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{{Short description|American hip hop artist (born 1959)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{About|the New York musician|the musician's self-titled album|Flavor Flav (album)|the Bay Area rapper named Flav|Armani Depaul}}
{{Infobox musical artist {{Infobox musical artist
|Name = Flavor Flav | name = Flavor Flav
| image = Flavor Flav of Public Enemy.jpg
|Img = Flavor_Flav%28tv%29.jpg
| caption = Flav performing at ] in 2014
|Img_capt = Flav on October, 2006 during '']''
| background = person
|Img_size = 250
| birth_name = William Jonathan Drayton Jr.
|Background = solo_singer
| alias =
|Birth_name = William Jonathan Drayton Jr.
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1959|3|16}}
|Alias = Flava Flav, Flav, MC DJ Flavor Flav
| birth_place = ], U.S.
|Born = ], ]<ref name="VH1 Bio">{{cite web | url = http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/flavor_flav/bio.jhtml | accessdate = 2006-10-28 | author = Jason Ankeny | title = VH1 Bio | publisher = vh1.com | date = }}</ref>
| genre = ]
|Died =
| occupations = {{hlist|Rapper|]|television personality}}
|Origin = Roosevelt, Long Island, NY
| years_active = 1985–present
|Instrument = ], ], ], ], ], ]<ref name="Chuck D. Interview">{{cite web | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HklVsjJv3y0 | accessdate = 2006-10-28 | author = Unknown | title = Chuck D. Interview | publisher = Youtube.com | date = }}</ref>
|Genre = ] | current_member_of = ]
| website =
|Occupation =
|Years_active =
|Label =
}} }}
'''William Jonathan Drayton Jr.''' (born March 16, 1959),<ref name="Anken">{{cite web|last = Ankeny|first = Jason|url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p76462/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title = Flavor Flav: Biography|work = ]|access-date = March 5, 2008}}</ref> known by his stage name '''Flavor Flav'''{{efn|The correct spelling is Flavor, and he dislikes being referred to as Flava<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2024-08-02|title=Instagram|url=https://www.instagram.com/flavorflavofficial/p/C-E_dXftDLm/|website=www.instagram.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://x.com/FlavorFlav/status/1794861334271766717 | title=FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) on X | work=X (formerly Twitter) }}</ref>}} ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|l|eɪ|v|ər|_|ˌ|f|l|eɪ|v}} {{respell|FLAY|vər|_|FLAYV}}), is an American ] artist. Known for his ] "''Yeah, boyeeeeee!''" when performing,<ref name="TMB082208">{{cite web |last=Rowland |first=Marijke |date=August 22, 2008 |title=Flavor Flav's Modesto block party |url=http://www.modbee.com/local/v-print/story/401836.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204122142/http://www.modbee.com/local/v-print/story/401836.html |archive-date=February 4, 2009 |access-date=January 13, 2009 |publisher=The Modesto Bee |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="TG061806">{{cite news |last=Davis |first=Johnny |date=June 18, 2006 |title=Hip-hop, you don't stop |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/jun/18/urban |access-date=January 13, 2009}}</ref> he is a founding member, alongside ], of ], a rap group that has earned six ] nominations,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flavor Flav |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/flavor-flav/2549 |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=GRAMMY.com}}</ref> and has been inducted into the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Public Enemy {{!}} Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |url=https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/public-enemy |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=www.rockhall.com}}</ref>


After spending several years out of the limelight, Flav starred in multiple ] reality series, including '']'', '']'', and '']''.
'''William Jonathan Drayton Jr.''' (born ], ])<ref name="VH1 Bio">{{cite web | url = http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/flavor_flav/bio.jhtml | accessdate = 2006-10-28 | author = Unknown | title = VH1 Bio | publisher = vh1.com | date = }}</ref>, professionally known as '''Flavor Flav''', is an American ] artist and television star. He is a founding member of the influential politically conscious ] group ]. After falling from the public eye, he has recently regained fame as a star of American reality television. He has starred in a series of highly-rated VH-1 programs, most recently the ] series.


==Early life and education==
==Biography==
Drayton was born in ], and grew up in nearby ], two communities within the ]. Drayton is the cousin of former ] player Shep Garner,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://nypost.com/2018/02/28/inside-the-bond-that-has-made-flavor-flav-penn-states-no-1-fan/ | title = Inside the bond that has made Flavor Flav Penn State's Number 1 fan | date = February 28, 2018 | access-date = March 29, 2018}}</ref> and of ] MC ] of ].<ref>{{cite tweet |user=FlavorFlav |number=274817538691592192 |date= December 1, 2012 |title= Timbo King Y'all ,!!! }}</ref> He is also a cousin of rappers ], ], and ] of the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thejasminebrand.com/2017/11/15/exclusive-flavor-flav-reveals-ol-dirty-bastard-is-his-cousin-prepping-new-show/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Flavor Flav Reveals Ol' Dirty Bastard Is His Cousin + Prepping New Show|website=Thejasminebrand.com|date=November 15, 2017|access-date=June 22, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://krnb.com/shms/2017/11/15/flava-flav-spilled-the-tea-about-odb-being-his-blood-cousin/|title=Flava Flav Spilled the Tea About ODB Being His Blood Cousin|date=November 15, 2017|newspaper=The Steve Harvey Morning Show|access-date=June 22, 2021}}</ref>
Born in ] on ], William Drayton attended high school in ]. He dropped out of high school in his junior year with hopes of becoming an entertainer. Drayton was given his own Saturday night radio show at ]. While rapping at Adelphi under the name '''MC DJ Flavor Flav''', he met a graphic-design student, Carlton Ridenhour (]).


He began teaching himself ] at the age of five,<ref name=GNS041508>{{cite web|first= Mike |last=Hughes |url= http://www.azcentral.com/ent/tv/articles/2008/04/15/20080415flavorflav0415.html|title= Flavor Flav, sitcom-style|publisher= Gannett News Service|date= April 15, 2008|access-date= January 13, 2009}}</ref> and mastered piano, drums and guitar at an early age, while also singing in the youth choir at his church.<ref name=EWbio>{{cite magazine | last=Watson | first=Margeaux | url=https://ew.com/article/2006/08/04/flavor-flav-totally-cuckoo/| title = Flavor Flav: Totally Cuckoo? | magazine=] | date= August 4, 2006 | access-date= January 13, 2009}}</ref> According to ], Drayton is proficient in fifteen instruments.<ref name=TG061806 />
], ], ], and Flavor Flav formed ] and released their debut album '']'' in 1987.


