After Flavor Flav's ouster, Public Enemy says he was on suspension since 2016: 'He chose party over work'
Following the recent firing of hypeman Flavor Flav from Public Enemy, the hip-hop group has released a statement clarifying their decision. Together, Chuck D, James Bomb, DJ Lord, Pop Diesel and Jahi of Public Enemy signed a new statement on March 2 that states the group "did not part ways with Flavor Flav over his political views", according to Billboard.
On March 1, Flav revealed a cease-and-desist letter that his lawyer sent to Bernie Sanders. The letter claimed that the Democratic presidential hopeful was using Flav's "unauthorized likeness, image and trademarked clock" at a Sanders rally in Los Angeles where Chuck D performed. Flav was not in agreement that Public Enemy was advertised to play at the Los Angeles event and claimed Chuck D was the one slated to perform. Flav said that he did not endorse any political candidate.
The statement continued, "Flavor Flav has been on suspension since 2016 when he was MIA from the Harry Belafonte benefit in Atlanta, Georgia. That was the last straw for the group." It stated, "He had previously missed numerous live gigs from Glastonbury to Canada, album recording sessions and photo shoots. He always chose to party over work."
According to the statement, the European May 2019 tour had Public Enemy Radio (the group's current name) and Wu-Tang Clan co-headline and the group proceeded "without flavor".
The statement read: "They have also done numerous benefit shows without Flavor. While Public Enemy Radio was moving forward, Flavor Flav was starring on the reality show 'Growing up Hip-Hop New York', where an episode featured his children discussing an intervention and putting him into rehab." The statement continued, "It's time to move on and everyone wishes Flavor well."
Earlier, the hypeman shared some heated tweets against Chuck D. It started with Chuck D tweeting that Flav "will NOT do free benefit shows" and "His ambulance lawyer sued me again on Friday & so now he stays home & better find REHAB (sic)."
To this Flav tweeted, "are you kidding me right now???... over Bernie Sanders??? You wanna destroy something we've built over 35 years OVER POLITICS??? all because I don't wanna endorse a candidate... I'm very disappointed in you and your decisions right now Chuck... (sic)."
He added, "Also @MrChuckD... i'm not on drugs like you're saying and have been clean for 10 years... i have battled addiction before and like millions of other Americans I know the massive toll it takes... Chuck you know better than to lie about shit like that (sic)."