Flavor Flav is a big fan of the new generation of hip-hop and music at large, as he’s always made some heartening appraisals of the next wave of artists. Sadly, his most recent message for a current superstar of the contemporary era is one provoked by negative attacks and allegedly defamatory practices. Moreover, readers may have heard that Megan Thee Stallion recently blasted folks who allegedly created and spread an A.I.-generated fake sex tape online. Flav took to Twitter on Sunday (June 9), to defend the Houston rapper and to call for more humane treatment of artists.
“Y’all leave this QUEEN alone,” Flavor Flav demanded. “entertainers are here to entertain and bring y’all happiness,,, we ain’t doing it at the cost of our own. This is why we can’t have nice things. SMH.” Furthermore, this isn’t the only recent defense of an artist that the Public Enemy legend engaged with. For example, he recently defended and supported country artist Jelly Roll’s decision to leave social media, praising his commitment to activism and community support through his music and endeavors.
Y’all leave this QUEEN alone,,, entertainers are here to entertain and bring y’all happiness,,, we ain’t doing it at the cost of our own. This is why we can’t have nice things. SMH https://t.co/bIWE0DCcra
Elsewhere, Flavor Flav’s comments are a wider indication of the current discourse around Megan Thee Stallion, which is undeservingly critical and understandably skeptical at certain points. Still, one argument that seems particularly divisive online concerns the question of whether or not she’s an “arena artist,” a notion that Charlamagne Tha God disagrees with. In fact, Tina Snow even seemed to shade him and other critics of her tour, commercial performance, and stage presence. Sure, maybe it’s not as consistent as other acts, but look at any footage from this trek and you will see spectacles and crowds fit for massive platforms.
Meanwhile, another big subject of Flavor Flav’s defense is Taylor Swift, and Mary J. Blige recently commented on his comparison between the two. Whether or not he will continue his fandom for Megan Thee Stallion as he has as a Swiftie is another question entirely. But the New York native posits an important consideration for audiences to uphold the respectful and non-invasive relationship between artists and fans. As much as that seems impossible these days, there are very clear lines that far too many folks continue to ignore.
Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy protection in May, but don’t worry, Flavor Flav is here to save the day. Flav pulled up to a Red Lobster with his family and ordered every menu item.
“Ya boy said he wuz gonna do everything to help Red Lobster and save the Cheddar Bay Biscuits,,, ordered the whole menu,” Flav wrote on Instagram.
In May, Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy protection and closed numerous locations nationwide. According to The AP, despite these challenges, the company remains committed to keeping its 600 restaurants operational as it seeks a buyer.
Taylor Swift continues to be on top of the world. Overnight she released her new album The Tortured Poets Department. After weeks of teasing, the record leaked a few days in advance of its release but she had a pretty great response. Just two hours after dropping the album, she revealed that it was actually a double album and unleashed an entire second half of the project with 15 more songs. Amid a sea of Taylor discussion, Mary J Blige reacted to being compared to the biggest star in music.
The comparison came from Flavor Flav, who revealed himself to be one of the most surprising Swifties out there. He stopped by a show on her eras tour last year and then spoke about the pop star during a radio interview earlier this year. Now Blige is reacting to the comparison during a recent interview with People. “I mean, I love Taylor Swift. She sings about what’s going on in her life. It’s kind of similar because she definitely gives you a piece of a relationship in a minute and whatever she may be dealing with. And that’s just her therapy. That’s just her way of expressing herself through her song, and people relate, Blige said. Check out her full interview discussion Swift, her next album, and more below.
Blige continued discussing the comparison between her and Swift. “It’s definitely kind of the same thing. I use my music as my therapy and a way to escape, or a way to express myself and just say how I’m feeling. What else are we going to do?” she concluded.
Last year, Mary J Blige shut down rumors that she was going to do a “Verzuz” in hilarious fashion. “I could put the What’s The 411 album on and just walk away,” she said when asked about it. What do you think of Mary J Blige’s reaction to Flavor Flav comparing her to Taylor Swift? Do you agree with the two artists having similar songwriting styles? Let us know in the comment section below.
Flavor Flav, born William Jonathan Drayton Jr., is an American musician, rapper, actor, and television personality. He became a hip-hop icon as a member of Public Enemy, one of the most formidable rap groups of the late 20th century. According to Wealthy Gorilla, as of 2024, Flavor Flav’s net worth is estimated at $2 million, a testament to his enduring influence and career longevity in the entertainment industry. This figure encapsulates a career that has spanned several decades, during which Flavor Flav has not only left his mark on music but has also ventured into reality TV, business, and acting, showcasing his versatility and ability to adapt to the changing landscapes of fame and entertainment.
