The very first episode of Starz’s “BMF (Black Mafia Family)” had me desperately wanting more and I didn’t skip a beat clicking onto episode two. I instantly knew that this series had something fresh and exciting to offer in a style that was quite familiar.
Only three episodes have premiered so far and this series has already positioned itself as a certified hood classic. “BMF” follows the brilliant story-telling formula that has been the root of many celebrated series and films within the black crime genre such as SnowFall, New Jack City and Boyz in the Hood.
The show was developed and executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, who has proven his ability to dominate the black crime drama genre with the highly-rated and successful “Power” series.
BMF’s story is over 30 years in the making: based on the real story of the rise of a notorious drug organization in Detroit known as “Black Mafia Family” run by Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and his younger brother Terry “Southwest T” Flenory. Black Mafia Family became one of the largest drug trafficking organizations in the United States and had ventured into the hip-hop music industry, starting BMF Entertainment in 2000 as a front for a money laundering operation.
One of the most remarkable facts about this series is that main character Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory is played by his actual son Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr. That alone brings an essence of authenticity to the story that cannot be explained through words but felt through Flenory Jr’s performance.
Flenory Jr. spoke on his experience portraying his dad during an interview with XXL, expressing that “It means the world to me, it’s like life or death for me, that’s how serious I take it. Not even more so with the job itself just so with me telling the story right because he’s still in jail and he got taken away from me so young and missed my whole teenage childhood,” said Flenory Jr. “I want people to know the real him and that’s all he wanted people to know, the real him.”
Undoubtedly, there has been a rapid growth in the popularity of Black crime drama series over the past decade with shows like HBO’s “The Wire”, “The CHI” on Showtime, FX’s “SnowFall” and 50 Cent’s “Power” series.
This show takes the best aspects of those shows and other Black classics, then synthesizes it all into a dramatic masterpiece that depicts the real life tale of two young brothers operating a drug trafficking organization.
Geray Tookes, avid fan of the series, spoke on why BMF is his new current favorite series.
“BMF shows you the good and bad of the streets and drug trafficking,” Tookes said. “For example, the good part is you’re going to make cash, provide for your family, drive nice cars, wear nice clothes, golds and jewelry. The bad thing is you have enemies, jealousy, killings, effect on your family, and a lack of loyalty. Showing both sides of the game is what makes BMF real and authentic.”
BMF has done in three episodes what some series fail to do in three seasons, and that is to provide an authentic yet compelling story of the street life with phenomenal performances that will leave the audience wanting more each episode.
The anticipation is high and calendars are marked for the continuation of “BMF.”