Customer Reviews

BMF: The Rise and Fall of Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The author does a credible job of crafting the BMF story over the course of 277 pages. The book is at it's best early on and tapers off significantly toward the end. It was apparent that this was a voyeuristic endeavor for the author whose interest in the lifestyle and personalities of the BMF members was apparent throughout. In as much the finite details of the story don't receive nearly the amount of attention they deserve. Had the author done so, she would have found many inconsistencies in regard to the BMF operation and the legend that has emerged.

Ignorant and naive, are the most appropriate terms to describe the behavior of BMF's co-founder Demetrius "Meechie" Flenory throughout the story. At least this is the impression one gets from the author. The story opens with an interview session where a jailed Meech reminisces over all that he has lost. The cars, the money, the notoriety are all listed by the author but it is apparent what he seeks is validation. For all that he has lost, the most precious of all "freedom," isn't mentioned. It's a curious omission from a man facing the remainder of his natural life behind bars.

It's sad because it demonstrates the mentality and mindset of so many men and women, "some young and some more experienced," who are sure to pick up this title and relate or adopt Flenory's irrational manner of thinking themselves. The author falls into the trap of trying to justify the actions of the group by employing the over-used excuse "if it wasn't the Flenory brothers...some else would-perhaps someone not so willing to give back.

Give back? Give back to what, where and to whom? The truth of the matter is BMF spent whatever earnings they made in the clubs of Buckhead, Vegas and Miami! What benefit did this provide to the sections of Atlanta, Detroit, St. Louis or any of the other cities where the product they sold settled? Not a single Buckhead club was owned or controlled by BMF, Miami's south beach is an area notorious for its Jim Crow era policies in regard to black club and business ownership as is the case with the Vegas strip.

Little "if any," of the alleged $270 million in earnings generated by BMF was invested or applied toward the betterment of the communities victimized during their reign. The sad fact of the matter is BMF's "absurd" spending habits and promotion of a highly fictionalized lifestyle masked the continued assault upon black communities through the promotion of the high consumption lifestyle and fatalistic behaviors that have robbed more than 2 million black males of their futures due to incarceration. Our communities are suffering and one of the primary causes for this suffering is the combination of ignorance and apathy.

Far to many of us remain ignorant to the fact that there is no future in selling drugs, Jay-Z's puffery be damned! I've witnessed far to many fall victim to the temptation of fast money who learn far to late that there is no such thing as easy money and the only thing fast about it is the rate at which it disappears. The BMF story is sad because as the judge in the BMF trial pointed out "Flenory is his own worst enemy" as well as an enemy to the reputation and well being of a healthy black image.

Despite this book, multiple DVD's and countless magazine articles, the truth has continued to be ignored. The fact of the matter is the details as contained in the BMF indictment from October 2005 is not nearly as glamorous as we are led to believe. 30 people lost their freedom, and for what 632 kilos, $5.3 million in currency and $5.7 million in assets. Though a considerable sum, it is a far cry from $270 million most often attributed to the operation. So was it worth 40 years behind bars? Well according to Flenory it was. Well someone check back with him in 10 years when his exploits are a faded memory and the magazine editors and struggling authors loose interest.

I couldn't put this down - (I had to at some points to go to work), it reads like a non fiction, certainly as exciting as the godfather series, an updated version. I loved learning the details of how BMF and Sin City pulled off their dealings and also interesting to hear how the investigators connected the dots.

Great book! I can't wait for the movie.

I liked it, but its not great. As a follower of hip-hop culture and underground news I've heard about BMF for a few years now, and I was following their story before Meech/ BMF was arrested or sentenced. So when I read the book I didnt come across much information that I hadn't already done from my own personal sleuthing. As I read the book I kept thinking "man, i could've written this" but i'm not an investigative writer or reporter, which If I was, I would have produced pretty much the exact same book, which is one of my gripes about it. Basically this is a good book for people who have never heard or are new to the Name Big Meech (likely through the Rick Ross song BMF). Its a compilation of all the public domain info on the peoples and group itself. My only other gripe was the absence of certain names/ photos, like Bleu DaVinci, and the story of Jeezy and Gucci Mane, which for some some reason has Gucci listed an unnamed rapper beef. Im hoping that's just some legal thing, but Im waiting for the personal stories to come out, directly from the mouth of Meech and Big T and how their "management styles" clashed and lead to their downfall, which is the real story in this typical drug tale.

This was interesting reading although the author at times comes across as being in awe of these young men. The story was lent veracity as it was written more from a law enforcement perspective with supporting documents easily obtainable as opposed to a glorified, embellishment of events written from the principal participants.

Wow, very detailed and engaging! at first I felt it to be very very detailed and sometimes...umm maybe overwhelming to a degree due to the degree of specifics and what seemed to be non related info! but the author tied it all up at the end I felt! I see now haveing read the entire book why she arranged and presented the story as she did! It made for a very good read and I really really liked this book. I highly recommend this book as a great source of information and entertainment so to speak!

I too could not put this book down. It was so detailed and full of play by play information. But what shocked and surprised me was the amount of crew members that became goverment witnesses. I was not expecting those major players to roll on the Terry like they did, so much for their slogan Death before Dishonor....Before the movie comes out, how about a sequel to update us on how many of those who turned government snitches are still alive!!! Overall a very good book!! I was pleased with the content.

"I think I'm Big Meech..." Who hasn't heard or repeated those lines from Rick Ross's `Blowing Money Fast'? Well, in "BMF: The Rise and Fall of Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family" journalist Mara Shalhoup recounts the details surrounding, like the title states, the rise and fall of the Flenory brothers, Demetrius aka Big Meech and Terry aka Southwest T. The Flenory brothers came from humble upbringings in Detroit, Michigan. Their father worked as many as two jobs at a time to provide for the family. Despite his best efforts, the family could not escape poverty. Subsequently, the two brothers took to the streets selling cocaine and so began the makings of an empire that would come to be known as BMF (Black Mafia Family). It was an organization that would go beyond the boundaries of Detroit to include Missouri, Georgia, and California. It was an organization that would earn over an estimated $270 million dollars. It was also an organization that would crumble under intense investigations, indictments and snitching. Ultimately, it was an organization that would end with its founders, Terry and Demetrius, in prison along with many of its members.

"BMF: The Rise and Fall of Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family" is informative. It is also very technical and sterile. I would have preferred to hear more from those involved and less from what is on the record. At times it read like a news report. There is nothing personable about this narration. The flow is not always smooth and the author often reiterates facts.

Even so, "BMF: The Rise and Fall of Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family" is an interesting read. I had watched a documentary about the BMF, but there is only so much that could be told in a short period of time. Mara Shalhoup's book filled in many of the blanks. At this point, though, I'd still be interested in hearing the personal account of either Flenory brother. If their portrayals were accurate, it'll be Big Meech.



Reviewed by: Toni

The book provided very good insight to the BMF rise in the south. Very detailed descripted writing about this story. Easy to follow and I wouldn't be suprised if this book is used as the basis for a future screen play. You iwll not be disappointed.

I am born and raised in the "A". I knew these guys were a force, but didnt know to this extent. A lot of events I remember that happened in the early 2000 involved this crew. Very good book, bravo, cant wait till the movie!!

This book is all right. A little too much from the law enforcement angle for me. I'd like to hear from Meech and the other guys more. Get the story right from then but it's a decent read. But if you want to hear gangster stories from the gangsters themselves check out Street Legends Vol. 1 and 2 from Gorilla Convict Publications.