Flavor Flav facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Flavor Flav
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Flav performing at New Orleans Jazz Fest in 2014
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Jonathan Drayton Jr. |
| Born | March 16, 1959 Roosevelt, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1985–present |
William Jonathan Drayton Jr. (born March 16, 1959), known as Flavor Flav, is an American hip hop artist. He is famous for his catchphrase "Yeah, boyeeeeee!" when he performs. Flavor Flav is a founding member of the rap group Public Enemy, which he started with Chuck D. This group has been nominated for six Grammy Awards and is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
After being away from the public eye for a few years, Flav became a star on several VH1 reality TV shows. These included The Surreal Life, Strange Love, and Flavor of Love.
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Flavor Flav's Early Life and Musical Talent
William Drayton Jr. was born in Roosevelt, New York. He grew up in nearby Freeport. He is related to other famous musicians like RZA and GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan, and Timbo King.
Flavor Flav taught himself to play the piano when he was only five years old. He also sang in his church choir. From a young age, he became very good at playing the piano, drums, and guitar. According to Chuck D, Flav can play fifteen different musical instruments! In 1978, he went to culinary school. Later, he attended Adelphi University on Long Island. There, he met Carlton Ridenhour, who would become his future bandmate. They first worked together on Chuck D's college radio show. Soon after, they started rapping together. Flavor Flav's stage name originally came from his graffiti tag.
Flavor Flav's Career Highlights
Music Career with Public Enemy
Flavor Flav became well-known as a founding member and hype man for the rap group Public Enemy. He co-founded the group in 1985 with Chuck D. A year later, they released a song called "Public Enemy #1." This song caught the attention of Def Jam Records executive Rick Rubin. Rubin initially wanted to sign Chuck D as a solo artist. However, Chuck D insisted that Flavor Flav be signed with them. So, both of them joined Def Jam.
The group's first album, Yo! Bum Rush the Show, came out in 1987. In the group, Flav often played a funny role, which was a contrast to Chuck D's serious, politically focused style. The group became much more famous with their next album, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988). This album sold over two million copies. By 1989, when their political song "Fight the Power" was released, Public Enemy had become huge stars. Flavor Flav stood out with his big hats, glasses, and a large clock hanging from his neck. He was known for getting the fans excited during performances.
The first song where Flav rapped by himself was "Life of a Nigerian." However, his first big solo hit was the 1990 single "911 Is a Joke". In 1999, Flavor Flav worked with DJ Tomekk and Grandmaster Flash on the song "1, 2, 3, ... Rhymes Galore". This song stayed in the top ten of the German music charts for 17 weeks.
In 2006, Flav released his first solo album, called Hollywood. This happened during the second season of his reality TV dating show, Flavor of Love.
In 2020, there was a misunderstanding about Public Enemy's future. It was announced that the group would be "moving forward without Flavor Flav." This was due to a disagreement about the group performing at a political rally. Flavor Flav said he couldn't be fired because he was Chuck D's partner. Later, Chuck D announced that the whole thing was a misunderstanding. Flavor Flav then said he was not part of the misunderstanding and didn't approve of it.
Television Appearances
After taking a break from music, Flavor Flav was invited to be on the VH1 reality show The Surreal Life. On this show, he started a relationship with actress and singer Brigitte Nielsen. After The Surreal Life ended, VH1 gave Flav and Nielsen their own show called Strange Love. This show followed their adventures as a couple around the world. At the end of Strange Love, Nielsen decided to go back to her fiancé.
Flavor of Love was a reality show where Flavor Flav searched for love. It aired for three seasons and was very popular. Its success led to spin-off shows like I Love New York and I Love Money. During the reunion for the third season of Flavor of Love, Flav proposed to Liz, who is the mother of his youngest son, Karma.
Comedy Central also held a special comedy event called a roast for Flavor Flav. It aired on August 12, 2007. Many famous guests like Snoop Dogg, Brigitte Nielsen, and Jimmy Kimmel were there. Flav also played a character named Calvester Hill on the MyNetworkTV comedy series Under One Roof.
Restaurant Ventures
In 2011, Flavor Flav tried opening a restaurant called Flav's Fried Chicken in Clinton, Iowa. He partnered with Nick Cimino. The idea was to create a national restaurant franchise. However, due to disagreements and business problems, the restaurant closed after only four months. Flavor Flav was not involved in the daily running of the restaurant.