By the time he dropped out of ] in the 11th grade, he had been in and out of jail for robbery and burglary.<ref name=EWbio /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://eater.com/archives/2011/01/24/flavor-flav-opening-a-fried-chicken-restuarant-iowa.php|title=Flavor Flav Opening a Fried Chicken Restaurant in Iowa|website=eater.com|date=January 24, 2011}}</ref>
Flav participated in Public Enemy as second rapper or vocalist (the primary vocalist was Chuck D), and as the band's drummer. His ]ing vocal style has influenced rappers including ] and the late ]. Providing a comic ] to the political message of Chuck D, some credit Flav with the development of the rap ] (often referred to as a "]"). Unlike later practitioners of the hype man role, however, Flav's stage presence and musical contributions were at least as strong as Chuck D's, and his surreally absurd rapping added a humanizing light-heartedness to the group. In addition to the comic and derisive asides he offers on most Public Enemy performances, he has also taken center stage on songs such as "Too Much Posse," the bizarre and unforgettable "Cold Lampin' with Flava," and "]," which provided one of the group's most colorful ]s. On the group's 1998 "comeback" single--following a four-year hiatus--"He Got Game," the title song to a contemporaneous film by ], Flav performs essentially a duet with Chuck D.


Drayton attended culinary school in 1978.<ref name= TG061806 /> Later, he attended ] on ], where he met ] (who later became known as ]).<ref name=TMB082208 /> They first collaborated on Chuck D's hip-hop ] show, then began rapping together.<ref name=EWbio /> Drayton's stage name Flavor Flav was originally his ] tag.<ref name= TG061806 />
Flav often wears a ] around his neck, stating that observers will "know what time it is." The clock became one of Flav's trademarks, along with comic ]. Flav credits himself as having been the originator of the current ] craze in ] fashion.{{cite needed}} Flav acknowledges that his style is bizarre, and he is proud of his distinctiveness. Another of Flav's trademarks is his catchphrase, a loud and exaggerated "Yeeeeaaaahhhh Booooyyyy!"


==Career==
Flav has reportedly completed two solo albums, both of which were rejected by his record label,<ref>http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/flavor_flav/bio.jhtml</ref> ]. A third LP, ''It's About Time'', was due to be released in 1999 but never appeared. A fourth album, "Hollywood," is scheduled for release on October 31, 2006.


===Music===
Flav has six children. Their names are Shaniq, Karen, Designa, Kwan, William, and Kayla. He also has two grandchildren, Brianna and Matthew. Both grandchildren belong to his daughter Shaniq. <ref>http://www.realitynewsonline.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=1&article=article6503.art&page=1</ref>
{{main|Public Enemy}}


Flavor Flav (often referred to as "Flav") came to prominence as a founding member and ] of the rap group ], which he co-founded in 1985 with ].<ref name="usatoday">{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/03/01/flavor-flav-slams-bernie-sanders-campaign-promoting-public-enemy-show/4923987002/|title=Public Enemy is 'moving forward without Flavor Flav' after Bernie Sanders rally dispute|work=]|access-date=March 6, 2020|language=en}}</ref> A year later, the group released "Public Enemy #1", which brought them to the attention of ] executive ]. Rubin initially did not understand Flav's role in the act and wanted to sign Chuck D as a solo act; however, Chuck D insisted that Flav be signed with them and the two were signed to Def Jam.<ref name=GNS041508 />
On October 23, 2006, Flav revealed on the nationally syndicated ''] Morning Show'' that "a shorty in Vegas" was carrying his seventh baby and is due any minute. This new baby will bring Flav one child closer to his goal of having ten kids. <ref>http://www.vibe.com/blog/vc/2006/10/after_taste_flavor_of_love_2_r_1.html</ref>
] shoot in New York City]] The group's first album '']'' was released in 1987. Flav served as the ] to Chuck D's serious, politically charged style.<ref name=EWbio />


The group gained much wider fame with their following release, 1988's '']'', which went double platinum. By the time the political single "]" was released in 1989, the group had become mainstream superstars. Along with Chuck D, the showman of the group and its promotional voice, Flav stood out among the members of Public Enemy as he often got the fans excited, appearing on stage and in public wearing big hats and glasses, and a large clock dangling from his neck.
===Reality TV career===


], ] 1991]] The first released track on which Flav rapped solo was "Life of a Nigerian" on ''Goat Ju JU'',{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} although the first hit on which he rapped solo would not come until the 1990 single "]". During Public Enemy's first years of existence, Flav experienced tensions with group-mate ], who never liked Flav's flamboyant stance in what Griff felt should be a serious, politically-challenging group. In 1999, Flavor Flav recorded with ] and ] the single "]". The single stayed for 17 weeks in the top ten of the German charts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SecYu-V6OZ0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/SecYu-V6OZ0 |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|title=DJ TOMEKK "1,2,3 RHYMES GALORE" NEW YORK TO GERMANY HI QUALITY|date=February 11, 2009 |access-date=June 22, 2021|publisher=]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
====Surreal Life====
In ], Flav appeared in the third season of '']'' on ]. During the season, he developed an on-screen relationship with 6' 1" ] actress ], who affectionately called Flav "Foofy Foofy." VH1 continued to explore the couple's odd pairing in a spin-off reality series, called '']''. Due to mutual jealousy, the couple was constantly fighting and yelling. In March 2005, Brigitte ended her relationship with Flavor Flav, choosing instead to live with her Italian boyfriend, Mattia Dessi. The show essentially ended with the end of the relationship.


] In 2006, Flav put out his first solo album, titled ]. It was released during the second season of the reality TV dating show '']''.
===='Strange Love' controversy====
Sometime after the premiere of '']'', Flav came under fire from various organizations and individuals including ]'s Reverend Paul Scott, who labeled Flav's performance a "coon act" on "a modern day ]". Episodes have shown Flav acting up at a Public Enemy concert as well as having confrontations with his children and their mother, who have received no ] from him. Chuck D went so far as to issue a statement denouncing Flav's participation on ''Strange Love''. A petition was set up in conjunction with Chuck D's criticisms in hopes of convincing VH1 to pull the show off of the air. VH1 continued to broadcast the program in spite of protests, which showed Flav and Brigitte going their separate ways in the end.


