AceShowbiz - French Montana played a pivotal role in raising $75,000 for Noureddine Bitat, a New York City taxi driver whose vehicle was severely damaged during celebrations following the New York Knicks’ championship win.

Bitat, a 59-year-old Algerian immigrant and father, was working a grueling 13-hour taxi shift when a crowd celebrating the Knicks’ NBA Finals victory forcibly removed him from his taxi and vandalized the car. The damage included a smashed windshield and a roof that was stomped on amid the chaos. After footage of the incident went viral, French Montana called on his social media followers to help support Bitat. A GoFundMe campaign was quickly launched with the assistance of content creator Zachery Dereniowski and the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, raising $75,000 plus additional funds to cover six months of Bitat’s living expenses.

French Montana later presented Bitat with the raised funds on June 17, 2024, alongside representatives from the Taxi Workers Alliance and Dereniowski. French Montana related the ordeal to his own family’s immigrant experience and expressed sympathy for Bitat’s struggles to provide for his family. Bitat confided that he no longer wishes to continue driving a taxi after the traumatic event, prompting French Montana to pledge ongoing personal support until Bitat can decide his next steps.

French Montana is best known as a rapper who gained recognition with his 2009 mixtape "Cocaine Konvicts." He has earned several award nominations, including for his hit collaborations like "Unforgettable" and "All the Way Up." Besides his music career, French Montana also has an acting credit in After Party, The (2018).

This gesture highlights the impact public figures can have when they leverage their platforms for community support. Given the widespread damage and injuries during the Knicks’ championship celebrations, French Montana’s commitment to helping Bitat serves as a meaningful response amid a difficult moment for many New Yorkers affected by the unrest.