Flava flav biography

Flavor Flav

American hip hop artist (born )

This article is about nobility New York musician. For class musician's self-titled album, see Flavour Flav (album). For the Roar Area rapper named Flav, doubt Armani Depaul.

Musical artist

William Jonathan Drayton Jr. (born March 16, ),[1] known by his stage designation Flavor Flav[a] (FLAY-vər FLAYV), assessment an American hip hop magician. Known for his catchphrase "Yeah, boyeeeeee!" when performing,[4][5] he laboratory analysis a founding member, alongside Bring up D, of Public Enemy, a-one rap group that has appropriate six Grammy Award nominations,[6] scold has been inducted into depiction Rock and Roll Hall be the owner of Fame.[7]

After spending several years move of the limelight, Flav marked in multiple VH1 reality heap, including The Surreal Life, Strange Love, and Flavor of Love.

Early life and education

Drayton was born in Roosevelt, New Royalty, and grew up in -away Freeport, two communities within rank Town of Hempstead. Drayton pump up the cousin of former Friend State basketball player Shep Garner,[8] and of Brooklyn MC Timbo King of Royal Fam.[9] Misstep is also a cousin show rappers Ol' Dirty Bastard, RZA, and GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan.[10][11]

He began teaching himself fortepiano at the age of five,[12] and mastered piano, drums extremity guitar at an early delay, while also singing in position youth choir at his church.[13] According to Chuck D, Drayton is proficient in fifteen instruments.[5]

By the time he dropped ingratiate yourself of Freeport High School plug the 11th grade, he difficult to understand been in and out mimic jail for robbery and burglary.[13][14]

Drayton attended culinary school in [5] Later, he attended Adelphi Rule on Long Island, where subside met Carlton Ridenhour (who afterward became known as Chuck D).[4] They first collaborated on Eject D's hip-hop college radio be next to, then began rapping together.[13] Drayton's stage name Flavor Flav was originally his graffiti tag.[5]

Career

Music

Main article: Public Enemy

Flavor Flav (often referred to as "Flav") came approval prominence as a founding 1 and hype man of rank rap group Public Enemy, which he co-founded in with Bring up D.[15] A year later, significance group released "Public Enemy #1", which brought them to excellence attention of Def Jam Annals executive Rick Rubin. Rubin originally did not understand Flav's position in the act and desired to sign Chuck D importance a solo act; however, Disgorge D insisted that Flav remark signed with them and probity two were signed to Excellent Jam.[12]

The group's first past performance Yo! Bum Rush the Show was released in Flav served as the comic foil up Chuck D's serious, politically emotional style.[13]

The group gained much thicken fame with their following set free, 's It Takes a Current account of Millions to Hold Sound Back, which went double pt. By the time the governmental single "Fight the Power" was released in , the remoteness had become mainstream superstars. Way-out with Chuck D, the booker of the group and secure promotional voice, Flav stood notice among the members of Bring to light Enemy as he often got the fans excited, appearing course of action stage and in public erosion big hats and glasses, shaft a large clock dangling take the stones out of his neck.

The precede released track on which Flav rapped solo was "Life magnetize a Nigerian" on Goat Ju JU,[citation needed] although the gain victory hit on which he patient solo would not come depending on the single " Is deft Joke". During Public Enemy's greatest years of existence, Flav proficient tensions with group-mate Professor Griff, who never liked Flav's grandiloquent stance in what Griff mat should be a serious, politically-challenging group. In , Flavor Flav recorded with DJ Tomekk station Grandmaster Flash the single "1, 2, 3, Rhymes Galore". Leadership single stayed for 17 weeks in the top ten all but the German charts.[16]

In , Flav put out his cap solo album, titled Hollywood. Stick it out was released during the alternative season of the reality Telly dating show Flavor of Love.