On March 1, 2020, Public Enemy released a statement saying that the group would be "moving forward without Flavor Flav," following a disagreement over the group's decision to endorse ] and perform at his Los Angeles rally.<ref name="usatoday" /><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |title=Public Enemy Fires Flavor Flav After Bernie Sanders Rally Spat |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/public-enemy-flavor-flav-bernie-sanders-960272/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> Flavor Flav denounced the firing, maintaining that he was Chuck D's partner in Public Enemy and could therefore not be fired from it. On April 1, 2020, ] announced that the firing was a hoax.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Christie D'Zurilla|date=April 1, 2020|title=On April Fools' Day, Public Enemy reveals Flavor Flav's firing was a hoax|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-04-01/chuck-d-flavor-flav-firing-public-enemy-radio|access-date=September 8, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> Flavor Flav stated shortly thereafter that he was not a part of the hoax and disapproved of the stunt.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Lisa Respers France|title=Chuck D says Flavor Flav firing was a stunt, but Flav disagrees|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/02/entertainment/chuck-d-flavor-flav-hoax/index.html|access-date=September 8, 2020|website=CNN|date=April 2, 2020 }}</ref>
====Flavor of Love====
More recently, Drayton has taken a role as the star of the VH1 reality series '']''. The show premiered on ], ]. It features Flav and 20 women (reduced to 15 in the first show, and then 10 after the ] airing) from which he will eventually choose one (in the style of '']''). The show started with an effort to paint Flav in a good light. Several times on the show, he expresses a desire to settle down, find a companion, and have more children.


===Television===
{{spoiler}}
After a hiatus from the music scene, Flavor Flav was invited to participate on ] reality show '']''. During this show, he developed a relationship with actress and singer ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/09/fashion/can-this-hookup-survive.html|title=Can This Hook Up Survive?|work=The New York Times|author=Baz Dreisinger|date=January 9, 2005|access-date=April 8, 2020}}</ref> Following the conclusion of ''The Surreal Life'', VH1 gave Flav and Nielsen a show titled '']'', which detailed their globetrotting adventure in love. At the end of ''Strange Love'', Nielsen decided to return to her fiancé, Mattia Dessi.


'']'', which aired for three seasons, is a reality show where Flavor Flav looks for love. The show's success led to spin-offs titled '']'' and '']''. During the third season reunion of ''Flavor of Love'', Flav proposed to Liz, the mother of his youngest son, Karma.<ref name=TG061806 /> The ] ] ] aired on August 12, 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/press/press_releases/2007/cctoroastflavorflav.jhtml|title=Comedy Central Press Release - Roast of Flavor Flav|website=Comedycentral.com|access-date=June 22, 2021|archive-date=June 25, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625171213/http://www.comedycentral.com/press/press_releases/2007/cctoroastflavorflav.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> Guests appearing at the roast included: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].
The first season finale was among the highest-rated shows in VH1 history. The relationship between Flav and first season winner ] ultimately sputtered, though, and Flav and VH1 agreed to do a second season of the ''Flavor of Love''. The second season ends with Flav choosing Deelishis.


Flav played Calvester Hill on the ] comedy series '']'', starring alongside ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/flavor-flav-roof-38626/|title=Flavor Flav Raises Da Roof in New Sitcom
In Fall 2006, Flav and seven of the season two contestants appeared on '']'' to discuss the series.
|work=TV Guide|author=Anna Dimond|date=April 16, 2008|access-date=April 8, 2020}}</ref>


===Recent history=== ===Restaurant owner===
In 2011, Flav partnered with Nick Cimino to open ] in Cimino's hometown of ]. The two had met through Cimino's brother Peter, who runs Mama Cimino's in ] and Castle Rock Bar and Pizzeria in ]. After enjoying Flav's homemade fried chicken,{{r|fassler20110127}} Peter Cimino began selling chicken wings using Flav's recipe.<ref name="clintonherald">{{cite news|url=http://clintonherald.com/local/x530798204/Reality-TV-star-takes-chance-on-Clinton|title=Reality TV star takes chance on Clinton|publisher=]|date=January 11, 2011|access-date=January 25, 2011}}</ref> The founders hoped to start a national ].<ref name=fassler20110127>{{cite news|last=Fassler|first=Joe|title=Flavor Flav vs. KFC: A Dispatch From Flav's Fried Chicken|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/food/archive/2011/01/flavor-flav-vs-kfc-a-dispatch-from-flavs-fried-chicken/70313/2/|access-date=January 30, 2011|newspaper=The Atlantic|date=January 27, 2011}}</ref> A mix of squabbling owners, bounced checks, and bad business decisions led to Flavor Flav's Chicken shutting down barely four months after it opened.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/flavor-flav-closes-fried-chicken-restaurant-in-iowa-99441/|title=Flavor Flav Closes Fried Chicken Restaurant in Iowa|first=Matthew|last=Perpetua|website=Rollingstone.com|date=April 25, 2011|access-date=June 22, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slashfood.com/2011/04/25/flavor-flav-ditches-his-fried-chicken-restaurant/|title=AOL Food - Recipes, Cooking and Entertaining|last=AOL|website=AOL.com|access-date=July 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730024408/http://www.slashfood.com/2011/04/25/flavor-flav-ditches-his-fried-chicken-restaurant|archive-date=July 30, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Flavor Flav was not involved in the restaurant's day-to-day operations; Nick Cimino simply paid for Flavor Flav's license.


Flavor Flav's House of Flavor in Las Vegas opened on Flav's birthday in March 2012.<ref name="The Inquistir">{{cite news|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/206380/flavor-flav-opens-fried-chicken-restaurant-in-las-vegas/|title=Flavor Flav Opens Fried Chicken Restaurant In Las Vegas |access-date=March 16, 2012|work=The Inquistir|date=March 16, 2012}}</ref> Flavor Flav teamed up with Gino Harmon and Salvatore Bitonti to start a national franchise known as Flavor Flav's Chicken & Ribs, which opened December 21, 2012 in ]. The business was not affiliated with the previous two ventures Flavor Flav has had in the restaurant business. Flavor Flav's Chicken & Ribs was a casual dining experience with a ] attitude. Flavor Flav's Chicken & Ribs closed in July 2013 after being evicted by its landlord for failure to pay rent.<ref>{{citation |title=The very last Flavor Flav's Chicken & Ribs location has closed |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-very-last-flavor-flavs-chicken-ribs-location-has-1798239546 |first=Marah |last=Eakin |date=July 26, 2013 |work=] |access-date=July 26, 2013}}.</ref>
*In 2002, Flav was recruited by ]'s hip hop ] upstart Power 105 to do the traffic reports.


