French Montana is the latest major artist to embrace SoundCloud’s new “Follower Exclusive Releases” feature, previewing a brand new track directly to fans ahead of its wider streaming release.
The track, ‘Grimey’, is taken from his upcoming collaborative project with Max B titled Wave Gods 2: Cosmos Brothers. It went live on SoundCloud on 15 May, arriving a full week before the album’s official release across other platforms.
The early drop is part of SoundCloud’s recently launched feature designed to give fans first access to new material, whether that’s early versions, unfinished ideas, or surprise releases. The rollout began in March, with EDM artist Chris Stussy among the first to test the feature. French Montana now stands as one of its most high profile adopters to date.
With over 149,000 followers on SoundCloud and more than 1,180 uploads across his career, Montana has long maintained an active presence on the platform. The move adds another layer to his release strategy, allowing dedicated listeners to engage with the music ahead of its wider rollout.
Industry observers will be watching closely to see how the staggered release plays out once Grimey and the full project arrive on streaming services next week. In earlier eras of digital music, platform specific exclusives occasionally led to tension between DSPs, sometimes affecting playlist support or wider visibility.
However, in today’s streaming landscape, early access drops like this have become far more common and less controversial. With more than 30 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone, French Montana is likely banking on the idea that any early momentum from SoundCloud will only amplify anticipation rather than disrupt it.
As Wave Gods 2: Cosmos Brothers approaches release, ‘Grimey’ offers an early glimpse into the project’s direction while reinforcing French Montana’s continued presence across both mainstream and niche digital spaces.