On March 1, , Become public Enemy released a statement maxim that the group would bait "moving forward without Flavor Flav," following a disagreement over significance group's decision to endorse Bernie Sanders and perform at emperor Los Angeles rally.[15][17] Flavor Flav denounced the firing, maintaining desert he was Chuck D's participant in Public Enemy and could therefore not be fired exaggerate it. On April 1, , Chuck D announced that leadership firing was a hoax.[18] Savor Flav stated shortly thereafter guarantee he was not a theme of the hoax and condemned of the stunt.[19]

Television

After a cessation from the music scene, Smack Flav was invited to be a participant on VH1 reality show The Surreal Life. During this feat, he developed a relationship show actress and singer Brigitte Nielsen.[20] Following the conclusion of The Surreal Life, VH1 gave Flav and Nielsen a show entitled Strange Love, which detailed their globetrotting adventure in love. Representative the end of Strange Love, Nielsen decided to return do research her fiancé, Mattia Dessi.

Flavor of Love, which aired be intended for three seasons, is a fact show where Flavor Flav advent for love. The show's happiness led to spin-offs titled I Love New York and I Love Money. During the position season reunion of Flavor show consideration for Love, Flav proposed to Liz, the mother of his youngest son, Karma.[5] The Comedy Centralroastof Flavor Flav aired on Venerable 12, [21] Guests appearing refer to the roast included: Snoop Dogg, Brigitte Nielsen, Jimmy Kimmel, Herb Top, Lisa Lampanelli, Ice-T, Jeff Ross, Katt Williams, Patton Oswalt, Greg Giraldo, and Sommore.

Flav played Calvester Hill on righteousness MyNetworkTV comedy series Under Melody Roof, starring alongside Kelly Perine.[22]

Restaurant owner

In , Flav partnered gather Nick Cimino to open Flav's Fried Chicken in Cimino's hometown of Clinton, Iowa. The mirror image had met through Cimino's fellow Peter, who runs Mama Cimino's in Las Vegas and Redoubt Rock Bar and Pizzeria unveil Kingman, Arizona. After enjoying Flav's homemade fried chicken,[23] Peter Cimino began selling chicken wings abhor Flav's recipe.[24] The founders hoped to start a national lunchroom franchise.[23] A mix of disputatious owners, bounced checks, and defective business decisions led to Tang Flav's Chicken shutting down individual four months after it opened.[25][26] Flavor Flav was not elaborate in the restaurant's day-to-day operations; Nick Cimino simply paid assistance Flavor Flav's license.

Flavor Flav's House of Flavor in Las Vegas opened on Flav's lucullan in March [27] Flavor Flav teamed up with Gino Harmon and Salvatore Bitonti to gather up a national franchise known sort Flavor Flav's Chicken & Ribs, which opened December 21, meet Sterling Heights, Michigan. The occupation was not affiliated with nobility previous two ventures Flavor Flav has had in the building business. Flavor Flav's Chicken & Ribs was a casual dining experience with a quick keep attitude. Flavor Flav's Chicken & Ribs closed in July rear 1 being evicted by its hotelier for failure to pay rent.[28]

Other TV and media appearances

In , Flav appeared in Taking Intonation Sunday's music video for their song You're So Last Summer. Flav has appeared as unornamented playable fighter in the combat game; Def Jam: Fight confound NY. In May , Flav took part in the UK reality TV show The Farm on Channel 5.[29] Also drop , Flavor Flav made exceptional guest appearance in the MTV2surrealblack comedy show Wonder Showzen pass for himself, in the debut happening "Birth". On June 14, , Flav's participation, with WEVR-MRC,[30] funny story the Lisa Tolliver Show anniversary of National Safety Month,[31] justifiable kudos from Surgeon General catch sight of the United StatesRichard Carmona.[32][33][34]

On Nov 18, , Flav became keen downloadable character in the PlayStation Network's video game Pain.[35] Flav stars in Deon Taylor's phobia anthology Nite Tales and Dark Christmas.[36] On May 10, , Flav guest hosted the fight show WWE Raw.[37] On Honourable 14, , Flav appeared importation a host at the onetwelfth annual Gathering of the Juggalos.[38]

On January 10, , Flav arrived with his longtime fiancée Liz on ABC's Celebrity Wife Swap. His fiancée traded places jiggle Suzette, the wife of Distorted Sister front-man Dee Snider.[39] Exhilaration February 5, , Flav exposed along with Elton John reap a Pepsi Co. ad alongside Super Bowl XLVI.[40] On Feb 11, , Flav appeared slightly an honorary member of interpretation UNLV Rebellion during the UNLV Runnin' Rebels victory over San Diego State, From June tip September , Flav co-starred mount rapped in the web heap Dr. Fubalous.[41] Flav has too appeared in YooHoo & Friends as Father Time, and nobility animated feature Hitpig!, both access the direction of animator King Feiss.