===Other TV and media appearances===
*In 2002, Flav was incarcerated on ] for a few months for failure to pay traffic fines. After his release, he moved to ] where he met with the producers of the '']'' who were casting for their third season.<ref> http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/01/fashion/01flav.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2&adxnnl=0&ref=fashion&adxnnlx=1159848509-bsUzFRReJ+XpbhuIecbRYQ </ref>
]
In 2002, Flav appeared in ]'s music video for their song ''You're So Last Summer.'' Flav has appeared as a playable fighter in the 2004 fighting game; '']''. In May 2005, Flav took part in the UK reality TV show '']'' on ].<ref name="farm_men">{{Cite web|url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/tv_and_showbiz/s/158087_did_you_see_the_farm_channel_5_1030pm|title=Did you see?: The Farm|access-date=May 30, 2011|publisher=MEN Media|year=2005|author=Iain Hepburn|archive-date=November 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112182424/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/tv_and_showbiz/s/158087_did_you_see_the_farm_channel_5_1030pm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Also in 2005, Flavor Flav made a guest appearance in the ] ] ] show '']'' as himself, in the debut episode "Birth". On June 14, 2006, Flav's participation, with ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.volunteer-center.org/programs_services/wevr.htm|title=Westchester Emergency Volunteer Reserves-Medical Reserves Corps (WEVR-MRC)|website=Volunteer-center.org|access-date=June 22, 2021|archive-date=February 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205184149/http://www.volunteer-center.org/programs_services/wevr.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> in the ''Lisa Tolliver Show'' celebration of ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nsc.org/nsc_events/Nat_Safe_Month/Pages/home.aspx |title=National Safety Month |publisher=Nsc.org |access-date=April 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140616140514/http://www.nsc.org/nsc_events/Nat_Safe_Month/Pages/home.aspx |archive-date=June 16, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> earned kudos from ] ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/06/21/173419.php |work=Blogcritics |author=Tolliver, Lisa |title=Flavor Flav Celebrates National Safety Month |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213223841/http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/06/21/173419.php |archive-date=February 13, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://tolliveretips.blogspot.com/2006/06/lisa-tolliver-show-guests-flavor-flav.html|work=tolliveretips blog|series=Emergency Preparedness and Safety Tips On Air and Online|title= ''Lisa Tolliver Show'' notes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://lisatolliver.blogspot.com/2006/05/how-my-radio-shows-publications-and.html|work=Lisa Tolliver On Air and Online|title=How my radio shows, publications and PSAs in June 2006 - the 10th anniversary of National Safety Month - will help make the world a safer place |date=May 28, 2006}}</ref>


On November 18, 2009, Flav became a downloadable character in the ]'s video game '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.painthegame.com/Characters/FLAVOR.html|title=Bio Flavor Flav|access-date=March 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425083023/http://www.painthegame.com/Characters/FLAVOR.html|archive-date=April 25, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Flav stars in ]'s horror anthology '']'' and ''Dark Christmas''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/34751/exit-humanity-dvd/|title=Exit Humanity (DVD)|website=Dreadcentral.com|date=June 20, 2012|access-date=June 22, 2021}}</ref> On May 10, 2010, Flav guest hosted the wrestling show '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/special/allspecialguesthosts/upcomingguesthosts |title=TV Shows > Raw > Special Guest Hosts > Upcoming Raw guest hosts |publisher=WWE |date=March 28, 2010 |access-date=April 9, 2010}}</ref> On August 14, 2011, Flav appeared as a host at the twelfth annual ].<ref>{{cite video |people=] (presenter), ] |date=April 11, 2009 |title=Weekly Freekly Weekly Special 2011 Gathering Edition |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy_uj82xKKI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/dy_uj82xKKI |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|format=internet news |publisher=] |location=] |access-date=April 12, 2009 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>
*In ], Flav appeared in the ] video, "You're So Last Summer". The ] bands are a big change from his own musical roots, but the appearance shows his widespread character and appeal. He also appeared in TV spots for the then up-and-coming '']'' show on ] in his signature garb around the same time.


On January 10, 2012, Flav appeared with his longtime fiancée Liz on ABC's '']''. His fiancée traded places with Suzette, the wife of ] front-man ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abc.go.com/shows/celebrity-wife-swap |title=TV Shows |date=March 28, 2010 |access-date=January 10, 2012}}</ref> On February 5, 2012, Flav appeared along with ] in a Pepsi Co. ad during ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/flavor-flav-hugs-tom-coughlin|title=Flavor Flav hugs Tom Coughlin/|website=Sportsgris.com|access-date=June 22, 2021|archive-date=May 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507210637/http://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/flavor-flav-hugs-tom-coughlin/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On February 11, 2012, Flav appeared as an honorary member of the UNLV Rebellion during the ] victory over San Diego State, 65-63. From June to September 2012, Flav co-starred and rapped in the web series ''Dr. Fubalous''.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617063615/http://drfubalous.com/cast/#flavor-flav |date=June 17, 2012 }}, 2012, cast bio for ''Dr. Fubalous''</ref> Flav has also appeared in '']'' as Father Time, and the animated feature '']'', both under the direction of animator ].
*In May 2005 Flav appeared on yet another ], '']'' on UK channel ].


=== Sports ===
*In 2006, Flav is in talks for signing onto the star-studded horror-comedy movie Horrorween.
Flavor Flav sang a widely noted performance of the Star Spangled Banner at the Milwaukee Bucks/Atlanta Hawks game in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Medium |first=Seattle |date=2023-11-01 |title=Flavor Flav's Viral National Anthem Performance Shakes The Internet |url=https://seattlemedium.com/flavor-flavs-viral-national-anthem-performance-shakes-the-internet/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=The Seattle Medium |language=en-US}}</ref> His performance was confusing to some,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-30 |title=Flavor Flav delivers viral national anthem performance at Bucks-Hawks game |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/flavor-flav-delivers-viral-national-anthem-performance-bucks-hawks-gam-rcna122797 |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> but Flavor Flav described the performance as a bucket list item, and a tribute to military veterans.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |date=2023-10-31 |title=Flavor Flav Defends National Anthem Performance, Says He Was Honoring Family in Military |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/flavor-flav-defends-national-anthem-performance-1235459130/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Guy |first=Zoe |date=2023-10-30 |title=God Bless Whoever Booked Flavor Flav for the National Anthem |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/10/flavor-flav-national-anthem-milwaukee-bucks.html |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Vulture |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-31 |title=Flavor Flav's national anthem is a viral hit. It was also a 'long time bucket list item' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-10-31/flavor-flav-national-anthem-milwaukee-bucks-viral |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>


