Mendeecees Harris was born on October 26, 1978, making him 47 years old. Best known for his central role on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: New York, he built his public persona around real estate entrepreneurship, music management, and a heavily documented relationship with Yandy Smith.
Beyond reality television fame, his life has played out across legal battles, a high-profile federal prison sentence, and subsequent reinvention. While internet searches frequently fixate on his exact age and background, the full story spans business ventures in the Bronx, years behind bars, and a shifting family dynamic.
Early Life and Roots in New York
Growing up in Harlem and various parts of New York City, Mendeecees Harris developed an early hustle mentality long before television cameras tracked his moves. Born to Panamanian parents, he navigated an urban landscape that shaped his entry into the entertainment and real estate sectors.
Before joining the cast of Love & Hip Hop, Harris worked as a music manager and real estate investor. He established Beat Factory Studio in the Bronx, working closely with local underground hip-hop artists and industry figures. This era laid the groundwork for his connections to the New York music scene, but it also intersected with the darker, high-risk lifestyle that later caught up with him legally.
The Reality TV Breakthrough
Harris joined VH1's Love & Hip Hop: New York during its third season, instantly capturing viewer attention alongside Yandy Smith. Their storyline initially framed them as a power couple navigating the pressures of the entertainment industry, blending business ambitions with domestic life.
However, the reality TV narrative rarely stayed smooth. The show captured complex relationship dynamics involving his children from previous relationships, tension with former partners, and the looming threat of federal indictments. Rather than hiding his legal troubles, the show documented how federal drug trafficking charges threatened to dismantle his family.
Legal Troubles and Prison Sentence
In 2015, Harris pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges. Court documents revealed that he helped coordinate the transportation of narcotics from New York City to Rochester, New York, between 2006 and 2008.
Sentenced to 85 months in federal prison, his incarceration shifted the dynamic of his public life. While he served time, Yandy Smith maintained a visible campaign advocating for prison reform and holding down their household. Harris was released from federal custody in January 2020 after serving approximately four years. His release marked a transition back to family life and television screens, including appearances on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta.
Family and Relationship History
Harris shares a blended family with multiple children. His relationship with Yandy Smith became one of the franchise's defining fixtures. The couple held a lavish, televised wedding special in 2015, though it later emerged that they did not legally file their marriage paperwork at the time—a decision Yandy explained as a protective measure against his pending legal liabilities.
Over the years, the pair faced ongoing public scrutiny regarding the true strength of their bond. Following years of speculation and shifting dynamics documented across various reality spinoffs, public statements confirmed that they separated, closing a major chapter of their shared public life while continuing to co-parent.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mendeecees Harris born?
He was born on October 26, 1978, in Manhattan, New York City.
How long was Mendeecees Harris in prison?
He served approximately four years in federal custody following a 2015 guilty plea related to drug trafficking charges, before his release in January 2020.
How many children does Mendeecees Harris have?
He has five children from various relationships, including children with Yandy Smith and previous partners.
Is Mendeecees Harris still on Love & Hip Hop?
He transitioned across multiple franchises within the network, including prominent stints on Love & Hip Hop: New York and Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, alongside couples' retreat specials.
