Interview by Emil Flemmon

What makes the 21-year-old Detroit born actor unique isn’t that he’s now a bonafide actor, but the fact that his first credited gig is playing his father in 50 Cent’s adaptation of the Black Mafia Family.

In what may later be considered his “breakout” role, Flenory Jr. said he doesn’t look at playing his father as just a character.  “This isn’t fiction, this is real life,” he said.  “It’s not just an honor for me to be doing this, but it’s something I want my father [Flenory Sr.] to be proud of.”

After 50 Cent obtained the rights to the BMF history, Flenory Jr. got a call from the “Magic Stick” rapper saying, “I got a call from my dad, who’s in prison and he told me 50 Cent had the rights to the BMF story and he could do whatever he wanted with it – a movie or a TV series,” the New York Post reported.

Flenroy Sr. has been incarcerated since his son was 7 years old.  When asked how his father’s absence may have affected how he carried out his father’s portrayal on screen, Flenroy Jr. explained, “My father and I are two different people, you know? He gave me insight, because I knew only a little about how he grew up.”

He added, “A lot that I knew about his decisions came from him wanting to help his family out at 15 and people misjudged his choices.  Once I got the role, he helped me understand the importance of telling his story and why it needs to be, you know?”

The family’s history and origin dates back to 1989 in southwest Detroit by brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory.

By 2000, the brothers were able to use their connections with the Mexican drug cartels, enlarging their distribution in sales to Los Angeles, Detroit, Miami, Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta.

After establishing footing in the music industry, the duo used their hip hop based company, BMF Entertainment, as the front for money laundering from cocaine sales.

The Flenory brothers were indicted in 2005 by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and were sentenced to 30 years imprisonment. 

It’s estimated that the Black Mafia Family profited over $270 million over the course of their operations.

During the ‘80s, crack cocaine was popularized due to its affordability, euphoric effects and high profitability in sales. 

The epidemic had devastated many African American communities within inner cities by causing an increase of addictions, deaths and drug-related crimes.

As a member of Gen-Z, Flenroy Jr. says being immersed in the popular drug based show has motivated him to give back to those in his age bracket that can relate to his backstory.

“I want to help other people that feel like they don’t have enough, because that’s a feeling my dad had, the former University of Nevada, Las Vegas student said.  ”I definitely want to give back to families who have other family member’s that are incarcerated since I know that life.”

Flenroy Jr. is set to appear on the HBO series “Euphoria.”