Rapper and producer 50 Cent is firing back at critics who believe that he is glorifying drug dealing culture.
On Thursday, Starz debuted the official trailer for “BMF (Black Mafia Family)” during the Television Critics Association’s Summer Press Tour. The eight-episode series is based on infamous drug lord brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory and their million-dollar narcotics empire that was launched in Detroit in the 1980s, thriving until the early 2000s.
During the virtual panel, 50 Cent addressed people who feel that he is capitalizing on the lucrative and often deadly drug trade with “Power” and its spinoffs and now the “BMF” series. The rap mogul says that viewers should be able to separate entertainment and reality.
“People who don’t differentiate between the two should be in a mental institution because they can’t separate their reality from what they’re watching. When you watch ‘Forensic Files,’ does it make you feel like you should go kill somebody? You don’t do that.”
Mr. Jackson also spoke on people who feel that he only creates shows centered around the drug trade, which he proudly confirmed to be sure.
“All of my shows are drug dealer shows. Even when the person is being wrongfully convicted and thrown in jail for 70 years, like my ABC show, ‘For Life.’ In that time period, that was actually going on culturally all over the place.”
The long-awaited biopic series features Big Meech’s very own son, Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr., in the lead role. “Grown-ish” actor Da’Vinchi will tackle the role as Meech’s brother, Terry “Southwest T” Flenory. Kash Doll, Wood Harris, and La La Anthony will also have recurring roles on the show that premieres on September 26th exclusively on Starz.