He frequently engages in philanthropy to help struggling Olympic athletes.<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Women's water polo: Flavor Flav to sponsor team for 2024 Paris Olympics &#124; NBC Olympics |url=https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/flavor-flav-hyped-sponsor-us-womens-water-polo-team-paris-olympics-bigger-me}}</ref> Flav helped financially support athletes of the ] amidst their preparations for the ] in Paris, signing a five-year sponsorship deal as the team's official hype man. He travelled to France to personally watch the team play.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-29 |title=How Flavor Flav and Maggie Steffens found a new kind of Olympic synergy |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/of-interest/2024/07/29/flavor-flav-water-polo-maggie-steffens-olympics/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en}}</ref>
*On the night of 4/5 October 2006, Flav was spotted at a ], England student nightclub, dancing to ], ], ] and ]. This transpired to be a ] exercise to promote his image in the UK. {{citation needed}}


Flavor Flav made a custom bronze clock necklace for US Gymnast Jordan Chiles when her Bronze medal was controversially rescinded at the Paris 2024 games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stumbaugh |first=Julia |title=Video: Flavor Flav Shows Off Bronze Clock Made for Jordan Chiles Amid Medal Dispute |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10131780-video-flavor-flav-shows-off-bronze-clock-made-for-jordan-chiles-amid-medal-dispute |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref> He also helped raise money for the family of Paralympic sprinter Nick Mayhugh to travel to Paris to see their relative play, and paid rent for the Olympic Discus Thrower Veronica Fraley during the Olympic games.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Jennings |first1=Penelope |last2=CNN |date=2024-08-16 |title=Flavor Flav helps Paralympic athlete raise money to have parents watch him compete in Paris |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/16/sport/nick-mayhugh-flavor-flav-paris-paralympic-games/index.html |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
==Discography==
]]]
===With Public Enemy===
Flavor Flav is a long time fan of women's sports.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Graham |first=Bryan Armen |date=2024-07-26 |title=How 'girl dad' Flavor Flav became hype man for the US women's water polo team |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/26/how-girl-dad-flavor-flav-became-hype-man-for-the-us-womens-water-polo-team |access-date=2024-09-06 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Flavor Flav has been a notable guest at WNBA games, including performing a call and response tribute to the late Fatman Scoop at a New York Liberty game in September 2024.<ref>https://x.com/ClassicJpow/status/1831851358066286856</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-09-06 |title=Laney-Hamilton returns to starting lineup, helps Liberty to 77-70 win over Storm |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wnba/2024/09/05/wnba-liberty-storm-score/89729d3c-6beb-11ef-86b4-58b1d68922fb_story.html |access-date=2024-09-06 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>
* '']'' (1987)
* '']'' (1988)
* '']'' (video and album, 1989)
* '']'' (1990)
* '']'' (1991)
* '']'' (1994)
* '']'' (1998)
* '']''
* '']'' (1999)
* '']'' (2002)
* '']'' (2005)
* '']'' (2006)


==Personal life and legal issues ==
===Solo albums===
Flavor Flav had his first three children with Karen Ross,{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} three more with Angie Parker,{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} a son with Elizabeth Trujillo, and another child with Kate Gammell.
* ] (2006)


In 1991, Flav pleaded guilty to assaulting his then-girlfriend Karen Ross and served 30 days in jail, lost custody of his children, and fell deeper into addiction.<ref name=EWbio/> In 1993, Flav was charged with attempted murder and imprisoned for 90 days for shooting at his neighbor.<ref name=TG061806/> Later that year, Flav was charged with domestic violence, and cocaine and marijuana charges. His family performed an ], and he checked into the ] for an addiction to crack cocaine.<ref name=TG061806/><ref name=EWbio/> After Flav's father died of complications from diabetes in 1997, Flav decided to re-enter rehabilitation, this time at the Long Island Center for Recovery. At one point, he broke both arms in a motorcycle crash.<ref name=TG061806/>
==Trivia==

{{toomuchtrivia}}
Flavor Flav dated ], and by 2000, he lived in a small apartment in ] with her and her two children from a previous marriage, while making money ] baseball tickets.<ref name=EWbio/> In 2002, Flav spent nine weeks in ] jail for driving with a suspended license, numerous parking tickets, and tardiness for probation appointments.<ref name=TG061806/> Following his release from jail, Flav broke up with Johnson and moved in with his mother on Long Island.
*Flavor Flav has six children and, as of November 2006, is expecting his seventh. He would like three more before he dies.

*Flav's current mate is London Charles (Deelishis).
Chuck D became concerned about his friend's well-being and, toward the end of 2003, suggested Flav move to ]. Flav moved into his friend Princess' apartment, and within months met ] and ], the creators and executive producers of the reality television series '']''. The pair sought him out as soon as they heard Flav had moved to Los Angeles. Seeing that he had remained free from his previous addictions, they wanted to cast him. Initially Flav refused, feeling the show was for celebrities past their prime. He was eventually convinced to join by previous participant ].<ref name=EWbio/>
*Flav went to jail more than once.

*Flav was trained as a classical pianist when he was a child.
On May 2, 2011, Flav was arrested on four outstanding misdemeanor warrants for various driving offenses.<ref name="Edecio Martinez">{{cite news|title=Rapper Flavor Flav arrested in Las Vegas on misdemeanor warrants|author= Martinez, Edecio|date=May 2, 2011|access-date=May 3, 2011|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rapper-flavor-flav-arrested-in-las-vegas-on-misdemeanor-warrants/|work=]}}</ref> Police said Flav had two outstanding arrest warrants for driving without a license, one for driving without insurance, and one related to a parking citation.<ref name="Edecio Martinez"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Flavor Flav arrested after traffic stop in Vegas|date=May 2, 2011 |url=https://www.today.com/news/flavor-flav-arrested-after-traffic-stop-vegas-wbna42863639|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110508001925/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/42863639/ns/today-entertainment/t/flavor-flav-arrested-after-traffic-stop-vegas/|url-status=live|archive-date=May 8, 2011}}</ref> Flav has since been released.<ref name="Edecio Martinez"/> In June 2011, Flav said on the ]n radio show '']'' that when his drug problem was at its worst, he would spend up to US$2,600 a day on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://austereo.castmetrix.net/podcast/378302368699185950/1/TheKyleandJackieOShow.mp3|title=このURLのページは表示することが出来ませんでした。 IP分散サーバーならIQサーバー｜クラスCの完全分散が月額139円～|website=austereo.castmetrix.net}}</ref>
*Flav attended ] in ].

