A memory controller stores data comprising a plurality of data blocks in a first memory tier by data striping data on data drives of a first drive type. The memory controller determines a first parity for at least one data stripe of a plurality of data stripes, stores the first parity in one of data drives of the first drive type, determines a plurality of second parities for the at least one data stripe of the plurality of data stripes, and stores the second parities in a second memory tier.