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m Reverting possible vandalism by 70.109.175.64 to version by Elagatis. False positive? Report it. Thanks, User:ClueBot. (440799) (Bot)
Look at all the changes on that one sentence. I don't have the time or interest to fix it all. This appears to have been written by a third-grader.
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===Rap career===
===Rap career===
{{main|Public Enemy (band)}}
{{main|Public Enemy (band)}}
In 1984, the group released their debut record, ''Public Enemy #1'', which brought them to the attention of [[Def Jam Records]] executive [[Rick Rubin]], who signed the group to Def Jam in 1985. As a member of Public Enemy, his first record with the group, ''[[Yo! Bum Rush the Show]]'', came out in 1987. The group rose to rap prominence with their following release, 1988's ''[[It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back]]'', which went double platinum. By the time the group issued the political single, "[[Fight the Power]]", in 1989, the group were mainstream superstars. With the 1990s single, "911's a Joke", became a big hit and made Flav, this however wasn't the first track Flav Rapped on solo it was on ''It Takes A Nation''... on "Cold Lampin' With Flavor", along with [[Chuck D]], the showman of the group and its promotional voice, as he often got the crowd hype and with his big glasses, even bigger clock dangling from his neck and wearing big hats, the rapper stood out among his fellow PE group mates.
In 1984, the group released their debut record, ''Public Enemy #1'', which brought them to the attention of [[Def Jam Records]] executive [[Rick Rubin]], who signed the group to Def Jam in 1985. As a member of Public Enemy, his first record with the group, ''[[Yo! Bum Rush the Show]]'', came out in 1987. The group rose to rap prominence with their following release, 1988's ''[[It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back]]'', which went double platinum. By the time the group issued the political single, "[[Fight the Power]]", in 1989, the group were mainstream superstars. The 1990s single "911 is a Joke" became a big hit, but it wasn't the first track Flavor rapped on solo—it was "Too Much Posse" on ''[[Yo! Bum Rush the Show.]]'' Along with [[Chuck D]], the showman of the group and its promotional voice, as he often got the crowd hype and with his big glasses, even bigger clock dangling from his neck and wearing big hats, the rapper stood out among his fellow PE group mates.


During PE's first years of existence, Flav dealt with tensions with Professor Griff, who never liked Flav's flamboyant stance in what he felt to be a serious politically-challenging group. In 1990, after allegedly making [[anti-Semitic]] comments, Griff left PE.
During PE's first years of existence, Flav dealt with tensions with Professor Griff, who never liked Flav's flamboyant stance in what he felt to be a serious politically-challenging group. In 1990, after allegedly making [[anti-Semitic]] comments, Griff left PE.

Revision as of 17:44, 15 July 2008

This article is about the musician. For the musician's self-titled album, see Flavor Flav (album).
Flavor Flav

William Jonathan Drayton Jr. (born March 16, 1959), better known by his stage name, Flavor Flav, is an African-American rapper, television star, and member of the politically and socially conscious rap group, Public Enemy. He is not widely regarded as a rapper but is recognized as a prolific hype man.[citation needed] His visual trademark is an oversized clock hanging from his neck.

After falling out of the public eye for a number of years, he has recently reappeared as the star of several VH1 reality series, including The Surreal Life, Strange Love, and Flavor Of Love.

Rap career

Main article: Public Enemy (band)

In 1984, the group released their debut record, Public Enemy #1, which brought them to the attention of Def Jam Records executive Rick Rubin, who signed the group to Def Jam in 1985. As a member of Public Enemy, his first record with the group, Yo! Bum Rush the Show, came out in 1987. The group rose to rap prominence with their following release, 1988's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, which went double platinum. By the time the group issued the political single, "Fight the Power", in 1989, the group were mainstream superstars. The 1990s single "911 is a Joke" became a big hit, but it wasn't the first track Flavor rapped on solo—it was "Too Much Posse" on Yo! Bum Rush the Show. Along with Chuck D, the showman of the group and its promotional voice, as he often got the crowd hype and with his big glasses, even bigger clock dangling from his neck and wearing big hats, the rapper stood out among his fellow PE group mates.

During PE's first years of existence, Flav dealt with tensions with Professor Griff, who never liked Flav's flamboyant stance in what he felt to be a serious politically-challenging group. In 1990, after allegedly making anti-Semitic comments, Griff left PE.

Throughout the 1990s, Flav was arrested numerous times on assault and drug charges, after a drug overdose, he went to rehab in 1997 and has claimed to be sober since. Flav still raps as a member of Public Enemy though the group often went through hiatus.

In 2006 Flav put out his first solo album, released during the second season of his hit reality show, Flavor of Love.

TV career

The Surreal Life

Main article: The Surreal Life

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

Flavor of Love

Main article: Flavor of Love

Flavor of Love, which recently finished its third and final season, is a reality show where Flavor Flav looks for love. The show's success led to a spin-off titled, I Love New York. But confirmed accounts say Flavor Flav was currently engaged before filming Flavor of Love Season Three, and only did it because he had already cashed the check given to him by VH1.

Comedy Central Roast

Flav was roasted on Comedy Central. The roast first aired on August 122007.[3] Guests appearing at the roast: Snoop Dogg, Brigitte Nielsen, Jimmy Kimmel, Carrot Top, Lisa Lampanelli, Ice T, Jeff Ross, Katt Williams, Patton Oswalt, Greg Giraldo, and Sommore.

Under One Roof (2008 TV series)

Main article: Under One Roof (2008 TV series)

Flav plays Calvester Hill on the MyNetworkTV comedy Under One Roof starring alongside Kelly Perine.

Other TV and media appearances

Personal Life

Flav has seven children: Shaniq, Karen, Da'zyna, Kwan, William, Kayla and Karma. There are three mothers to his children. His seventh child Karma is by his fiancee Liz. He has two grandchildren.

Discography

With Public Enemy

Solo albums

Guest appearances

References

  1. ^ Ankeny, Jason. ""Flavor Flav: Biography"". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
  2. ^ Un-J (October 4, 2006). "Chuck D. Interview". Youtube.com. Retrieved 2006-10-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Comedy Central Press Release - Roast of Flavor Flav
  4. ^ Westchester Emergency Volunteer Reserves-Medical Reserves Corps (WEVR-MRC)
  5. ^ Blogcritics Magazine - Flavor Flav Celebrates National Safety Month
  6. ^ Lisa Tolliver show notes blog
  7. ^ Lisa Tolliver's Blog
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