Massive Meech claims duty for iconic strip membership development
Demetrius Flenory, extensively often known as Massive Meech, is as soon as once more making headlines—this time not for his previous within the drug sport, however for his claimed affect on hip-hop tradition.
In a current interview, the Black Mafia Household co-founder said that he was the originator of “making it rain,” the now-iconic act of throwing massive quantities of money—sometimes one-dollar payments—inside strip golf equipment.
Whereas the phrase and apply have turn out to be synonymous with hip-hop nightlife, Meech says the motion didn’t begin as leisure. As a substitute, it was born out of necessity throughout the top of BMF’s operations.
The rise and fall of BMF
To totally perceive Meech’s declare, it’s essential to revisit the dimensions of the empire he helped construct.
Based in 1985 in Detroit by Meech and his brother Terry Flenory, BMF grew into some of the highly effective drug trafficking organizations in america.
By the early 2000s, the group had established a nationwide cocaine distribution community, with operations stretching from Atlanta to Los Angeles and direct connections to Mexican cartels.
At its peak, federal authorities alleged that BMF generated over $270 million in income. Nevertheless, the empire finally collapsed underneath the load of an enormous federal investigation. In 2005, the Drug Enforcement Administration led coordinated raids that resulted in dozens of arrests, hundreds of thousands in seized belongings, and the dismantling of the group.
Meech and his brother had been each sentenced to 30 years in jail underneath the Persevering with Legal Enterprise statute.
How extra money sparked a cultural phenomenon
In accordance with Meech, the roots of “making it rain” hint again to the logistical challenges of dealing with large quantities of cash generated by illicit operations.
As a frontrunner of the Black Mafia Household, Meech defined that greenback payments turned impractical for enterprise.
“While you’re coping with that type of cash, ones are ineffective,” he basically described, declaring the inefficiency of counting small denominations at scale.
Confronted with an overflow of money that couldn’t simply be processed, Meech says he took it to the one place that will settle for it with out query—the strip membership. What started as a approach to offload extra forex rapidly became a spectacle. Throwing cash within the air turned a visible image of wealth, energy, and standing.
BMF’s deep ties to hip-hop tradition
At the same time as a prison enterprise, BMF’s affect prolonged far past the streets. By BMF Leisure, Meech tried to legitimize his empire by getting into the music trade. The label promoted artists and collaborated with main names in hip-hop.
The group’s flashy life-style turned aspirational content material in rap music, influencing lyrics, visuals, and branding throughout the style.
Maybe essentially the most notable tribute got here from Rick Ross, whose 2010 hit B.M.F. (Blowin’ Cash Quick) immortalized Meech’s nickname and additional cemented his legacy in hip-hop tradition.
From avenue hustle to hip-hop life-style
The BMF period within the early 2000s was marked by excessive opulence. Lavish events, luxurious automobiles, designer trend, and stacks of money turned synonymous with Meech’s picture.
By BMF Leisure, Meech and his group embedded themselves deeply into hip-hop tradition. Artists, DJs, and trade insiders had been uncovered to their life-style firsthand.
In consequence, “making it rain” developed from a sensible answer right into a cultural assertion.
Quickly, rappers and celebrities started replicating the act, turning strip golf equipment into phases for shows of wealth. Over time, it turned a defining ingredient of hip-hop nightlife.
Artists like Drake and Offset have been extensively documented throwing tens of 1000’s of {dollars} in golf equipment, whereas figures like Jermaine Dupri have additionally been credited with popularizing the development.
The fashionable strip membership financial system and “making it rain”
At this time, “making it rain” is greater than only a development—it’s an integral a part of the strip membership financial system.
In cities like Atlanta, Miami, and Houston, the act of throwing cash has turn out to be a efficiency in itself. It’s not unusual for high-profile visitors to spend tens of 1000’s of {dollars} in a single evening.
Social media has solely amplified this conduct, turning non-public membership moments into viral content material.
Artists like O.T. Genasis have even used instruments like “money cannons” to distribute cash, whereas celebrities comparable to Jadakiss and Submit Malone have been seen handing out stacks of money throughout membership appearances.
Whether or not Meech actually invented the apply or just popularized it at scale stays up for debate—however his affect on the tradition is plain.
Controversy continues to comply with Massive Meech
Since his launch, Meech has remained a polarizing determine. In 2025, 50 Cent publicly accused him of cooperating with federal authorities—an allegation Meech strongly denied.
“I by no means folded, by no means instructed, by no means will,” Meech stated in response. “Demise earlier than dishonor.”
The controversy added one other layer to his already complicated legacy, which sits on the intersection of crime, tradition, and leisure.
BMF’s legacy lives on in media and music
The story of BMF continues to captivate audiences years after its downfall.
The STARZ sequence BMF, produced by 50 Cent, dramatizes the rise of the group, with Meech portrayed by his real-life son, Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr. The present has launched a brand new technology to the BMF story, mixing avenue historical past with leisure.
In the meantime, artists proceed to reference the group in music, together with SZA, whose 2025 monitor “BMF” nods to each the group and the lavish life-style it represented.
Who actually invented “making it rain”?
Meech’s declare provides a brand new chapter to an ongoing debate.
Whereas some credit score trade figures like Jermaine Dupri with popularizing the phrase and tradition, Meech argues that he laid the inspiration lengthy earlier than it turned mainstream. In some ways, each views can coexist.
Meech could have launched the conduct inside a particular context—one rooted in extra money and underground wealth—whereas hip-hop artists later amplified and commercialized it for a world viewers.
Legacy Past the Legend
Massive Meech’s declare that he invented “making it rain” gives an interesting glimpse into how avenue tradition can evolve into mainstream leisure.
What began as a sensible answer to dealing with overwhelming quantities of money finally turned some of the recognizable symbols of hip-hop luxurious.
Whether or not considered as a pioneer or a participant, Meech’s affect on the tradition is plain.
As his story continues to unfold by interviews, tv, and music, one factor stays clear: the legacy of BMF—and its influence on hip-hop—nonetheless resonates at present.
