Skip to content

 

Let me search more specifically for notable people from Mott Haven Houses and related NYCHA developments in that area.Good day! Based on my research, I found that Mott Haven Houses specifically has one confirmed notable person, but the Mott Haven neighborhood has several NYCHA developments with famous residents. Let me provide you with the information:

Notable Person From Mott Haven Houses:

French Montana (born 1984)

French Montana, the rapper, is from the Mott Haven Houses.1 He was originally from Morocco but moved to the Bronx, New York at an early stage of his life.2 He quickly became involved in the hip-hop space where he started to create well-known music.2 French Montana is known for hit songs like “Unforgettable” and “Ain’t Worried ‘Bout Nothin.” He reached a high watermark in 2020, eclipsing over 13 billion combined career streams.3 He has returned to the Bronx to give back, including holding winter jacket giveaways for kids in the South Bronx and Mott Haven.4

Notable People From Nearby NYCHA Developments in Mott Haven:

Since you’re interested in the Mott Haven area, here are famous residents from other NYCHA projects in the same neighborhood:

From Patterson Houses:

  1. Nate “Tiny” Archibald(born 1948) — NBA Legend Archibald was born and raised in the South Bronx’s Patterson housing projects and attended DeWitt Clinton High School.5He is the only player in NBA history to lead the league in both total points and assists in the same season, achieving this feat during the 1972–73 season with the Kansas City–Omaha Kings, where he averaged 34.0 points and 11.4 assists per game.6 Archibald became a five-time All-NBA selection, six-time All-Star, winning the All-Star Game MVP in 1981, and in the same year was a key member of the Boston Celtics championship team.7 He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991, selected to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team in 1996, and included on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.6
  2. Iran Barkley(born 1960) — World Champion Boxer Iran Barkley, former boxer, was raised in the Patterson Houses.1The Patterson Houses mural features former boxing world champion Iran Barkley.8 Barkley won multiple world championships in different weight classes during his boxing career.
  3. Prince Royce(born 1989) — Singer Prince Royce, the singer, is from the Patterson Houses.9He is featured in the Patterson Houses mural as a Dominican-American music artist and Platinum recording artist.10 He is a bachata and R&B singer known for hits like “Corazón Sin Cara” and “Stand By Me.”
  4. Luis Antonio Ramos(born 1973) — Actor Luis Antonio Ramos, actor, is from the Patterson Houses.9He is also featured in the Patterson Houses mural honoring notable former residents.8 He is known for roles in TV series and films.
  5. A.G.— Rapper A.G., rapper of the duo Showbiz and A.G., was raised in the Patterson Houses.1He is known as part of the influential hip-hop duo from the early 1990s.
  6. Percee P(born 1969) — Rapper Percee P, rapper, was raised in the Patterson Houses.1He is an underground hip-hop legend known for his lyrical skills.

The Mott Haven area has produced many talented individuals across sports, music, and entertainment, reflecting the rich cultural history of the South Bronx!

The Mott Haven Houses in the South Bronx is one of the most recognizable NYCHA developments in New York City, consisting of eight buildings that house nearly 2,500 residents.1 Over the decades, it has been home to several individuals who achieved global fame in music and art, as well as influential community leaders.1

Here are the most notable people from the Mott Haven Houses:

  1. French Montana (Karim Kharbouch)1
  • Career: Rapper, Philanthropist, and Entrepreneur.1
  • Brief Info: Born in Morocco, he immigrated to the Bronx at age 13 and grew up in the Mott Haven Houses.1 He often credits his upbringing there for his “hustle” and survival skills.1
  • Why He Is Popular: He is a multi-platinum, Diamond-certified artist known for hits like “Unforgettable.”1 He is also widely respected for his philanthropy, including building hospitals in Africa and advocating for immigrant rights.1
  1. CRASH (John Matos)
  • Career: Graffiti Artist and Fine Artist.1
  • Brief Info: Matos began his career in the mid-1970s as a teenager living in the Mott Haven Houses.12 He started by painting subway trains but eventually transitioned into the traditional art world.12
  • Why He Is Popular: He is considered a pioneer of the graffiti-to-gallery movement. He is famous for his pop-art-inspired murals and for being the only artist to customize guitars for rock legend Eric Clapton. His work is now featured in major museums like the MoMA.1
  1. Brigitte Vicenty13
  • Career: Environmental Activist and Social Entrepreneur.1
  • Brief Info: A long-time resident of Mott Haven Houses, she founded the non-profit “Inner City Green Team” to address the low recycling rates and environmental neglect in public housing.1
  • Why She Is Popular: She is a leading voice in “green NYCHA” initiatives. Her work has been featured in major news outlets and official city agendas as a model for how residents can lead sustainability efforts from within their own communities.
  1. Olivia Glover
  • Career: Community Activist and Historian.1
  • Brief Info: A life-long resident of the development and a graduate of City College, she became a prominent “History Keeper” for the neighborhood.1
  • Why She Is Popular: She is notable for her work with the National Public Housing Museum and the Mott Haven Oral History Project.1 She has dedicated her career to preserving the stories and cultural history of public housing residents, ensuring their legacy isn’t erased by gentrification.1

Clarification on Nearby Developments

Because the neighborhood of Mott Haven has 17 different NYCHA developments, people often confuse which stars came from which “houses.”1 For accuracy:

  • Patterson Houses: (Located nearby) Produced NBA legend Nate Archibald, boxer Iran Barkley, and singer Prince Royce.1
  • Mitchel Houses: Produced NBA star Rod Strickland.1
  • Millbrook Houses: Produced U.S. Congressman José E. Serrano.