From Public Enemy To Reality TV Star
Chuck D, Flavor Flav and Terminator X, members of the hip hop group. Public Enemy, photographed on May 1, 1987. (Photo by Jack Mitchell/Getty Images)
Flavor Flav’s journey to fame began in the mid-1980s when he co-founded Public Enemy. It is a group known for its politically charged lyrics and powerful social commentary, encapsulated in albums like It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back and Fear of a Black Planet. Flav’s role as the hype man, known for his clock necklace and energetic persona, complemented Chuck D’s potent lyrics, making Public Enemy a distinctive voice in hip-hop. Their influence extended beyond music, contributing significantly to the social movements of the time. However, Flavor Flav’s career trajectory unexpectedly turned in the 2000s when he ventured into reality TV. His appearances on shows such as The Surreal Lifeand Flavor of Loveintroduced him to a new generation of fans, showcasing his flamboyant personality and knack for entertainment beyond music.
Entrepreneurial Ventures & Acting
Flavor Flav, standing with rapper Tupac Shakur, greets fans backstage during the. 1989 American Music Awards, Los Angeles, California, January 30, 1989. (Photo by Clarence Gatson/Gado/Getty Images)
Additionally, Flavor Flav has explored various business ventures, including launching Flavor Flav’s Chicken & Ribs restaurant in Michigan. Although his business endeavors have met with mixed success, they underscore his willingness to diversify his career portfolio. His acting credits include appearances on several television shows and movies, further illustrating his multifaceted talent. Though not as defining as his music and reality TV careers, these roles have contributed to his net worth and public profile.
Legacy & Influence
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 26: Flavor Flav attends the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Flavor Flav’s legacy in the music industry is indelible. His work with Public Enemy pushed the boundaries of hip-hop, addressing issues of race, inequality, and justice that are still relevant today. His transition into television broadened his appeal and showcased his adaptability, earning him a place in the pantheon of entertainment personalities who have successfully bridged music and television. Despite controversies and challenges, Flavor Flav remains a figure of significant influence, with a career that continues to inspire discussions about the intersections of music, culture, and fame.
Yeaaaaaa boy! Flavor Flav is headed back to reality TV. One of the best reality stars of all time has announced he will lead a show based on his obtaining his high school diploma.
According to TMZ, Flav has continued to dream about getting his diploma despite success in the Hip-hOp world. You can hear it all from Flav below.
Flavor Flav is a known Swiftie, but he also loves Billie Eilish. The famed Public Enemy hypeman was at an Oscar after-party two Sundays ago and gifted Eilish a Barbie-themed clock.
Flavor Flav gifted a custom clock necklace to Billie Eilish at the Oscars after party following her history-making win to become the youngest two-time winner of all time! More on JustJared.com. #BillieEilish#FlavorFlav
Earlier in the night, Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell became the youngest to win their second Oscar. The siblings won for “What Was I Made For?” from the Barbie Soundtrack. Previously, they won for “No Time to Die” from the James Bond soundtrack.
In 1959, William Jonathan Drayton, better known to the world as Flavor Flav, was born in NYC. Flav is the former hypeman of the iconic Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame Hip-Hop group Public Enemy.
Growing up in Freeport, Long Island, a young Flavor developed his love for music, teaching himself to play the piano, drums, and guitar independently. In Long Island, a young adult, Flav met Chuck Ridenhour, who later became known as Chuck D, the frontman of Public Enemy. The two linked at Adelphi University on the Island, where the two attended college and learned about each other’s love for Hip Hop.
As one of the founding members of PE, Flav was there in 1984 when the song “Public Enemy #1” was recorded, the first known track by the group. In 1986, the crew signed with Rick Rubin on Def Jam. However, Rubin did not initially want to sign Flav because he didn’t understand his role in the group.
Ever since PE’s debut album Yo! Bum Rush The Show, Flav was the hype jester to the ultra-serious, politically charged group, including Chuck D, Terminator X, and a security force known as the S1Ws. Songs such as “Fight The Power,” “911 Is A Joke”, and “I Can’t Do Nothin’ For Ya Man” featured the comedic darts of Flav, which brought a balance to PE.
