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Flavor Flav

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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 American rapper, television star, and member of the politically and socially conscious rap group Public Enemy. He is known for his clowning antics as well as outlandish costumes, including wearing over-sized clocks around his neck; he wears the clock to remind people how precious time is.[3] He is also known yelling "Yeah boy!" and his name during performances.[4][3]

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.

Early years

Flav grew up in Freeport, Long Island with parents William Sr. and Angie Drayton. His father owned a greasy spoon called the Soul Diner.[5] Flav began playing the piano at age five; he claims to be self-taught.[6] A musical prodigy, he sang in the youth choir at his church and mastered the piano, drums, and guitar at an early age.[5] He eventually became proficient in 15 instruments.[4] His childhood included legal trouble, he set a house on fire as a small child while playing with a lighter, and by the time he dropped out of school in the 11th grade, he had been in and out of jail for robbery and burglary.[5]

He attended Adelphi University in Long Island where he met Carlton Ridenhour, who would become known as Chuck D.[3] Flavor Flav took his stage name after his graffiti tag.[4] They first collaborated on Chuck D's hip-hop college radio show, then began rapping together. The two worked for Chuck D's father's delivery service.[5]

Career

Music

Main article: Public Enemy (band)

Flavor Flav came to prominence as a founding member of the rap group Public Enemy. In 1984, the group released a track, "Public Enemy #1", which brought them to the attention of Def Jam Records executive Rick Rubin. Rubin initially did not understand Flav's clowning 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 in 1986.[6] 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.[5] 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 issued 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 hyped, appearing on stage and in public wearing big hats and glasses and a large clock dangling from his neck.

The first released track on which Flav rapped solo was "Too Much Posse" on Yo! Bum Rush the Show, though the first hit on which he rapped solo would not come until the 1990s single "911 is a Joke". During Public Enemy's first years of existence, Flav dealt with tensions with group-mate Professor Griff, who never liked Flav's flamboyant stance in what Griff felt to be a serious, politically-challenging group. In 1990, after allegedly making anti-Semitic comments, Profressor Griff left Public Enemy.

In 2006, Flav put out his self-titled first solo album. It was released during the second season of Flavor of Love.

Television

The Surreal Life

Main article: The Surreal Life

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 Brigitte Nielsen.

Strange Love

Following the conclusion of The Surreal Life, VH1 gave Flav and Brigitte a show titled Strange Love, which detailed their globetrotting adventure in love. At the end of Strange Love Brigitte decided to return to her fiancé, Mattia Dessi

Flavor of Love

Main article: Flavor of Love

Flavor of Love, which aired for three seasons, is a reality show where Flavor Flav looks for love. The show's success led to a spin-off titled I Love New York. It was revealed in the third season reunion show that Flav met a woman, not from the show, after taping had concluded. He proposed to her on air during the special. The two have a son together.[4]

Comedy Central Roast

Main article: Comedy Central Roast of Flavor Flav

The Comedy Central roast of Flavor Flav aired on August 12, 2007.[7] 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

Discography

With Public Enemy
Solo albums
Guest appearances

References

  1. ^ Ankeny, Jason. ""Flavor Flav: Biography"". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
  2. ^ Un-J (October 4, 2006). "Chuck D. Interview". Youtube.com. Retrieved 2006-10-28.
  3. ^ a b c Marijke Rowland, Flavor Flav's Modesto block party, The Modesto Bee, August 22, 2008, Accessed January 13, 2009.
  4. ^ a b c d Johnny Davis, Hip-hop, you don't stop, The Guardian, June 18, 2006, Accessed January 13, 2009.
  5. ^ a b c d e Margeaux Watson, Flavor Flav: Totally Cuckoo?, Entertainment Weekly, Accessed January 13, 2009.
  6. ^ a b Mike Hughes, Flavor Flav, sitcom-style, Gannett News Service, April 15, 2008, Accessed January 13, 2009.
  7. ^ Comedy Central Press Release - Roast of Flavor Flav
  8. ^ Westchester Emergency Volunteer Reserves-Medical Reserves Corps (WEVR-MRC)
  9. ^ Blogcritics Magazine - Flavor Flav Celebrates National Safety Month
  10. ^ Lisa Tolliver show notes blog
  11. ^ Lisa Tolliver's Blog
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