BMF reiterates the importance of Black people being behind the stories of some of the most complex people in Black America.
Big Meech has been something of an urban legend in the streets, but for those who’ve never had a chance to learn and know his story, the time has come by way of a new Starz series, BMF. BMF, short for ‘Black Mafia Family,’ explores the life of Demetrius ‘Big Meech’ Flenory through the eyes of his real son, Demetrius ‘Lil Meech’ Flenory, Jr.
With family being a key cornerstone in the Flenory household, it was only right that the story focused on how Big Meech managed to build and run a drug empire alongside his brother, Terry “Southwest T” Flenory portrayed by All American’s Da’Vinchi.
“This means the world to be because this is all that my dad ever wanted, for people to know his origin story,” said Lil Meech during the star-studded premiere event for the series in Atlanta. “How he started off poor, holes in his shoes walking to school and how he came from nothing to something at 15 years old, taking care of the household because his mom and dad worked two or three jobs a day and still couldn’t afford to pay the bills. He had to step up and be a man at an early age and he wanted people to know that it wasn’t just because of a choice.”
He further explained how the series will shed light on the true story behind the organization that his father and uncle built from the ground up especially during a time where the only thing coming out of Detroit was violence.
“In the 1980s in Detroit there was mainly violence, drugs and crime so it wasn’t like he had a chance to go to school and get a good job and get good grades and pay for a house because his mom and dad couldn’t even pay for their own house while working two and three jobs,” he continued. “He wants people to understand what choices he made to make him who he is [and] understand how loving he was with his family and how much loyalty and brotherhood meant to him. It’s more than just drug dealing and gang banging or whatever you think you see. Between the lines is soul, love, and loyalty so people should be able to read and see BMF in a different light.”
Brought to the world by executive producer, Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson and writer and executive producer, Randy Huggins, BMF explores more than just the drug empire and battles against rival gangs and family members.
“Who better to tell the truth than yourself,” said Huggins when asked why it was important for people who look like us to bring the true story of Big Meech to the world. “I think it’s essential for us to tell our own stories. This is a show about family. It’s a show about brotherhood and it’s a show about love.”
BMF premiered Sept. 26 and is filled with a star-studded cast including Russell Hornsby, Michole Briana White, Snoop Dogg and Kash Doll, among others.