Drugs and domestic issues hindered Flav for a short while during his career. However, he bounced back into the public eye as a reality show pioneer, with shows like Surreal Life and The Flavor Of Love breaking ground in reality TV. Earlier this year, Chuck D announced that Flavor Flav was indefinitely fired from the group for his response to PE publicly endorsing Sen. Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Presidential race.
Big ups to Flav on his born day, and TheSource.com wishes the Flavor Man many more!
Flavor Flav is a known Swiftie, but he also loves Billie Eilish. The famed Public Enemy hypeman was at an Oscar after-party on Sunday and gifted Eilish a Barbie-themed clock.
Flavor Flav gifted a custom clock necklace to Billie Eilish at the Oscars after party following her history-making win to become the youngest two-time winner of all time! More on JustJared.com. #BillieEilish#FlavorFlav
Earlier in the night, Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell became the youngest to win their second Oscar. The siblings won for “What Was I Made For?” from the Barbie Soundtrack. Previously, they won for “No Time to Die” from the James Bond soundtrack.
“A lot of people been asking me, ‘When is Public Enemy going to reunite?’” Flav said. “We never broke up to reunite. We just took a long break.”
“There wasn’t no beef,” he added. “I love my partner, man. And I know he loves me, too. You know what I’m saying? Sometimes, you know, you don’t see eye to eye on everything.”
Flavor Flav and Chuck D had a brief reunion to perform at the iHeartRadio Music Festival back in September. To be fair, it also hasn’t been that long since Public Enemy dropped a new album, as their last one was in 2020 with What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down?. During their recent concert, they even premiered “Everywhere Man,” a new single that they have planned for a future release.
“One thing about me and Chuck, we always manage to pull it back together to see eye to eye and to keep moving forward,” Flavor Flav pointed out about their specific dynamic.
Check out the clip of Flavor Flav discussing how he feels about Chuck D above.
Public Enemy is one of the most revolutionary early hip hop acts of all time. The group stands beside the likes of N.W.A. and X-Clan for their politically charged rhetoric and lyrics. With critically acclaimed hits such as “Fight The Power” and “911 Is A Joke,” the group is a significant influence on rap acts today. Though several members have come and gone throughout the years, co-founders Chuck D and Flavor Flav have been ever-present forces.
Public Enemy’s first four LPs have all received platinum or gold certification from the RIAA, and they are widely recognized as the most acclaimed discography of any hip-hop act, praised by critics and fans. As a group, Public Enemy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. Further, the group received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 62nd Grammy Awards ceremony. Since their formation in the late 1980s, each member of the group has gone on to achieve massive success.
Terminator X
CHICAGO – JULY 1990: DJ Terminator X and rapper Flavor Flav of Public Enemy signs autographs and greets fans backstage prior to their performance at the U.I.C. Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois in July 1990. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Terminator X served as the original turntablist for Public Enemy, crafting iconic scratches and beat selections for the group. Unfortunately, a 1994 motorcycle accident left him permanently injured and unable to focus on the group full-time. In 1998, the DJ retired to his home, where he continued to raise African black ostriches. After leaving the group, X took a step back from the limelight, choosing to live outside the public view.
As a founding member of Public Enemy, X received honors alongside the group, including their Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Further, the group credited him on their 2015 release, “Man Plans God Laughs.” The former DJ married Robin Dugger in 2018.
DJ Lord
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 18: DJ Lord of Public Enemy performs onstage during the 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on April 18, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Kane/WireImage)
After Terminator X left the group in 1998, the remaining members of Public Enemy began a search for his replacement. After witnessing his set at a Vestax Battle in 1999, Professor Griff, an on-again-off-again member of Public Enemy, recruited DJ Lord. Lord has since appeared as the group’s full-time DJ, taking on the turntable at subsequent world tours and reunion shows. In recent years, DJ Lord has collaborated with other rap groups, including 2MP, Prophets of Rage, and Cypress Hill. In 2019, he joined Cypress Hill on tour, maintaining the boards and taking on a solo set before the headlining act.
Professor Griff
Professor Griff is easily the most controversial member of the group. The so-called Minister of Information for Public Enemy has been embroiled in controversy over the years due to his homophobic and antisemitic statements, causing him to have an on-again-off-again relationship with the PE brand. Following his departure from Public Enemy, Griff continued his solo spoken word career. He also penned several books espousing his philosophy and knowledge. In 2017, Professor Griff married Kansas City femcee Solé.