*Flav rapped under the alias MC DJ Flavor.
As of October 2012, Elizabeth Trujillo, the mother of Flav's son, Karma, lived with Flav in Las Vegas and had been his fiancée for eight years.<ref name=cnn2012>{{cite web | url = http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/17/showbiz/flavor-flav-arrest/ | title=Flavor Flav arrested on assault, battery charges | publisher =] | date= October 18, 2012 | access-date= April 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blackcelebkids.com/2007/12/13/meet-flavor-flavs-youngest-son|title=Flavor Fav and newborn 7th kid in Hawaii|website=Blackcelebkids.com|access-date=June 22, 2021}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blackcelebkids.com/2008/06/12/flavor-flav-fiancee-liz-and-baby-karma-take-in-a-concert-in-vegas/ |title=Black Celebrity Kids, babies, and their Parents » Flavof Flav fiancee Liz and baby Karma take in a concert in Vegas |website=Blackcelebkids.com |date=June 12, 2008 |access-date=April 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404172517/http://www.blackcelebkids.com/2008/06/12/flavor-flav-fiancee-liz-and-baby-karma-take-in-a-concert-in-vegas/ |archive-date=April 4, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Flav says he started wearing a clock around his neck because he wanted people to know what time it is.
On October 17, 2012, Flav was jailed in Las Vegas on felony charges stemming from a domestic argument with Trujillo and his threats to attack her teenage son, Gibran, with a knife.<ref name=cnn2012 /><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.vh1.com/celebrity/2012-10-17/flavor-flav-arrested-in-las-vegas-for-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019052948/http://www.vh1.com/celebrity/2012-10-17/flavor-flav-arrested-in-las-vegas-for-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 19, 2012 | title=Flavor Flav Arrested In Las Vegas For Assault With A Deadly Weapon | work=VH1 Insider | access-date=October 17, 2012}}</ref>
*Flav appeared in the Taking Back Sunday video "You're So Last Summer".

Flav's mother, Anna Drayton, died on December 31, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theboombox.com/flavor-flav-mother-anna-drayton-dies/|title=Flavor Flav's Mother Anna Drayton Dies|first=Trent|last=Fitzgerald|website=The Boombox|date=January 2, 2014 }}</ref> On January 9, 2014, Flav was pulled over on Long Island's ] for driving {{convert|79|mph}} in a {{convert|55|mph|abbr=on}} zone, and was additionally charged with possession of marijuana and unlicensed operation of a vehicle. Authorities discovered Flav had 16 suspensions on his license. He was en route to his mother's funeral.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/celebrities/flavor-flav-pleads-not-guilty-in-speeding-case-1.6893917|title=Flavor Flav pleads not guilty in speeding case| date=January 28, 2014| work=] | location = New York City / Long Island| first1=Darran| last1=Simon| first2=John| last2=Valenti| access-date= May 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416095351/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/celebrities/flavor-flav-pleads-not-guilty-in-speeding-case-1.6893917| archive-date=April 16, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

Flav was arrested near Las Vegas on May 21, 2015. The charges included speeding and driving under the influence.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.8newsnow.com/story/29128557/flavor-flav-arrested-in-vegas-suspected-of-impaired-driving|title=Flavor Flav arrested in Vegas, suspected of impaired driving| date=May 21, 2015| agency=] | publisher= ] | location = Las Vegas, Nevada| access-date= May 24, 2015| archive-date= May 24, 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150524210812/http://www.8newsnow.com/story/29128557/flavor-flav-arrested-in-vegas-suspected-of-impaired-driving | url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 21, 2019, Flav had his youngest son Jordan with Kate Gammell.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-10-27|title=Paternity Test Confirms Flavor Flav IS The Father Of 3-Month-Old Boy|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.53117/title.flavor-flav-named-in-new-paternity-suit|access-date=2021-04-26|website=HipHopDX}}</ref>

===Idiosyncrasies===
When asked about the significance of his trademark clock necklaces, Flav responded: "The reason why I wear this clock is because, you know, time is the most important element, and when we stop, time keeps going."<ref>{{cite web |title=Pawn Stars: Flavor Flav's O.J. Simpson Statue (Season 14) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG3KWioKAJA |website=YouTube | date=October 23, 2017 |publisher=History |access-date=19 July 2022}}</ref>

Flavor Flav has a penchant for ].{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

==Discography==
{{See also|Public Enemy discography}}
;Solo albums
* '']'' (2006)
;Guest appearances
* Barshem, "Where's My $5 At?"
* Bumpy Knuckles & DJ Premier, "Shake the Room", ], <code>2012</code>
* ], "Come on Down", ], <code>2004</code>
* ], "]" <small>(w/ ], ] & ]),</small> ], <code>1999</code>
* ], "Paint The White House Black" <small>(w/ Chuck D, ], ], ], ] & ]),</small> ], <code>1993;</code>"Tweakin'" <small>(w/ Chuck D)</small>, ], <code>1989</code>
* ], "You Can't See What I Can See", ''B-Side'' to "Don't Curse", <code>1992</code>
* ], "I'm Only Out for One Thang", ], <code>1990</code>
* ], "]" <small>(w/ Chuck D),</small> ], <code>1988</code>
* ], "Burnin" <small>(w/ ]),</small> ], <code>1999</code>
* ], "From New York to Tokyo", <code>2001</code>
* ], "Lettin' Off Steam (Club Mix)", ], <code>1991</code>
* Prince Akeem, "Only We Can Do This", Coming Down Like Babylon, <code>1991</code>
* Stop the Violence Movement, "]", <code>1989</code>
* ], "Soul Power", ], <code>2001</code>
* ], "]" <u>(Music Video Cameo)</u>
* ], "]" <u>(Music Video Cameo)</u>
* ], "P.E. 2000" <u>(Music Video Cameo)</u>
* ], "You're So Last Summer" <u>(Music Video Cameo)</u>
* ], "]" <small>(w/ ] & ])</small> <u>(Music Video Cameo)</u>
* Micayla de Ette, "Write a Song", <code>2019</code><ref>{{cite web |title=Micayla De Ette & Flavor Flav - Write a Song |url=https://www.laonlock.com/reviews/11/9/2019/micayla-de-ette-amp-flavor-flav-write-a-song-music-video-review |website=LA On Lock |access-date=March 1, 2020 |date=November 9, 2019}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}}
<references />


==External links== ==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{wikiquote}} {{wikiquote}}
* * {{Official website|www.publicenemy.com}} Public Enemy
* at ] * at ]
* {{IMDb name|id=0281318}}
*

