In this powerful episode of Crime Pays with Ash Cash & Jay White, we sit down with Mendeecees Harris to uncover his journey from growing up in Harlem’s tough streets to becoming a music mogul, real estate investor, and family man. Mendeecees opens up about losing his father at a young age, navigating the streets as a teenager, surviving incarceration, and shifting his mindset to build legitimate wealth and create generational legacy for his children.

Discover the life lessons, mindset shifts, and raw truths behind his transformation. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your past or wondered how to pivot your hustle into something positive, this episode is for you.

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00:00 - It's a dog-eat-dog world
00:24 - Connecting with a fellow boss
00:46 - Welcome to Crime Pays
01:16 - Why this interview is personal
02:06 - Choosing a different side
02:23 - Meet Mendeecees "D1" Harris
02:40 - Growing up in Harlem
03:12 - Money down south
03:44 - OG protection and early influences
04:14 - Wild dice game story
05:31 - Growing up in the '90s
06:01 - Entry into the street game
06:59 - Life in a broken household
07:50 - Growing up too fast
08:43 - Sibling leadership and survival
10:27 - When the hustle became real
11:03 - In and out of school
12:20 - The $75 transport risk
13:08 - Pivoting for bigger rewards
13:26 - Observing and reading the room
14:06 - Quiet but dangerous
15:06 - The power of silence
16:21 - Staying out of unnecessary drama
17:24 - TV vs. real life
18:33 - Transitioning to a new hustle
19:35 - The blueprint for hustling out of town
20:33 - Risks and rewards in the streets
21:26 - Mental stress of hustling
22:29 - Planning the exit strategy
22:53 - Long run vs. short run
23:59 - Balancing fame and risk
24:09 - Gratitude for new opportunities
25:16 - Facing prison and fear
26:22 - Prison mentality: "I'm that guy"
27:29 - Harlem rules: Loud vs. quiet
28:06 - Wars cost money
29:10 - Lessons from losing friends
30:04 - Dealing with disrespect and patience
31:17 - A generation without a code
32:21 - Social media clowns
32:43 - Music management days
33:09 - One foot in, one foot out
33:44 - A forced reset and divine timing
34:52 - Family first
35:34 - Influence of music and culture
36:49 - Status symbols and social clout
37:55 - Reconnecting to family values
38:42 - Transition from street to business
39:34 - Social media isn't everything
40:17 - Dealing with online hate
41:01 - Coming home with a plan
41:45 - Relocating for a better life
42:24 - Meeting his wife
43:34 - Hustle meets hustle
44:41 - Balancing success and relationships
45:58 - Partnership over ego
47:32 - Fame changes everything
48:05 - Blocking out the noise
49:02 - From music to full-time real estate
50:05 - Why real estate is a safe bet
51:12 - Risk vs. reward lessons
52:36 - Using street smarts in business
53:37 - Lessons from OGs: "Do more telling than asking"
54:42 - Teaching kids independence
55:32 - Raising daughters vs. sons
56:31 - Advice for those coming home
57:53 - Surroundings and environment matter
58:36 - Giving flowers to those who made it out
59:59 - Greatness and legacy
1:01:06 - Teaching kids real estate
1:02:29 - Opportunities for partnerships
1:03:33 - Helping friends level up
1:04:36 - Building new circles in Atlanta
1:05:52 - Smart friends and growth
1:06:16 - As advertised: Real recognizes real
1:07:03 - Inspiration from Malcolm X
1:08:02 - Taking every class for early release
1:08:33 - Federal contracts meet real estate
1:09:35 - Affordable housing and hedge funds
1:10:19 - Cutting out the middleman
1:11:03 - Final thoughts: Authenticity and flowers
1:12:27 - Success is about teamwork
1:13:12 - Encouragement to keep going
1:14:05 - Final wrap-up and lessons
1:16:04 - Genius of the streets
1:16:57 - Elon Musk on street smarts
1:17:30 - Closing remarks and outro

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