Flavor Flav
NEW YORK – 1989: Rapper Flavor Flav of the rap group ‘Public Enemy’ at the filming of a video for their song ‘Fight The Power’ directed by Spike Lee in 1989 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Flavor Flav is a household name due to his larger-than-life persona, eccentric style, and tenure as a reality television star. Like many rap pioneers, Flav has invested his hip hop wealth into a host of thriving businesses, including numerous restaurants across the country. The Public Enemy founder also starred in television ventures, including The Surreal Life, Strange Love, Flavor Of Love, I Love New York, and I Love Money. Flavor Flav was also the subject of a Comedy Central roast in 2007.
In 2020, Public Enemy was scheduled to perform at a campaign rally for Bernie Sanders, without Flavor Flav. Flav’s attorneys reportedly sent the hip hop group a cease and desist letter, alleging that they could not utilize the Public Enemy brand without Flav’s consent, which he would not provide for the event. Following this, lawyers from both parties presented a series of litigious arguments, ultimately leading to Chuck D allegedly expelling Flav from the group entirely.
Chuck D
Shortly after the feud, Chuck D revealed that Flavor Flav’s firing was a hoax, designed to stir up media attention. The apparent hoax was intended as a commentary on media disinformation, according to the Public Enemy founders. During the legal discussions, it was revealed that Chuck D is the sole owner of the trademark and title “Public Enemy,” aligning with his de facto leadership position in the group. Despite this, they continued to create music together as a team.
In 2019, Chuck D received over $1 million in unpaid royalty money from Terrordome Music and Reach Music Publishing after pursuing legal action against them. The rapper has also appeared in numerous television outings, feature verses with other rappers, and political events. Most recently, Chuck released a four-part docuseries on PBS titled Fight The Power: How Hip Hop Changed The World. The PBS series aired in February 2023 to mostly positive reviews. The Public Enemy founder has remained a political rap figurehead for generations and left an indelible mark on history through his contributions to culture and art.
Flavor Flav is a rap legend thanks to his work in Public Enemy. He’s also a reality TV icon thanks to his multiple shows, including Flavor Of Love. One thing Flav isn’t necessarily known for is his singing abilities, but he put them center stage this weekend to sing the National Anthem at a Milwaukee Bucks game yesterday (October 29).
The NBA team shared a video of the performance on X (formerly Twitter) and it has proven popular, racking up 3.8 million views in the 13 hours since it was uploaded. Not long after he left the court, Flav seemingly anticipated some negative feedback coming his way, as he tweeted, “The anthem was a long time bucket list item,,, that was fun! I can’t live my life worried about what people might say about me. I won’t let that stop me from trying new things and doing things I wanna do. Some people might not like that. But a sure failure is if you stop trying.”
The anthem was a long time bucket list item,,, that was fun!
I can’t live my life worried about what people might say about me. I won’t let that stop me from trying new things and doing things I wanna do. Some people might not like that. But a sure failure is if you stop trying.
Feedback was mixed: Some took exception to Flav’s vocal performance, while others were happy to see him putting his heart into the performance. One user called on fellow Public Enemy member Chuck D, tweeting, “I bet @MrChuckD is laughing his ass off.” Chuck responded, “Well I’ll put it to you this way .. Flav moved his opinion with The Obamas and VP Harris. I think a bit different on it. My father was a hardcore US Marine. When he passed in 2016 they came out played taps & folded the flag. The context must always be presented upon the action you see. I wrote each of MY songs with deep detailed meaning so you cannot listen to PE with a cavalier EAR and mindset.”
Well I’ll put it to you this way .. Flav moved his opinion with The Obamas and VP Harris. I think a bit different on it. My father was a hardcore US Marine. When he passed in 2016 they came out played taps & folded the flag. The context must always be presented upon the action…
Chuck also recently posted about how Flav has been doing lately, writing, “Some social talk out there on @FlavorFlav about his management. Truth is They cleaned his life up. These past 5 years Period. If thats what it takes to get him away from the bulsht elements so be it. Bulsht street sht that has us RIP at stupid funerals for 50 and unders many times a year now. I don’t GAF if he moves In Taylor Swifts house.. HES 64 many are crumbling younger. He is doing well and best I’ve ever seen him.”
Some social talk out there on @FlavorFlav about his management. Truth is They cleaned his life up. These past 5 years Period. If thats what it takes to get him away from the bulsht elements so be it. Bulsht street sht that has us RIP at stupid funerals for 50 and unders many…
(@flavorflavofficial)
