If music is a blemish, then he is the culprit because he is the member of Public Enemy. But can music be ever stained? No never, in whatever form it is presented. And he too cannot be accused rather deserve a great compliment for his tremendous service as a hip-hop artist. He is no other than Flavor Flav. Born talented came across Chuck D.
After some time the two friends met Khari Wynn, DJ Lord, and Richard Griffin and formed the band Public Enemy. The most accomplishing albums of this once ruling hip-hop band were ‘It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back’ and ‘Yo! Bum Rush the Show’. As an inevitable part of the band, Flav made a major contribution in complementing Chuch D in building the huge popularity of the band.
Unfortunately, the rapper instead of having immense talent paid heavily for his addiction towards alcohol, cocaine and Crack. For such practices, the rapper does not reach the height of which he was born. For this, the critics and fans had a very moderate feeling towards the rapper. He had been watched in numerous reality series of the VH1 as ‘Strange Love,’ ‘Flavor of Love’ and ‘The Surreal Life.’
Perhaps he could have gained more popularity that he has today. The same applies to his pecuniary strength. He could have earned more money. Still, instead of his shortfall due to addiction, the rapper had accumulated not less than 3 million dollars as his estimated net worth.
Early life
Before his musical career, he was William Jonathan Drayton Jr. born on 16th March 1959 at the Roosevelt, New York, United States of America. He is a born musician. He was born to William Sr. and Anna Drayton. From the very early childhood, it was observed that Flav is very intelligent, but sometimes more of anything ruins a man. He was always a troubled child and had always got him in some trouble or the other. Playing the lighter in his early childhood he once accidentally burned his house. He had been arrested several time for robbery or theft or burglary any misdoings. It is quite evident that while growing he was not sincere in his studies rather school would have been another avenue for some more trouble. Finally, he left school when he was in the eleventh standard.
A curse of destiny, instead of having the richness is robbed by the inner miscreant. Otherwise, how can he be the member of youth choir of the church, get involved in wrong deeds? He learned piano and is terrific even on the drums or guitar. He could play almost all the instruments of any band and if one goes by the number than it can be declared that Flav is good at playing almost 15 instruments.
So before coming across Chuck D his life was going through the stages, which was perhaps not within his control. It will not be an exaggeration to state that the band Public Enemy had saved him from becoming a real foe for the public. It has always been observed that crackers do always burst erroneously if the gunpowder is not efficiently tightened. Here one gets the feeling that the intelligent boy was not guided by some strict guardian.
Somehow cleared the schooling in 1978 from one culinary, instead of the formal school after being dropped in 11th standard because of some misdoings. Got into Adelphi University and while attending classes their met Carlton Ridenhour who later earned fame with his stage name Chuck D. The two friends decided to join hand and enjoy rap a bit. Gradually the intensity rose and in the close circles got some popularity for their raps. The two friends got into some college radio show with their hip-hop genre. They two excellent rappers came across Khari Wynn, DJ Lord, and Professor Griff and decided to form a band. On the Long Island in 1982, the rappers formed the hip-hop band Public Enemy.
Career
Public Enemy released their debut album in 1987 titled ‘Yo! Bum Rush the Show’ in which Flav well complements Chuch D’s severe political raps. Next year the group came out with yet another mind-blowing album titled ‘It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back’ which was hallmarked by Flav’s drumming on one single ‘Rebel Without a Pause’ and won double platinum. The very next year a single ‘Fight the Power’ made much upheaval as through it the Public Enemy wanted to urge the public to fight injustice. The lyrics were critical against John Wayne and Elvis Presley who were quite popular in American political scenario then.
‘Life Of A Nigerian’ was his debut solo in rap. The first major hit of Flav in solo came when he wrote ‘911 Is a Joke’ in 1990 which enriched the album ‘Fear of a Black Planet’. Sometimes he took the control over the stage with his eyes blocked by ‘stunna shades’ and a big clock hanging from the neck. He made the audience stand with his “Can’t-Do Nuttin’ for Ya Man,” “Too Much Posse,” or with “Cold Lampin’ with Flavor.” Unfortunately, the rapper fails to maintain the momentum of music rather got into addiction with Crack and cocaine. Most of the time, he would visit Betty Ford Clinic or Long Island Center for Recovery during this period. Old habit surfaced again, and because of wrong driving and domestic violence, he was again behind bars. Hiatus period of Public Enemy was not making any urgency in his thoughts. Situations worsen further, and the star rapper started scalping tickets around Bronx baseball arenas.
In 2003 old companion Chuck D convinced and helped Flav regain the lost treasure. He was invited into the VH1’s ‘The Surreal Life’ in 2004 where the bunch of celebrity coordinates in a live show. During this show, he came across Brigitte Nielsen. Next year they together started ‘Strange Love’ displaying the adventure of global trotting. In 2006 he was nominated for the Teen Choice Award. In 2007 ‘The Comedy Central roast of Flavor Flav’ was aired with some prominent figures of the entertainment world which includes Snoop Dogg, Carrot Top, Jeff Ross, Jimmy Kimmel, Lisa Lampanelli and more popular stars of the time. In 2008 ‘Nite Tales: The Movies’ featuring two films the rapper hosted karma and Storm.
In 2008 he appeared on MyNetwork TV sitcom for Calvester Hill along with Kelly Perine and Winston Hill. The show continued till 2009. In 2011 he opened Flav’s Fried Chicken with Nick Cimino but before the business gained any popular restaurant franchise was closed because of the personal conflicts. After a year with more intensity, he again tried in the same endeavor at Michigan under Flavor Flav’s Chicken & Ribs but again failed to continue the business. In 2012 he appeared on the ‘Celebrity Wife Swap,’ a reality TV show by ABC. The same year he triumphed with the UNLV Rebellion for their victory by 65-63 over San Diego. Apart from Public Enemy Flav had come up with a solo album titled ‘Hollywood’ which reach 80th rank on the chart of Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
Personal life
Quite understandably the rapper had confused himself in his personal life with the adherence of various relationships. Presently he lives with Liz Trujillo, his current girlfriend who had given birth to Karma. Other than Karma he has six more children with different ladies in his life. His other children are Dazyna, Shaniq, William, Quanah, Jasmine, and Kayla. All his relations have not reached the desired bonding of marriage. He played different instruments in his musical ventures and also maintained the same while playing with his life mingling with several ladies. Flav life album is featured by Latresha Bradford before the advent of Lyz. Before that, he had been in the life of Beverly Johnson and Brigitte Nielsen in 2003.
After that Tiffany Pollard came into his life. Then it turned for Nicole Alexander and Deelishis to accompany him followed by the companionship of Candace Cabrera. But for God’s grace, the rapper came across Lyz who had given her sincere effort to justify their relation and convinced Flav not to play with his life anymore.
Quick summary:
Full Name: William Jonathan Drayton Jr.
Date of Birth: 16th March 1959
Birth Place: Roosevelt, New York, United States of America
Age: 59 Year Old
Profession: Rapper, TV Personality
Height: 5 Feet 7 Inches / 170 cm
Weight: 68 Kg / 149 Pounds
Net worth: $3 Million
