French Montana recently filmed a music video for his single “Wish U Well” with Swae Lee among the Makoko people in Nigeria. To thank them for their hospitality, the rapper donated 500 canoes to the community, who live in structures built on stilts off the coast of Lagos and are regularly endangered by floods. Local craftsmen will build approximately six boats a week, and are expected to reach the goal of 500 by December.
“I witnessed firsthand how water is both a lifeline and an obstacle in Makoko. These boats are essential tools transporting the residents of Makoko and goods and services,” Montana said in a statement. “As an immigrant from Morocco, giving back to communities in Africa, the place that raised me, is so important.”