French Montana & Fabolous light up Toronto’s Rebel with Nostalgic Powerhouse Performances

Written and Captured By | Kevin Nguyen

French Montana’s “Gotta See It To Believe It Tour”, hit REBEL on August 15th, with planned support from Fabolous and Fivio Foreign. With a slated start time of 7pm, the venue began filling at a slower and controlled pace as fans slowly made their way to REBEL. REBEL is Toronto’s largest indoor nightclub, and located in the east end of the city. In an area that is currently experiencing much construction and change, it is definitely not the easiest venue to access for an anticipated show.  

The evening began in frustration for many fans as people realized that rapper Fivio Foreign couldn’t cross the border to be part of the tour and perform for fans in Toronto. He shared in a tweet that his attempts to cross into Canada for the third time had failed this year. Undoubtedly there were many fans that were disappointed that Foreign would not be a part of the bill for the evening. The show was opened by JuS Code, who brought in a strong open to hone the energy from the crowd in preparation for the main act.

See more photos of JuS Code HERE

As French Montana took over Rebel last night, and it was clear from the moment he stepped on stage that he was ready to deliver an “unforgettable” show. Known for his infectious hooks and smooth flow, Montana brought his A-game, captivating the audience with a set full of his biggest hits, some covers and an undeniable stage presence. 

The concert started with an explosive entrance, as Montana burst onto the stage. The crowd’s excitement was palpable, setting the tone for what would become a high-energy performance. Opening his set with a bunch of familiar tracks, including a cover of ASAP Ferg’s “Work”, Montana had Toronto moving.

See more photos of French Montana HERE

As the set went on, roughly at 30 minutes in Montana paused to welcome Fabolous to perform his set. Fabolous gracefully guided the crowd through his catalog and hits over the years, giving energetic renditions of his biggest hits, touching on mixtapes, and even a strong performance of his feature on Tamia’s “So Into You”. A look around the room would show you that all the fans were enjoying the delivery, and tunes of the early to mid 2000’s. 

See more photos of Fabolous HERE

Montana would soon join Fabolous back on stage for a performance of their 2014 hit “Ball Drop”. As the song concluded Fabolous thanked the crowd and stated that it would be his time. As for the remainder of the show, Montana continued where Fabolous had left off and gave the crowd some mixtape energy to reminisce on, following that delivering classics like “Unforgettable” and “Pop That”, Montana effortlessly moved through his repertoire, keeping the crowd engaged and on their feet. Giving the crowd a smooth journey through his music throughout the years.  

Montana’s charisma was a highlight of the evening. His ability to connect with the audience was evident as he encouraged sing-alongs and interacted with fans, creating an electric atmosphere. He maintained a strong presence throughout the night. 

The production value of the show was impressive, with stunning visuals and dynamic lighting that complemented Montana’s performance. The sleek set design enhanced the overall experience, reflecting his stylish persona and adding to the concert’s vibrant energy. 

See more photos of French Montana HERE

There were a few minor issues during the show, such as falling behind on schedule for performances and the disappointment of Fivio Foreign missing from the evening’s festivities. 

Overall, French Montana’s concert was a testament to his status in the hip-hop world. The night was filled with energetic performance, memorable moments, and a clear demonstration of Montana’s talent and showmanship. For fans of French Montana seeking an exhilarating hip-hop experience and to reminisce on hits through the years, this is a tour to see.  

Photos By | Kevin Nguyen