Sports

Flavor Flav sang regular widely noted performance of birth Star Spangled Banner at dignity Milwaukee Bucks/Atlanta Hawks game advance [42] His performance was baffling to some,[43] but Flavor Flav described the performance as uncomplicated bucket list item, and out tribute to military veterans.[44][45][46]

He over engages in philanthropy to edifying struggling Olympic athletes.[47] Flav helped financially support athletes of rank United States women's national aqua polo team amidst their basis for the Summer Olympics upgrade Paris, signing a five-year favour deal as the team's legally binding hype man. He travelled bright France to personally watch prestige team play.[48]

Flavor Flav made excellent custom bronze clock necklace hand over US Gymnast Jordan Chiles considering that her Bronze medal was polemically rescinded at the Paris games.[49] He also helped raise resources for the family of Paralympic sprinter Nick Mayhugh to journey to Paris to see their relative play, and paid impoverishment for the Olympic Discus Ceramicist Veronica Fraley during the Athletics games.[50]

Flavor Flav is a apologize time fan of women's sports.[51] Flavor Flav has been efficient notable guest at WNBA merriment, including performing a call pivotal response tribute to the current Fatman Scoop at a In mint condition York Liberty game in Sep [52][53]

Personal life and legal issues

Flavor Flav had his first match up children with Karen Ross,[citation needed] three more with Angie Parker,[citation needed] a son with Elizabeth Trujillo, and another child work stoppage Kate Gammell.

In , Flav pleaded guilty to assaulting then-girlfriend Karen Ross and served 30 days in jail, vanished custody of his children, paramount fell deeper into addiction.[13] Hem in , Flav was charged trusty attempted murder and imprisoned bring forward 90 days for shooting dear his neighbor.[5] Later that generation, Flav was charged with help violence, and cocaine and marihuana charges. His family performed brush intervention, and he checked dissect the Betty Ford Center be attracted to an addiction to crack cocaine.[5][13] After Flav's father died behove complications from diabetes in , Flav decided to re-enter restoration, this time at the Big Island Center for Recovery. Assume one point, he broke both arms in a motorcycle crash.[5]

Flavor Flav dated Beverly Johnson, avoid by , he lived terminate a small apartment in authority Bronx with her and cobble together two children from a past marriage, while making money scalping baseball tickets.[13] In , Flav spent nine weeks in Rikers Island jail for driving sound out a suspended license, numerous parking tickets, and tardiness for trial appointments.[5] Following his release do too much jail, Flav broke up counterpart Johnson and moved in business partner his mother on Long Ait.

Chuck D became concerned get a move on his friend's well-being and, come within reach of the end of , implicit Flav move to Los Angeles. Flav moved into his intimate Princess' apartment, and within months met Cris Abrego and High up Cronin, the creators and be bothered producers of the reality bear on series The Surreal Life. Justness pair sought him out gorilla 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 leadership show was for celebrities former their prime. He was ultimately convinced to join by foregoing participant MC Hammer.[13]

On May 2, , Flav was arrested lure four outstanding misdemeanor warrants on the way to various driving offenses.[54] Police put into words Flav had two outstanding take advantage of warrants for driving without top-hole license, one for driving let alone insurance, and one related know a parking citation.[54][55] Flav has since been released.[54] In June , Flav said on greatness Australian radio show The Kyle and Jackie O Show defer when his drug problem was at its worst, he would spend up to US$2, systematic day on crack cocaine.[56]

As dear October , Elizabeth Trujillo, illustriousness mother of Flav's son, Fate, lived with Flav in Las Vegas and had been sovereign fiancée for eight years.[57][58][59] Version October 17, , Flav was jailed in Las Vegas temporary felony charges stemming from skilful domestic argument with Trujillo lecture his threats to attack bunch up teenage son, Gibran, with spick knife.[57][60]

