Public Enemy made up of Chuck D, DJ Terminator X, Professor Griff and Flavor Flav is when Flavor made his introduction as hype man.  Flavor, really did stand out as the hype man in the group creating a strong stage presence.  Their first album was called Yo! Bum Rush the Show in 1987.  The group had a comeback single after following a hiatus, called “He Got Game,” this was a title song for a film by Spike Lee.  Self trained on most of his musical instrument, Flavor can play over 13 instruments.  Some people think of the word flamboyant and Flavor Flav as being synonymous.  After all Flavor would not be Flavor if he did not stand out with his unique style and stage presence.

 Flavor mania started when Flavor appeared in the third season of The Surreal Life on VH1.  He had a unique relationship with the Danish actress Brigitte Nielsen.  Now this really got TV viewers to watch the reality show.  Nielsen came up with a nick name for Flavor that kept viewers interest.  She called Flavor “Foofy Foofy.”  Well Foofy Foofy got them a spin-off reality series, called Strange Love in 2205.  This was a very memorable relationship even though Nielsen ended up choosing her other boyfriend, Mattia Dessi.  Next Flavor appeared as a contestant for a show called “The Farm,”on the UK channel five.  This was an interesting concept for a show giving the contestants farming duties to survive the show.  Flavor was on the road to success when he took the role on the VH1 reality series called, “Flavor of Love” in 2006.  He was searching for love and had 20 single females who were in competition for Flavors love.  The show was so suspenseful, each week waiting to see who Flavor would eliminate from the competition.  Another unique twist on Flavor’s reality show is that he nick names the females at the spur of the moment on the first night of his show.  The real names of the women are protected.  The show was a smash hit.  In the end Flavor choose three women, Punkin, New York and Hoopz.  Hoopz won Flavor’s heart but the romance was short lived. 

 The season finale was incredible with one of the highest-rated shows in VH1 history.  VH1 brought Flavor back to do another reality show.  The second season included New York which created more excitement.  New York was brought back to find out who was really on the show for Flavor and who just came on the show for fame.  Flavor, took another look a New York and planted a kiss and his clock on her.  Keeping New York on the show created tension amongst the other contestants.  Drama Oh Drama…ratings continued to climb.  However, in the end Flavor turns to Chandra “Deelishis” Davis over New York for a chance at love.  The finale of the second season in 2007, was one of the highest-rated episode with viewers up to 3 MILLION.  New York was such a strong character she landed her own spin-off show called I Love New York.   Other spin-offs aired like Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School.  The show was hosted by Mo’Nique on location at the Connecticut School of Etiquette and each contestant had a chance to win a cash prize of $50,000.  The show had over 1 MILLION viewers and the winner was Saaphyrii from the Flavor of Love Season 2 show.

 Flavor has since made guest appearance on other shows and who can forget Comedy Central’s Roast.  He is a man that took reality television by surprise.  Flavor, has crossed all barriers in the entertainment world.  His third and final season is said to be even more suspenseful.  When asked if Flavor would tape another Flavor of Love show he said, “no, I’m done…that’s it.”  Well, we hope Flavor finds love this last season because as Flavor would say, “it’s BANANAS.”

DM:  Flavor who discovered you?
FF:  [laughter] my mom and God.  As far as my career Public Enemy started my career.  I can say it was the people that made Public Enemy.  I feel that with out the fans we would have no Flavor Flav.  Also, MC Hammer had a lot to do with me going on a reality show.  He really had one of the first Surreal shows.  I asked Hammer if he thought I should go on the show and he said yes.  Hammer also said, “man you should do this and watch your life change, it changed my life.”  Hammer was right it changed my life and I’m glad I took his advice.

DM:  Who taught you to play classical music?
FF:  I taught myself how to play musical instruments…I learned by ear.

DM:  Has anyone walked up to you…a total stranger and asked you to marry them?
FF: [laughter] Flavor Flav…no I’m too young to die.  I would have to get to know that person.  You know like laugh together and cry together.

DM:  Tell me how your life has changed now that you are a TV star.
FF:  I don’t see myself as a big TV star.  I’m very down to earth and humble.  Besides I believe people don’t change time changes people.

DM:  What’s the finale going to be like?  Also, will you do another show?
FF:  The finale is going to be more suspenseful then the last show…it’s going to be bananas…suspense, suspense and more suspense.

DM:  What knowledge can you share with our readers, who would like to follow in your footsteps?
FF:  Follow the right footsteps and you have to be protected with an entertainment lawyer.  Keep people you trust around you.  The answer to your second question it’s been fun but no I will not be doing another Flavor of Love.

DM:  Have you found love Flav?
FF:  I don’t want to say yet…just watch the show [laughter] Yeah Boy!!

DM:  Do you have projects coming out after your finale?
FF:  Yes, I have a show called “UNDER ONE ROOF.”  It’s a television sitcom coming out this spring.  I play an ex-convict who lives with his brother.  The brother is like a Donald Trump.  We have some great producers like Claude Brooks, Darryl Quarles of “Big Momma’s House, Clifton Johnson and so many more great talents.  I’m also one of the producers.

DM:  Flavor thank you for your time with Center Stage Magazine wishing you the best…and I can’t wait to see your new comedy show.
FF:  Thank you for having me and you have a wonder rest of the day.

 You read it here Flavor Flav will have a show coming out in the spring called, “UNDER ONE ROOF.” 
Just the title sounds like the makings of a great situational comedy.

Donza Meagley, Managing Editor, Center Stage Magazine

Center Stage Magazine                             Top