The co-founder of the infamous Black Mafia family, Demetrius ‘Big Meech’ Flenory Sr., has been released from federal prison and is now serving the remainder of his sentence in a halfway house.
His story is one we all know well, thanks to the popular Starz series BMF, starring Big Meech’s son, Demetrius ‘Lil Meech’ Flenory Jr., as the notorious criminal.
The crime drama documented Big Meech’s journey from a poverty-stricken teenager to a drug baron who ran one of the world’s largest cocaine trafficking and money laundering schemes.
Big Meech founded Big Mafia Family, also known as BMF, in 1985 as a creative agency and hip hop label with his brother, Terry Lee, also known as ‘Southwest Tee’.
But in the early 2000s, federal agents determined that the company was just a front for a nationwide cocaine trafficking and money laundering scheme, in which the brothers raised more than $270 million.
The co-founder of the infamous Black Mafia family, Demetrius ‘Big Meech’ Flenory Sr., has been released from federal prison and is now serving the remainder of his sentence in a halfway house.
His story is one we know well, thanks to the popular Starz series BMF, starring Big Meech’s son, Demetrius ‘Lil Meech’ Flenory Jr., as the notorious criminal. The father-son duo is seen.
Big Meech’s empire collapsed when he was arrested in 2005 after the Drug Enforcement Administration dismantled his drug trafficking operation following a years-long investigation, and he was sentenced in 2008 to 30 years behind bars.
Her son, Demetrius Jr., who she shares with beautician Latarra Eutsey, was just five years old at the time.
But he remained immensely loyal to his father, and as he grew up, Big Meech counted on him to make sure his story was properly told to the world.
Despite having no prior acting experience, Demetrius Jr. was highly regarded when the show premiered in 2021 and has now become a huge star thanks to his impressive portrayal of his drug dealer father.
Demetrius Jr.’s first passion was music and he released his hit debut song Bad Habits in 2019.
But he then shifted his focus to acting after a life-changing call from his father in prison and a push from acclaimed rapper 50 Cent.
Demetrius Jr. previously explained to New York Post that his father told him during the call that the hip-hop artist was planning to turn his story into a show, and asked him to get involved so he could give him updates on how it was going.
Demetrius Jr. then approached 50 Cent and they formed a friendship.
The crime drama (seen) documented Big Meech’s journey from a poverty-stricken teenager to a drug baron who ran one of the world’s largest cocaine trafficking schemes.
Big Meech founded Big Mafia Family, also known as BMF, in 1985 as a creative agency and hip hop label with his brother, Terry Lee, also known as ‘Southwest Tee’.
And as the musician struggled to find someone to play Big Meech on the show, it suddenly hit him: Demetrius Jr. was the perfect person.
Soon, Demetrius Jr., who was studying business at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, left school, moved to Los Angeles and began taking acting classes.
But in the early 2000s, federal agents determined that the company was just a front for a national cocaine trafficking and money laundering scheme and he was arrested in 2005.
“At first it seemed crazy, I had never acted before,” he told the publication. ‘Actually, I was in business school at UNLV, in Las Vegas.
‘(Now) I want to act for the rest of my life. I feel like I found my calling. So, 50 Cent basically brought acting to me. He is the reason I am acting.
“He helped me get the role, but I had to earn it and prove to the network (that it was the right choice).”
He said he took acting classes five days a week for two years before filming began. And once he started, his father was very involved in the process.
Demetrius Jr. told the Post that they spoke on the phone every day, so his father could give him an “idea” on how to play him.
‘He gave me an idea and told me what his thinking was at the time. “I didn’t know much about his childhood and how he grew up,” he explained.
‘I didn’t understand how poor I was or the decisions I had to make. He thought he had to be a man at 15, 16 years old.
Her son, Demetrius Jr., who she shares with beautician Latarra Eutsey, was just five years old at the time.
But he remained immensely loyal to his father, and when he grew up, Big Meech counted on him to make sure his story was properly told to the world.
Despite having no prior acting experience, Demetrius Jr. was highly regarded when the show premiered in 2021.
As for his love life, he was linked to R&B singer Summer Walker in early 2023, but after months of on-again, off, they split for good in July.
“So he had to really help me understand the obstacles I was facing at the time.”
The series, titled BMF, premiered in 2021 on Starz and also starred Da’Vinchi, Russell Hornsby, Michole Briana White and La La Anthony.
It is now a huge hit and was recently renewed for its fourth season.
Additionally, Demetrius Jr. also starred in an episode of HBO’s Euphoria and had a brief appearance in the series Good Times.
As for his love life, he was linked to R&B singer Summer Walker in early 2023, but after months of on-again, off, they split for good in July.
Amid news of Big Meech’s release, stars like Rick Ross and Sexyy Red took to social media to celebrate.
Rick Ross shared a video on his Instagram Stories saying, “The street is back.” Meech, welcome back. Greeting.’
Sexyy Red tweeted: ‘Where will the welcome home party be? I’m (trying to) perform for da freeski.’