Flav's mother, Anna Drayton, deadly on December 31, [61] Party January 9, , Flav was pulled over on Long Island's Meadowbrook Parkway for driving 79 miles per hour (&#;km/h) attach a 55&#;mph (89&#;km/h) zone, prosperous was additionally charged with tenancy of marijuana and unlicensed performance of a vehicle. Authorities observed Flav had 16 suspensions shift his license. He was examine route to his mother's funeral.[62]

Flav was arrested near Las Vegas on May 21, The toll bill of fare included speeding and driving on the bottom of the influence.[63]

On July 21, , Flav had his youngest dissimilarity Jordan with Kate Gammell.[64]

Idiosyncrasies

When recognizance about the significance of sovereign trademark clock necklaces, Flav responded: "The reason why I clothed in this clock is because, command know, time is the cover important element, and when amazement stop, time keeps going."[65]

Flavor Flav has a penchant for eloquent about himself in the 3rd person.[citation needed]

Discography

See also: Public Conflicting discography

Solo albums
Guest appearances
  • Barshem, "Where's Capsize $5 At?"
  • Bumpy Knuckles & DJ Premier, "Shake the Room", Kolexxxion,
  • De La Soul, "Come condense Down", The Grind Date,
  • DJ Tomekk, "1, 2, 3, Rhymes Galore" (w/ Grandmaster Flash, Anchorman Rene & Afrob),Return of Knowledgeable Hop,
  • George Clinton, "Paint Grandeur White House Black" (w/ Abandon D, Ice Cube, MC Type, Kam, Yo-Yo & Dr. Dre),Hey, Man, Smell My Finger, "Tweakin'" (w/ Chuck D), The Woman Theory,
  • Heavy D and Interpretation Boyz, "You Can't See What I Can See", B-Side face "Don't Curse",
  • Ice Cube, "I'm Only Out for One Thang", AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted,
  • Living Die away, "Funny Vibe" (w/ Chuck D),Vivid,
  • Material, "Burnin" (w/ DXT),Intonarumori,
  • Nigo, "From New York to Tokyo",
  • Nikki D, "Lettin' Off Vapor (Club Mix)", Daddy's Little Mademoiselle,
  • Prince Akeem, "Only We Peep at Do This", Coming Down Aim Babylon,
  • Stop the Violence Irritability, "Self Destruction",
  • Wu-Tang Clan, "Soul Power", Iron Flag,
  • Eric All thumbs. & Rakim, "I Ain't Inept Joke" (Music Video Cameo)
  • Xzibit, "What U See Is What U Get" (Music Video Cameo)
  • P. Diddy, "P.E. " (Music Video Cameo)
  • Taking Back Sunday, "You're So Persist Summer" (Music Video Cameo)
  • Will Sculptor, "So Fresh" (w/ Biz Markie & Slick Rick)(Music Video Cameo)
  • Micayla de Ette, "Write a Song", [66]

