Crime never pays, and it sure hasn’t for Black Mafia Family kingpin Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory.
He was among the most notorious crime lords in the 80s and is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence.
Here’s what you should know about the gangster.
Big Meech Co-Founded Black Mafia Family
In 1985, Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory co-founded Black Mafia Family with his brother, Terry “Southwest T” Flenory.
While in high school, the brothers from Detroit started selling drugs.
This was their only way to make fast money without robbing and killing anyone since their family was broke.
They continued scaling their drug business, and by 2000, they had contacts with Mexican cartels.
They established a massive drug ring and distributed kilos of cocaine in several states, including:
- Texas
- Michigan
- Louisiana
- Kentucky
- Georgia
- Florida
- California
- Alabama
- Tennessee
- Ohio
- North Carolina
He Used BMF Entertainment To Launder Money
In the early 2000s, BMF made mountain loads of money–reports indicate they made more than $270 million from drugs–and had to legitimize it.
Enter BMF Entertainment.
They established a promotions business and rap label to launder money and make themselves legit.
The label was also profitable, giving its staff legitimate income.
They had one prominent artist, Bleu DaVinci.
However, Big Meech associated himself with hip-hop heavy hitters like Jay-Z, Trina, Young Jeezy, and Diddy.
He Went To Prison
Drug kingpins don’t stay ahead forever, and the law eventually caught up to Big Meech.
In 2005, the DEA indicted the brothers and other BMF members.
Big Meech and his brother received 30-year prison sentences.
In 2020, Terry Flenory received compassionate release because of health problems and the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ initiative to release reformed prisoners to limit the spread of Covid-19.
However, his brother is still serving his sentence, though he will probably be out in 2028 instead of 2031.
50 Cent Made A Black Mafia Family Adaptation
In 2021, 50 Cent produced a Starz TV series, BMF about the crime empire, drawing inspiration from Big Meech and his brother.
The series was such a hit that Starz greenlit it for two more seasons.
It also inspired a docu-series, The BMF Documentary: Blowing Money Fast.
Big Meech’s Son Has His Back
Whatever the drug kingpin did, his son–rapper Lil Meech–believes it’s not black and white.
He hopes his portrayal of his father in the series will shed light on what kind of man he is.
According to Lil Meech, BMF was more than drugs.
That part is up for debate, but we can’t refute one thing: Big Meech was a major influence in the 90s and early 2000s, for better or worse.
