January 16, 2024

In a recent interview on SiriusXM's "Have a Nice Day" with Roxanne Shante, Flavor Flav, the iconic hypeman and rapper of Public Enemy, shared the amusing and unconventional origin story of his famous clock chain. The inspiration struck when a crack addict visited his neighborhood, attempting to sell stolen shower clocks. Seizing the opportunity for humor, Flav's friend, Son of Berserk, placed one of these shower clocks around Flav's neck, and the resulting laughter turned it into a running joke.

The turning point for the clock's transformation into a signature piece happened during a daring challenge. Public Enemy had an opening slot for the Beastie Boys in New Jersey in 1986, and Flav was dared to wear the clock on stage. To his surprise, the unconventional accessory garnered significant attention, making headlines in prominent newspapers like Newsday and the New York Times.


Flavor Flav had previously shared this tale in a 2019 interview with DJ Vlad, emphasizing the influence of dares during those early days. He highlighted that Chuck D, his bandmate in Public Enemy, also sported clocks as part of their wardrobe initially. Despite suggestions to retire the clock, Flav adamantly refused, solidifying it as a defining element of his on-stage persona.

Beyond the lighthearted origin of his clock, Flavor Flav has also opened up about his past struggles with drug addiction. In a candid conversation with DJ Akademiks earlier this year, he revealed that he once concealed the extent of his drug use. As he grew weary of that lifestyle, he eventually decided to share his experiences publicly, shedding light on the challenges he faced. Flav disclosed spending a substantial amount, between $2,400 to $2,600 daily, on drugs at one point in his life.

Flavor Flav's journey, marked by humor, iconic accessories, and personal challenges, continues to be a distinctive chapter in the annals of hip-hop history.


Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.