Flavor Flav On Chuck D: “We Can Iron Out These Wrinkles”
With his signature clock draped around his neck and catchphrases like, “Yeaaaaah boyeeeee,” Flavor Flav has been Public Enemy’s colorful hype man for over three decades. But what many may not realize is Flav is far more than that — he’s a self-taught musical prodigy and plays over a dozen instruments. During Public Enemy’s live shows, it’s not uncommon for him to jump on the bass, drums and guitar to show off his skills.
“I really feel people underestimate me,” Flav tells HipHopDX. “You know the only thing that keeps me overestimated is me keeping myself out there in front of people’s eyes and showing them that, ‘Yes, this is who I am and this is what I really do, and this is what I can do.’ I’m the best at it. And ain’t nobody in this business better at it than I.”
As Chuck tours the world with Prophets of Rage, Public Enemy is momentarily in limbo. As intertwined as the mismatched duo is, they’re in the middle of a rough patch following the lawsuit Flav recently filed against Chuck’s company BTNE, which is co-owned by The Bomb Squad’s Gary Rinaldo. But Flav insists it’s something they’ll overcome.
“That’s my partner, man,” he says. “Let me tell you something. Did you know the long road that we have been down together? And all of the things that we accomplished together? And not only that but way before Public Enemy, we were together, and we were hustling together and trying to get on top together. All of those days can never be taken away from us. You know what I’m saying? And I love my partner Chuck so much, man, that there’s nothing in this world that I won’t do for Chuck.
“But as years go on, all families have conflict, but usually they end up working it out, and moving on,” he continues. “So that’s the situation with me and my partner Chuck D, you know? It’s just a few wrinkles in the situation, but we can iron out these…