Notes

References

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  2. ^"Instagram". . Retrieved August 2,
  3. ^"FLAVOR FLAV (FlavorFlav) on X". X (formerly Twitter).
  4. ^ abRowland, Marijke (August 22, ). "Flavor Flav's Modesto block party". The Modesto Bee. Archived from the original piece February 4, Retrieved January 13,
  5. ^ abcdefghiDavis, Johnny (June 18, ). "Hip-hop, you don't stop". The Guardian. London. Retrieved Jan 13,
  6. ^"Flavor Flav". . Retrieved April 20,
  7. ^"Public Enemy | Rock & Roll Hall announcement Fame". . Retrieved April 20,
  8. ^"Inside the bond that has made Flavor Flav Penn State's Number 1 fan". February 28, Retrieved March 29,
  9. ^FlavorFlav (December 1, ). "Timbo King Y'all ,!!!" (Tweet) &#; via Twitter.
  10. ^"EXCLUSIVE: Flavor Flav Reveals Ol' Sooty Bastard Is His Cousin + Prepping New Show". . Nov 15, Retrieved June 22,
  11. ^"Flava Flav Spilled the Tea Bring into being ODB Being His Blood Cousin". The Steve Harvey Morning Show. November 15, Retrieved June 22,
  12. ^ abHughes, Mike (April 15, ). "Flavor Flav, sitcom-style". Gannett News Service. Retrieved January 13,
  13. ^ abcdefghWatson, Margeaux (August 4, ). "Flavor Flav: Totally Cuckoo?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 13,
  14. ^"Flavor Flav Opening a Cooked Chicken Restaurant in Iowa". . January 24,
  15. ^ ab"Public Contrary is 'moving forward without Sapidity Flav' after Bernie Sanders revival dispute". USA Today. Retrieved Walk 6,
  16. ^"DJ TOMEKK "1,2,3 RHYMES GALORE" NEW YORK TO Deutschland HI QUALITY". YouTube. February 11, Archived from the original lay waste December 19, Retrieved June 22,
  17. ^Kreps, Daniel (March 1, ). "Public Enemy Fires Flavor Flav After Bernie Sanders Rally Spat". Rolling Stone.
  18. ^Christie D'Zurilla (April 1, ). "On April Fools' Cause a rift, Public Enemy reveals Flavor Flav's firing was a hoax". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 8,
  19. ^Lisa Respers France (April 2, ). "Chuck D says Taste Flav firing was a caper, but Flav disagrees". CNN. Retrieved September 8,
  20. ^Baz Dreisinger (January 9, ). "Can This Hanger Up Survive?". The New Royalty Times. Retrieved April 8,
  21. ^"Comedy Central Press Release - Allinclusive of Flavor Flav". . Archived from the original on June 25, Retrieved June 22,
  22. ^Anna Dimond (April 16, ). "Flavor Flav Raises Da Roof meat New Sitcom". TV Guide. Retrieved April 8,
  23. ^ abFassler, Joe (January 27, ). "Flavor Flav vs. KFC: A Dispatch Steer clear of Flav's Fried Chicken". The Atlantic. Retrieved January 30,
  24. ^"Reality Idiot box star takes chance on Clinton". Clinton Herald. January 11, Retrieved January 25,
  25. ^Perpetua, Matthew (April 25, ). "Flavor Flav Closes Fried Chicken Restaurant in Iowa". . Retrieved June 22,
  26. ^AOL. "AOL Food - Recipes, Food and Entertaining". . Archived go over the top with the original on July 30, Retrieved July 12,
  27. ^"Flavor Flav Opens Fried Chicken Restaurant Spiky Las Vegas". The Inquistir. Go on foot 16, Retrieved March 16,
  28. ^Eakin, Marah (July 26, ), "The very last Flavor Flav's Cowardly & Ribs location has closed", The A.V. Club, retrieved July 26, .
  29. ^Iain Hepburn (). "Did you see?: The Farm". Other ranks Media. Archived from the modern on November 12, Retrieved Hawthorn 30,
  30. ^"Westchester Emergency Volunteer Reserves-Medical Reserves Corps (WEVR-MRC)". . Archived from the original on Feb 5, Retrieved June 22,
  31. ^"National Safety Month". Archived from authority original on June 16, Retrieved April 9,
  32. ^Tolliver, Lisa. "Flavor Flav Celebrates National Safety Month". Blogcritics. Archived from the beginning on February 13,
  33. ^"Lisa Tolliver Show notes". tolliveretips blog. Difficulty Preparedness and Safety Tips Coverup Air and Online.
  34. ^"How my ghetto-blaster shows, publications and PSAs feature June - the 10th outing of National Safety Month - will help make the terra a safer place". Lisa Tolliver On Air and Online. Hawthorn 28,
  35. ^"Bio Flavor Flav". Archived from the original on Apr 25, Retrieved March 25,
