair share of trademark “Haaaaan” ad-libs, but it marks a return to form for French Montana. Whether tired of chasing hits or simply reconnecting with his Bronx roots, French delivers one of his most compelling projects in recent memory, signaling a promising second act in his career.