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{{Public Enemy}}
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{{2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
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Latest revision as of 09:43, 20 January 2025

American hip hop artist (born 1959)

This article is about the New York musician. For the musician's self-titled album, see Flavor Flav (album). For the Bay Area rapper named Flav, see Armani Depaul.
Flavor Flav
Flav performing at New Orleans Jazz Fest in 2014Flav performing at New Orleans Jazz Fest in 2014
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Jonathan Drayton Jr.
Born (1959-03-16) March 16, 1959 (age 65)
Roosevelt, New York, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupations
Years active1985–present
Member ofPublic Enemy
Musical artist

William Jonathan Drayton Jr. (born March 16, 1959), known by his stage name Flavor Flav (/ˈfleɪvər ˌfleɪv/ FLAY-vər FLAYV), is an American hip hop artist. Known for his catchphrase "Yeah, boyeeeeee!" when performing, he is a founding member, alongside Chuck D, of Public Enemy, a rap group that has earned six Grammy Award nominations, and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

After spending several years out of the limelight, Flav starred in multiple VH1 reality series, including The Surreal Life, Strange Love, and Flavor of Love.

Early life and education

Drayton was born in Roosevelt, New York, and grew up in nearby Freeport, two communities within the Town of Hempstead. Drayton is the cousin of former Penn State basketball player Shep Garner, and of Brooklyn MC Timbo King of Royal Fam. He is also a cousin of rappers Ol' Dirty Bastard, RZA, and GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan.

He began teaching himself piano at the age of five, and mastered piano, drums and guitar at an early age, while also singing in the youth choir at his church. According to Chuck D, Drayton is proficient in fifteen instruments.

By the time he dropped out of Freeport High School in the 11th grade, he had been in and out of jail for robbery and burglary.

Drayton attended culinary school in 1978. Later, he attended Adelphi University on Long Island, where he met Carlton Ridenhour (who later became known as Chuck D). They first collaborated on Chuck D's hip-hop college radio show, then began rapping together. Drayton's stage name Flavor Flav was originally his graffiti tag.

Career

Music

Main article: Public Enemy

Flavor Flav (often referred to as "Flav") came to prominence as a founding member and hype man of the rap group Public Enemy, which he co-founded in 1985 with Chuck D. A year later, the group released "Public Enemy #1", which brought them to the attention of Def Jam Records executive Rick Rubin. Rubin initially did not understand Flav's role in the act and wanted to sign Chuck D as a solo act; however, Chuck D insisted that Flav be signed with them and the two were signed to Def Jam.

Flavor Flav and helicopter pilot Ray McCort on an MTV shoot in New York City

The group's first album Yo! Bum Rush the Show was released in 1987. Flav served as the comic foil to Chuck D's serious, politically charged style.

The group gained much wider fame with their following release, 1988's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, which went double platinum. By the time the political single "Fight the Power" was released in 1989, the group had become mainstream superstars. Along with Chuck D, the showman of the group and its promotional voice, Flav stood out among the members of Public Enemy as he often got the fans excited, appearing on stage and in public wearing big hats and glasses, and a large clock dangling from his neck.

Flav performing at "The Slaughterhouse" in Malmö, Sweden 1991

The first released track on which Flav rapped solo was "Life of a Nigerian" on Goat Ju JU, although the first hit on which he rapped solo would not come until the 1990 single "911 Is a Joke". During Public Enemy's first years of existence, Flav experienced tensions with group-mate Professor Griff, who never liked Flav's flamboyant stance in what Griff felt should be a serious, politically-challenging group. In 1999, Flavor Flav recorded with DJ Tomekk and Grandmaster Flash the single "1, 2, 3, ... Rhymes Galore". The single stayed for 17 weeks in the top ten of the German charts.

Flav performing in 2009

In 2006, Flav put out his first solo album, titled Hollywood. It was released during the second season of the reality TV dating show Flavor of Love.

On March 1, 2020, Public Enemy released a statement saying that the group would be "moving forward without Flavor Flav," following a disagreement over the group's decision to endorse Bernie Sanders and perform at his Los Angeles rally. Flavor Flav denounced the firing, maintaining that he was Chuck D's partner in Public Enemy and could therefore not be fired from it. On April 1, 2020, Chuck D announced that the firing was a hoax. Flavor Flav stated shortly thereafter that he was not a part of the hoax and disapproved of the stunt.

Television

After a hiatus from the music scene, Flavor Flav was invited to participate on VH1 reality show The Surreal Life. During this show, he developed a relationship with actress and singer Brigitte Nielsen. Following the conclusion of The Surreal Life, VH1 gave Flav and Nielsen a show titled Strange Love, which detailed their globetrotting adventure in love. At the end of Strange Love, Nielsen decided to return to her fiancé, Mattia Dessi.

Flavor of Love, which aired for three seasons, is a reality show where Flavor Flav looks for love. The show's success led to spin-offs titled I Love New York and I Love Money. During the third season reunion of Flavor of Love, Flav proposed to Liz, the mother of his youngest son, Karma. The Comedy Central roast of Flavor Flav aired on August 12, 2007. Guests appearing at the roast included: Snoop Dogg, Brigitte Nielsen, Jimmy Kimmel, Carrot Top, Lisa Lampanelli, Ice-T, Jeff Ross, Katt Williams, Patton Oswalt, Greg Giraldo, and Sommore.

Flav played Calvester Hill on the MyNetworkTV comedy series Under One Roof, starring alongside Kelly Perine.

Restaurant owner

In 2011, Flav partnered with Nick Cimino to open Flav's Fried Chicken in Cimino's hometown of Clinton, Iowa. The two had met through Cimino's brother Peter, who runs Mama Cimino's in Las Vegas and Castle Rock Bar and Pizzeria in Kingman, Arizona. After enjoying Flav's homemade fried chicken, Peter Cimino began selling chicken wings using Flav's recipe. The founders hoped to start a national restaurant franchise. A mix of squabbling owners, bounced checks, and bad business decisions led to Flavor Flav's Chicken shutting down barely four months after it opened. Flavor Flav was not involved in the restaurant's day-to-day operations; Nick Cimino simply paid for Flavor Flav's license.

Flavor Flav's House of Flavor in Las Vegas opened on Flav's birthday in March 2012. Flavor Flav teamed up with Gino Harmon and Salvatore Bitonti to start a national franchise known as Flavor Flav's Chicken & Ribs, which opened December 21, 2012 in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The business was not affiliated with the previous two ventures Flavor Flav has had in the restaurant business. Flavor Flav's Chicken & Ribs was a casual dining experience with a quick serve attitude. Flavor Flav's Chicken & Ribs closed in July 2013 after being evicted by its landlord for failure to pay rent.

