Mendeecees Harris stands roughly 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall (approx. 1.73m to 1.75m), a detail that frequently interests fans watching his television appearances. While internet searches often mislabel him as a professional rapper, his actual footprint in the entertainment industry spans music management, entrepreneurship, real estate, and reality television. Best known for his prominent role on VH1's Love & Hip Hop franchise alongside his wife Yandy Smith, Harris has lived a life defined by high-profile media success, major business ventures, and significant legal challenges.
Understanding his journey requires looking past superficial internet stats and exploring how a kid from Harlem built a multifaceted career, navigated federal prison time, and reshaped his public image.
Early Life and Business Roots in Harlem
Born on October 26, 1978, in Harlem, New York, Mendeecees Harris grew up in a household with roots in Panama. Raised primarily in New York City, he didn't start out in the recording booth as an artist. Instead, his early professional life focused on the real estate sector. Working as a realtor gave him foundational business instincts that he later applied to other ventures.
Before reality television brought him household-name recognition, Harris pivoted toward the city's vibrant hip-hop culture. He established the Beat Factory, a popular music-recording studio located in the Bronx. Through this studio and independent networking, he transitioned into music management, working closely with underground and emerging New York rap talent.
Rise to Prominence on Love & Hip Hop
Harris entered mainstream pop culture consciousness when he joined the cast of Love & Hip Hop: New York during its third season. His on-screen presence was defined largely by his high-profile relationship with music executive and cast member Yandy Smith.
Their relationship played out across multiple seasons, showcasing both personal triumphs and intense scrutiny. In 2015, the couple cemented their reality television legacy with a live, televised wedding special on VH1 titled Love & Hip Hop Live: The Wedding.
Despite online misconceptions tagging him as a chart-topping recording artist, Harris operated primarily behind the scenes as a manager, entrepreneur, and personality. His crossover appeal eventually led to appearances across different franchises, including a later run on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta.
Legal Troubles and Federal Imprisonment
Any accurate overview of Harris's life must address the legal hardships that interrupted his career. In 2015, Harris pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges involving a conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine across several states.
He was subsequently sentenced to eight years in federal prison. The case made massive headlines because it coincided with the height of his television fame. During his incarceration, Yandy Smith-Harris publicly advocated for criminal justice reform while managing their family and business affairs. Harris served a significant portion of his sentence before being released from federal custody, after which he immediately worked to reintegrate himself into family life and television production.
Family Life and Modern Ventures
Today, Mendeecees Harris focuses heavily on his family, rehabilitation, and rebuilding his business portfolio. He shares two children with Yandy Smith—a son named Omere and a daughter named Skylar. He also has children from previous relationships, maintaining an active presence in all of their lives.
Outside of television, Harris channels his energy into real estate ventures, commercial partnerships, and community outreach. Having experienced the federal correctional system firsthand, he has previously spoken to at-risk youth about avoiding the pitfalls of the street economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mendeecees Harris a professional rapper?
No. While he managed rap artists and owned a recording studio in the Bronx, Harris is an entrepreneur, real estate investor, and reality television star, not a performing music artist.
What is Mendeecees Harris's net worth?
While various celebrity finance blogs estimate his net worth to be around $5 million, exact figures fluctuate due to legal fees, restitution requirements stemming from his 2015 case, and ongoing television contracts.
Are Mendeecees and Yandy still married?
Yes, Mendeecees and Yandy Smith-Harris remain married, having navigated both his prison sentence and public scrutiny together. You can follow updates on their family life via official platforms like VH1.
How long was Mendeecees in prison?
Harris was sentenced to 96 months (eight years) in federal prison in December 2015, though he served a modified sentence and was released early to a halfway house and subsequent supervised release.
