The Max B Wave Is Finally in Motion Again by NWO Sparrow

Narcos 3.5 Feels Like a Reawakening for Max B and New York Hip Hop

Rapid Review of Max B and French Montana "Narcos 3.5"

Beats: 8/10

Lyrics: 6/10

Concepts: 6/10

Rollout: 10/10

Replay Value: 7/10

I listened to Narcos 3.5 five times before sitting down to write this. Once at the listening session, and four more times after it dropped on Friday. That matters because this project does not reveal itself all at once. It unfolds. Each listen adds context, emotion, and clarity to what Max B and French Montana were trying to communicate. This is not an album. Max B made that clear during the junket. This is a mixtape. A taste of what the full wave will feel like when his official album arrives. That distinction matters because it frames everything you are about to hear.

What struck me the most across those five listens is that Max B does not sound like a man stuck in his past. I mean he was out of the public presence, but not out of the public eye. Max never left the culture. His voice, his influence, and his creative DNA stayed alive through an entire generation of artists who grew up on the wave. Now he is back in front of the mic again, not trying to relive old moments, but trying to move forward. He sounds free, playful, reflective, and fully aware of what he means to hip hop.

French Montana is the bridge that makes this whole project work. He has held New York down with diamond and platinum records for over a decade, and that credibility gives Max a runway back into the mainstream without compromising who he is. French is not here to overshadow Max. He is here to translate him. Where Max is the innovator, French is the perfectionist. That chemistry runs through every record on Narcos 3.5. The more I sat with this mixtape, the more I realized how intentional it is. This is not Max trying to prove anything. This is Max having fun, taking victory laps, and slowly reintroducing himself to a new era of fans while still feeding the ones who never left. French understands that balance, which is why these records never feel forced or awkward. Narcos 3.5 plays like a statement of presence. Max B is here. The wave is free. And this mixtape is not about nostalgia. It is about momentum.

Track by Track Analysis

MAWA – 8/10

The cinematic opening of this song is immediately infectious, and this is what a duet between French and Max B has the potential to sound like. Max B does not try anything experimental here which is a good thing, he knows what the people want and like from him. He delivers full Max B mode here. French Montana does a good job adding color commentary to this record. The way French slides in feels like he is narrating Max’s return, giving the song extra weight without overpowering it.

Whippin That Wave – 6/10

The production here is vintage boom bap, and Max B opens this record more lyrical than most his prior efforts. French Montana definitely stands out on this record. The hook compliments the beat and is a throwback to records heard on the original Narcos. It feels like them paying respect to where this series started while still keeping things current.

Bulletproof Maybach – 7/10

Max B follows a pattern flow on this record. He also takes the scales of doing the hook. This is a strong hook that lays well over the dream sequence like production. French Montana closes this record, but it is not as strong as his prior verses so far. Even so, the atmosphere of the record carries it and makes it feel cinematic.

Ever Since You Left Me – 10/10

This is my favorite record on the mixtape. This is classic French and Max B. The sample of Thats The Way I Like It really pops here. The synthesizer on Max B bridge was a nice touch. They was having fun here. You can hear the chemistry, the laughter, and the comfort of two artists who know exactly what they are doing together.

Pop That Half – 7/10

I can see this record being a cult favorite among the Coke Boy listeners. This beat is gritty and fits both artists well. It is Max B that takes this one, although French Montana walked on the hook this record. That hook sticks and gives the song its replay value.

Heaven – 9/10

This record is smooth and classic Max B hook singing. If French was ever vulnerable on a record it is this one. This record calls for it. Both Max and French are speaking on appreciation of where they currently stand in life and in legacy. This record means more than the surface suggests. The guitar line on the outro is a nice touch and gives the song emotional closure.

Metro Wave – 10/10

Both Max and French walked on this record. The production the lyrics and vibe is all a win. French Montana line 'Elon Musk, flip the bird, put the X out ' hits because it feels current, clever, and confident. This is the wave in full motion.

The Race – 8/10

I like this record, the hook is on point and it is uniformed. This honestly was the most formation on the album up until this point. French Montana does not waste space on this record, he has a very strong verse here that adds urgency.

