Randy Huggins calls relationship with 50 Cent ‘partnership,’ talks ‘BMF’ and more on ‘Acting Up’

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share via Email
• Copy Link

  Link Copied

In the latest episode of Acting Up, BMF series creator Randy Huggins sat down with theGrio‘s Cortney Wills and opened up about the new Starz series, working with 50 Cent and more.

BMF has become one of the biggest new shows of the fall. Set in 1980’s Detroit, the drama chronicles the Black Mafia Family crime syndicate’s rise to infamy, following founders Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and his younger brother Terry “Southwest T” Flenory. Big Meech is played by his real-life son, Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory, Jr. in his acting debut, along with Da’Vinchi as “Southwest T.”

Also Read:
‘BMF’ series details the life of a family and a redefined American Dream

When Huggins was at work on the series Star, 50 Cent called him to do the series after gaining the rights to the BMF story. Huggins agreed and started his research process, first with phone calls to Big Meech in prison, which were only 10 minutes at a time. Huggins eventually started visiting Meech in prison, but unlike most interviews, Huggins had no way of traditionally documenting his conversations.

“When you go to prison you can’t take a pen or a pad,” Huggins explained. “So he’s talking to me for siz hours, I gotta run to my car and scribble down everything that I can remember.”

Huggins shared that it fills his heart to hear that the story is resonating with viewers, as it has been an “arduous” journey for him as a creator. From new leadership at Starz to filming during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was an uphill battle for BMF to be made. “All of us came together at the right time and I feel like anybody that’s on this show is meant to be here for a purpose.”

Also Read:
‘BMF’ renewed for Season 2 after premiere grabs top ratings

Huggins also opened up about working with 50 Cent and grappling with his social media presence, explaining that he has to separate the two. “I have to look at my relationship with him, you know what I mean? My relationship with him is a partnership…we both respect each other…when I need him, he comes and he’s like, ‘What you need?’ Here’s there for me right there, wherever.”

Huggins also discussed working with actress and director Tasha Smith, Lil Meech playing his own father and more. Listen to the full Acting Up episode below:

Have you subscribed to theGrio’s podcast “Acting Up”? Download our newest episodes now!
TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. Download theGrio today!