As a writer and someone who actually appreciates being invited and placed on a VIP list, I always try to arrive relatively on time. As I arrived at Slush at 7:08 PM EST (red carpet started at 7) and made my way downstairs for the festivities before the screening, I was reminded of the rules of engagement when an event takes place in Atlanta.
Rule number one, when invited to an event in Atlanta, is that what is considered "on time" is roughly ninety minutes past when the event is supposed to start. This is a well-known art form in these parts, almost a non-verbal pidgin that ATLiens and transports understand without being told.
Culturally for us as Blacks in Atlanta, there has always been a beautifully woven, yet still complex, juxtaposition between our inherent spiritual nature and the allure of the streets, and the sensibilities that accompany both in our consciousness.
The BMF Season Finale screening was a red carpet affair event off Edgewood Avenue at Slush Restaurant & Bar - roughly a mile from the home the legendary and incomparable Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was raised in. This historic district has always embodied that duality of this consciousness.
The 50 Cent -executive-produced BMF (Black Mafia Family) on Hulu is an overall recount of the life and rise of the leader of the largest trafficking syndicate in American History, one Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory. The show stars his real-life son Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory, Jr. playing his father.
Synergy PR Services hosted the event and ushered us early media birds downstairs to the bar and lounge area for appetizers, libations, and music. With only about twenty of us in the room I was the first to sit at the bar. This was not a strategic move by any means I just happened to know the bartender, who i had worked alongside some years ago and had not seen since then.
The first hour came and went without much fanfare (or people for that matter). The bar acquired some more patrons, and around 8pm, actor Russell Hornsby, who plays Meech’s dad Charles Flenory came down the stairs and straight to the bar to catch up with someone who appeared to be a friend or worked behind the scenes on the series. Most likely both, but the room immediately became energized with his arrival as people arose from the pre-game comatose to shake his hand, snap a pic for the gram, and galavant with the first star arrival.
Hornsby was gracious and obliged the crowd and even made jokes with fans and media in between impromptu photo ops. He would prove to be the life of the party later with some hilarious but well timed dance moves before the screening began.
Fifteen minutes after Hornsby’s arrival, actress Michole White, who plays the role Lucille Flenory, Meech’s mom and wife to Charles played by Hornsby arrived. In typical ATL fashion the room was practically full by 8:30. Walter, the owner of Slush, was super hospitable and dapper in a almost powder blue suit and matching hat with a brim crisp enough to be used as fatality weapon on Mortal Kombat. He dimmed the lights, the full cast was now in tow and it was LED light, iPhone camera, action.
Although I have not been an avid watcher of the series, I could see some of the intangible things from this cast that has made this series a success and culture piece. These characters have chemistry on screen because they have created a familial bond that is present when the cameras are not rolling. They all worked the room seamlessly, enjoyably, often interrupting and interacting with each other to the delight of onlookers such as myself.
Walter came around at 9pm and very politely relieved all of us bar patrons of our chairs to make more room for a now completely full room.
The star of the show and real life son of Big Meech - Lil’ Meech - arrived around this time in true star of the show fashion but obliged the fans and media the same as his fellow cast mates. Lil’ Meech did have one security/associate with him and he was rocking a diamond encrusted BMF chain. It was just a piece of jewelry but it reminded of my time in Medellín visiting with my dear friend Obi, who astutely alerted me that some of Pablo’s people were still alive and well around the town.
The cast was summoned to the upstairs portion of Slush to prepare for the viewing. The roughly 150 ppl in the room made their way up the steps and followed the cast, although we were not supposed to. I have always been fascinated how through some strange deluded osmosis, when people get around stars, they start acting and behaving as if they are one as well.
The crowd had matriculated to a club like vibe in size by the time it was actually time to watch the finale. This made the task of hearing the dialogue from the show arduous and problematic at times. I was well positioned to see and hear what was an action packed and scene stealing event that a season finale is supposed to be for a popular TV series.
As the show and season concluded, it appeared the party was just beginning. I walked up to Deja (who had invited me) and asked her if there were any more interviews or Q&A for the cast after. She said no, and I said I was about to make my departure. I’m fortunate enough to have partied in this city when the real Big Meech was the man in town and sat this one out.
I stepped back out on Edgewood and the corner hustlers had dissipated and had been replaced with intoxicated patrons running in and out of bars on the strip. I wondered what Dr. King would think if he was still here; would he see his corners as prosperous or a dream deferred? I may have to wait for next season before I have that conflicting train of thought again.
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