Other TV and media appearances

Flav in 2012

In 2002, Flav appeared in Taking Back Sunday's music video for their song You're So Last Summer. Flav has appeared as a playable fighter in the 2004 fighting game; Def Jam: Fight for NY. In May 2005, Flav took part in the UK reality TV show The Farm on Channel 5. Also in 2005, Flavor Flav made a guest appearance in the MTV2 surreal black comedy show Wonder Showzen as himself, in the debut episode "Birth". On June 14, 2006, Flav's participation, with WEVR-MRC, in the Lisa Tolliver Show celebration of National Safety Month, earned kudos from Surgeon General of the United States Richard Carmona.

On November 18, 2009, Flav became a downloadable character in the PlayStation Network's video game Pain. Flav stars in Deon Taylor's horror anthology Nite Tales and Dark Christmas. On May 10, 2010, Flav guest hosted the wrestling show WWE Raw. On August 14, 2011, Flav appeared as a host at the twelfth annual Gathering of the Juggalos.

On January 10, 2012, Flav appeared with his longtime fiancée Liz on ABC's Celebrity Wife Swap. His fiancée traded places with Suzette, the wife of Twisted Sister front-man Dee Snider. On February 5, 2012, Flav appeared along with Elton John in a Pepsi Co. ad during Super Bowl XLVI. On February 11, 2012, Flav appeared as an honorary member of the UNLV Rebellion during the UNLV Runnin' Rebels victory over San Diego State, 65-63. From June to September 2012, Flav co-starred and rapped in the web series Dr. Fubalous. Flav has also appeared in YooHoo & Friends as Father Time, and the animated feature Hitpig!, both under the direction of animator David Feiss.

Sports

Flavor Flav sang a widely noted performance of the Star Spangled Banner at the Milwaukee Bucks/Atlanta Hawks game in 2023. His performance was confusing to some, but Flavor Flav described the performance as a bucket list item, and a tribute to military veterans.

He frequently engages in philanthropy to help struggling Olympic athletes. Flav helped financially support athletes of the United States women's national water polo team amidst their preparations for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, signing a five-year sponsorship deal as the team's official hype man. He travelled to France to personally watch the team play.

Flavor Flav made a custom bronze clock necklace for US Gymnast Jordan Chiles when her Bronze medal was controversially rescinded at the Paris 2024 games. He also helped raise money for the family of Paralympic sprinter Nick Mayhugh to travel to Paris to see their relative play, and paid rent for the Olympic Discus Thrower Veronica Fraley during the Olympic games.

Flavor Flav with WNBA New York Liberty Mascot Ellie The Elephant

Flavor Flav is a long time fan of women's sports. Flavor Flav has been a notable guest at WNBA games, including performing a call and response tribute to the late Fatman Scoop at a New York Liberty game in September 2024.

Personal life and legal issues

Flavor Flav had his first three children with Karen Ross, three more with Angie Parker, a son with Elizabeth Trujillo, and another child with Kate Gammell.

In 1991, Flav pleaded guilty to assaulting his then-girlfriend Karen Ross and served 30 days in jail, lost custody of his children, and fell deeper into addiction. In 1993, Flav was charged with attempted murder and imprisoned for 90 days for shooting at his neighbor. Later that year, Flav was charged with domestic violence, and cocaine and marijuana charges. His family performed an intervention, and he checked into the Betty Ford Center for an addiction to crack cocaine. After Flav's father died of complications from diabetes in 1997, Flav decided to re-enter rehabilitation, this time at the Long Island Center for Recovery. At one point, he broke both arms in a motorcycle crash.

Flavor Flav dated Beverly Johnson, and by 2000, he lived in a small apartment in the Bronx with her and her two children from a previous marriage, while making money scalping baseball tickets. In 2002, Flav spent nine weeks in Rikers Island jail for driving with a suspended license, numerous parking tickets, and tardiness for probation appointments. Following his release from jail, Flav broke up with Johnson and moved in with his mother on Long Island.

Chuck D became concerned about his friend's well-being and, toward the end of 2003, suggested Flav move to Los Angeles. Flav moved into his friend Princess' apartment, and within months met Cris Abrego and Mark Cronin, the creators and executive producers of the reality television series The Surreal Life. The pair sought him out as soon as they heard Flav had moved to Los Angeles. Seeing that he had remained free from his previous addictions, they wanted to cast him. Initially Flav refused, feeling the show was for celebrities past their prime. He was eventually convinced to join by previous participant MC Hammer.

On May 2, 2011, Flav was arrested on four outstanding misdemeanor warrants for various driving offenses. Police said Flav had two outstanding arrest warrants for driving without a license, one for driving without insurance, and one related to a parking citation. Flav has since been released. In June 2011, Flav said on the Australian radio show The Kyle and Jackie O Show that when his drug problem was at its worst, he would spend up to US$2,600 a day on crack cocaine.

As of October 2012, Elizabeth Trujillo, the mother of Flav's son, Karma, lived with Flav in Las Vegas and had been his fiancée for eight years. On October 17, 2012, Flav was jailed in Las Vegas on felony charges stemming from a domestic argument with Trujillo and his threats to attack her teenage son, Gibran, with a knife.

Flav's mother, Anna Drayton, died on December 31, 2013. On January 9, 2014, Flav was pulled over on Long Island's Meadowbrook Parkway for driving 79 miles per hour (127 km/h) in a 55 mph (89 km/h) zone, and was additionally charged with possession of marijuana and unlicensed operation of a vehicle. Authorities discovered Flav had 16 suspensions on his license. He was en route to his mother's funeral.

Flav was arrested near Las Vegas on May 21, 2015. The charges included speeding and driving under the influence.

On July 21, 2019, Flav had his youngest son Jordan with Kate Gammell.

Idiosyncrasies

When asked about the significance of his trademark clock necklaces, Flav responded: "The reason why I wear this clock is because, you know, time is the most important element, and when we stop, time keeps going."

Flavor Flav has a penchant for speaking about himself in the third person.

Discography

See also: Public Enemy discography
Solo albums
Guest appearances

Notes

  1. The correct spelling is Flavor, and he dislikes being referred to as Flava

References

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External links

Public Enemy
Studio albums
Live releases
Compilations
Singles
Other songs
Related articles
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – Class of 2013
Performers
Non-performers
(Ahmet Ertegun Award)
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