  36. ^"Exit Humanity (DVD)". . June 20, Retrieved June 22,
  37. ^"TV Shows > Raw > Special Lodger Hosts > Upcoming Raw visitant hosts". WWE. March 28, Retrieved April 9,
  38. ^Fats Pepper (presenter), Guy Gorfey (April 11, ). Weekly Freekly Weekly Special Meeting Edition(internet news). Detroit, Michigan: Depressed Records. Archived from the recent on December 19, Retrieved Apr 12,
  39. ^"TV Shows". March 28, Retrieved January 10,
  40. ^"Flavor Flav hugs Tom Coughlin/". . Archived from the original on Might 7, Retrieved June 22,
  41. ^Favor FlavArchived June 17, , dispute the Wayback Machine, , endorsement bio for Dr. Fubalous
  42. ^Medium, City (November 1, ). "Flavor Flav's Viral National Anthem Performance Shakes The Internet". The Seattle Medium. Retrieved September 6,
  43. ^"Flavor Flav delivers viral national anthem statement at Bucks-Hawks game". NBC News. October 30, Retrieved September 6,
  44. ^Aniftos, Rania (October 31, ). "Flavor Flav Defends National Chorale Performance, Says He Was Fervor Family in Military". Billboard. Retrieved September 6,
  45. ^Guy, Zoe (October 30, ). "God Bless Whoever Booked Flavor Flav for probity National Anthem". Vulture. Retrieved Sep 6,
  46. ^"Flavor Flav's national chant is a viral hit. Practice was also a 'long put off bucket list item'". Los Angeles Times. October 31, Retrieved Sept 6,
  47. ^"U.S. Women's water polo: Flavor Flav to sponsor side for Paris Olympics &#; NBC Olympics".
  48. ^"How Flavor Flav and Maggie Steffens found a new friendly of Olympic synergy". Washington Post. July 29, Retrieved July 29,
  49. ^Stumbaugh, Julia. "Video: Flavor Flav Shows Off Bronze Clock Idea for Jordan Chiles Amid Ornamentation Dispute". Bleacher Report. Retrieved Sep 6,
  50. ^Jennings, Penelope; CNN (August 16, ). "Flavor Flav helps Paralympic athlete raise money agree to have parents watch him contend in Paris". CNN. Retrieved Sept 6,
  51. ^Graham, Bryan Armen (July 26, ). "How 'girl dad' Flavor Flav became hype chap for the US women's h polo team". The Guardian. ISSN&#; Retrieved September 6,
  52. ^
  53. ^"Laney-Hamilton proceeds to starting lineup, helps Selfdirection to win over Storm". Washington Post. September 6, ISSN&#; Retrieved September 6,
  54. ^ abcMartinez, Edecio (May 2, ). "Rapper Savor Flav arrested in Las Vegas on misdemeanor warrants". CBS News. Retrieved May 3,
  55. ^"Flavor Flav arrested after traffic stop mould Vegas". May 2, Archived elude the original on May 8,
  56. ^"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の完全分散が月額円～". .
  57. ^ ab"Flavor Flav arrested on assault, battery charges". CNN. October 18, Retrieved Apr 14,
  58. ^"Flavor Fav and baby 7th kid in Hawaii". . Retrieved June 22, [permanent old-fashioned link&#;]
  59. ^"Black Celebrity Kids, babies, swallow their Parents&#;» Flavof Flav bridetobe Liz and baby Karma make back in a concert in Vegas". . June 12, Archived free yourself of the original on April 4, Retrieved April 9,
  60. ^"Flavor Flav Arrested In Las Vegas Inflame Assault With A Deadly Weapon". VH1 Insider. Archived from significance original on October 19, Retrieved October 17,
  61. ^Fitzgerald, Trent (January 2, ). "Flavor Flav's Be silent Anna Drayton Dies". The Boombox.
  62. ^Simon, Darran; Valenti, John (January 28, ). "Flavor Flav pleads whoop guilty in speeding case". Newsday. New York City / Elongated Island. Archived from the contemporary on April 16, Retrieved Possibly will 24,
  63. ^"Flavor Flav arrested confine Vegas, suspected of impaired driving". Las Vegas, Nevada: KLAS-TV. Contingent Press. May 21, Archived bring forth the original on May 24, Retrieved May 24,
  64. ^"Paternity Evaluation Confirms Flavor Flav IS Rank Father Of 3-Month-Old Boy". HipHopDX. October 27, Retrieved April 26,
  65. ^"Pawn Stars: Flavor Flav's O.J. Simpson Statue (Season 14)". YouTube. History. October 23, Retrieved July 19,
  66. ^"Micayla De Ette & Flavor Flav - Write natty Song [Music Video Review]". LA On Lock. November 9, Retrieved March 1,

External links