Effortless – 6/10

This record does not really hit for me. The beat on here is fire though. Max B and French are in their bag talk and let us know everything is all effortless. What they are really saying is that after everything they survived, the lifestyle now feels smooth and natural. That idea is solid even if the record itself does not fully land.

Me Too – 10/10

This record I had to play back twice. This was really well done and well crafted and is another one of the formulated records on this mixtape. The hook is creative and relatable and both Max B and French deliver heavy on this. The beat here is solid and supports the emotion.

I Dont Know – 6/10

This is a Max B solo here and speaks to who he is as an artist. Confident, auraful and someone you want to be around. This is vibe music and plays like Max B entrance song. It is not the most lyrical from Max but it represents all of what the wave is. The beat is fun and has an 80s cruising vibe to it.

Serenation – 5/10

This record did not hit for me. I give it points for the creativity and concept. French Montana takes the record in terms of delivery here. This may have to be played back a few times for me before it hits but as of three listens right now it just does not hit for me.

Narcos – 5/10

I do not know if it is the placement for me, but this record does not have the same punch of the prior efforts. Narcos should have went earlier on this mixtape because by the time I got this deep into the project, I was craving more samples and authenticity.

Used To Baby – 9/10

This was the pick me up that the album needed. This was reflective for both Max B and French. The production is solid here and brings the energy back.

Be All You Can Be – 6/10

What I like here is the vulnerability of Max. This sounds like a journal entry from someone who has been away and has a story to tell. Max does not give us his all here and that is cool because this is the mixtape not an album. It is probably one of the realest records on the album because it feels honest and unfinished in a good way.

N***a Like Me – 7/10

The sample on this record is everything you know Max B would use. French Montana walks on the hook, and Max B delivered on this record. His verse set the tone for this record and makes it feel authentic.

Sunday School – 7/10

This was Max B in his romance bag. And I can guarantee this will be a fan favorite among Max B cult. Max and French reflecting meeting their first love. This is a good record. It is fun.

Tease Me – 5/10

Not the strongest record on the mixtape but plays its role. It is bad chick music. At this point Max and French said all they needed to about the life and the quality of their women.

Like I Wasnt – 5/10

This record sounded better in the studio in surround sound but the third listen it did not hit well in the car. I think the hook kills it for me here. Max B having too much fun here. But it does not hurt the project overall. I am happy it was placed towards the end.

Rich Off A Name – 7/10

This was Max and French talking that talk. You cannot flex on the Coke Wave. French Montana has been holding NYC down for years with diamond singles and hit records. Max B inspired literally an entire generation and was not free to see his work go into play. This record addresses all that and is well needed. It feels like closure and celebration at the same time.

After five listens, Narcos 3.5 feels like more than a mixtape. It feels like a statement of survival. Max B does not sound bitter. He does not sound rushed. He sounds present. That might be the most important thing about this entire project. French Montana deserves credit for how he handled this rollout and this collaboration. He never tried to turn this into a French Montana album. He used his platform to amplify Max, and that is why the chemistry feels real instead of transactional.

This mixtape does not chase trends. It lives in its own lane. Sometimes that leads to uneven moments, but it also leads to records that feel timeless. Max B is not here to relive history. He is here to write new chapters. Narcos 3.5 is just the prologue. And if this is only the warm up, the culture better be ready for what comes next.

The X-Files

Album Breakdown

Beats – 8/10

The production does not carry the mixtape. It supports the art and elevates the overall experience. The beats serve as tools and Max and French use them effectively without being overshadowed by them.

Lyrics – 6/10

Max is by no means the lyrical of the lyricist but he rhymes with confidence, conviction, and aura. French Montana is more of the punchline hitter here. Together they create a balance between aura and simplicity.

Concepts – 6/10

This mixtape is just the teaser not the full Coke Boy experience. Max and French do enough to keep their base fed while leaving room for something bigger.

Rollout – 10/10

This was heavily promoted for a mixtape release. A listening event, major appearances, and a professional rollout made this feel like a moment.

Replay Value – 7/10

Fair replay score. The more you sit with it the more you catch. This is a must hear for the Max B fandom.

Total Music Score – 7/10

Total Album Score – 7.6/10