When the New York Knicks finally broke their 53-year championship drought by cooking the San Antonio Spurs, the entire city went absolutely nuts. But what was supposed to be a legendary night of pure New York joy quickly turned into a straight-up nightmare for Noureddine Bitat.
The 59-year-old immigrant father from Algeria had just wrapped a grueling 13-hour shift behind the wheel when an overzealous crowd surrounded his yellow cab near Madison Square Garden, dragging him out, smashing his windshield, and stomping his roof until the car was completely totaled.
As the heartbreaking footage went viral, racking up millions of views across social media, Bronx rap heavy hitter French Montana saw the clip and knew he couldn’t just sit back. French immediately took to X, putting out an APB to the city: “Somebody find him for me so we can help him get back on his feet.” Of course, French didn’t just talk about it, either. Teaming up with the New York Taxi Workers Alliance and digital creator Zachery “MDMotivator” Dereniowski, the “Unforgettable” rapper launched a major push to make things right.
Going above and beyond a simple internet shoutout, French surprised Bitat on CBS Mornings with a life-changing $75,000 check, alongside a pledge to fully hold him down by covering at least six months of his living expenses while he figures out his next career move.
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For French, who came to New York as an immigrant himself, seeing a fellow hustler, similar to his dad, get targeted in the middle of a celebration hit way too close to home.
“I just saw a man trying to feed his family,” French said, keeping it completely real about why he had to step in.
Thanks to the superstar’s massive platform and a GoFundMe that quickly blew past its original goals, a situation that started with senseless destruction ended with a clear example of what real New York community looks like when the block locks arms to protect its own.