In March 2012, on his birthday, Flavor Flav's House of Flavor opened in Las Vegas. Later, in December 2012, he teamed up with new partners to start a different national franchise called Flavor Flav's Chicken & Ribs in Sterling Heights, Michigan. This business was a casual dining place with a quick serve style. However, Flavor Flav's Chicken & Ribs also closed in July 2013 because it couldn't pay its rent.
Other TV and Media Appearances
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In 2002, Flav appeared in the music video for "You're So Last Summer" by Taking Back Sunday. He was also a playable character in the 2004 fighting video game, Def Jam: Fight for NY. In May 2005, Flav took part in a UK reality TV show called The Farm.
Flavor Flav also made a guest appearance on the MTV2 comedy show Wonder Showzen in 2005. In 2009, Flav became a character you could download in the PlayStation Network video game Pain. He also starred in the horror movies Nite Tales and Dark Christmas. On May 10, 2010, Flav was a guest host for the wrestling show WWE Raw. He also hosted the Gathering of the Juggalos in 2011.
In 2012, Flav appeared in a Pepsi Co. advertisement with Elton John during Super Bowl XLVI. He also appeared as an honorary member of the UNLV Rebellion during a UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball game. From June to September 2012, Flav co-starred in a web series called Dr. Fubalous. He has also lent his voice to animated shows like YooHoo & Friends as Father Time, and the animated movie Hitpig!.
Flavor Flav and Sports
In 2023, Flavor Flav sang the Star Spangled Banner at a Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks basketball game. While some found his performance unusual, he said it was a dream come true and a way to honor military veterans.
He often helps Olympic athletes who are struggling financially. Flav signed a five-year sponsorship deal to be the official "hype man" for the United States women's national water polo team. He helped them financially as they prepared for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. He even traveled to France to cheer them on in person.
Flavor Flav also showed his support for US Gymnast Jordan Chiles. When her Bronze medal was taken away at the Paris 2024 games, he made her a special bronze clock necklace. He also helped raise money for the family of Paralympic sprinter Nick Mayhugh to travel to Paris. And he paid rent for Olympic Discus Thrower Veronica Fraley during the Olympic games.
Flavor Flav is a big fan of women's sports. He is often seen at WNBA games. In September 2024, he performed a special tribute to the late Fatman Scoop at a New York Liberty game.
Flavor Flav's Music Releases
- Solo albums
- Hollywood (2006)
- Guest appearances (songs he was featured on)
- Barshem, "Where's My $5 At?"
- Bumpy Knuckles & DJ Premier, "Shake the Room", Kolexxxion,
2012 - De La Soul, "Come on Down", The Grind Date,
2004 - DJ Tomekk, "1, 2, 3, ... Rhymes Galore" (with Grandmaster Flash, MC Rene & Afrob), Return of Hip Hop,
1999 - George Clinton, "Paint The White House Black" (with Chuck D, Ice Cube, MC Breed, Kam, Yo-Yo & Dr. Dre), Hey, Man, Smell My Finger,
1993;"Tweakin'" (with Chuck D), The Cinderella Theory,1989 - Heavy D and The Boyz, "You Can't See What I Can See", B-Side to "Don't Curse",
1992 - Ice Cube, "I'm Only Out for One Thang", AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted,
1990 - Living Colour, "Funny Vibe" (with Chuck D), Vivid,
1988 - Material, "Burnin" (with DXT), Intonarumori,
1999 - Nigo, "From New York to Tokyo",
2001 - Nikki D, "Lettin' Off Steam (Club Mix)", Daddy's Little Girl,
1991 - Prince Akeem, "Only We Can Do This", Coming Down Like Babylon,
1991 - Stop the Violence Movement, "Self Destruction",
1989 - Wu-Tang Clan, "Soul Power", Iron Flag,
2001 - Micayla de Ette, "Write a Song",
2019
- Music Video Cameos
- Eric B. & Rakim, "I Ain't No Joke"
- Xzibit, "What U See Is What U Get"
- P. Diddy, "P.E. 2000"
- Taking Back Sunday, "You're So Last Summer"
- Will Smith, "So Fresh" (with Biz Markie & Slick Rick)
Images for kids
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Flav performing at New Orleans Jazz Fest in 2014
See also
In Spanish: Flavor Flav para niños
