Rapper and reality television sensation Flavor Flav first gained notoriety as the witty hypeman in the late 1980s, and in the 2000s, he underwent a complete makeover.
He was a member of the famous rap group “Public Enemy.” Public Enemy was one of the early groups that gave black music a voice. His breakthrough album, “Yo! Bum Rush the Show,” changed rap forever when it was released on the Def Jam label in 1987. (1)
He has played in three bands in addition to Public Enemy. He has appeared in forty music videos. With three different stars, he has produced over seven other albums.
Flavor Flav's Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)
| Height | 170 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 68 kg |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Body Type | Fit |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Facts About Flavor Flav
| Nationality | American |
|---|---|
| Estimate Net Worth | $2 million |
| Religion | Christian |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Birthplace | Roosevelt, New York, U.S.A |
| Birthday | March 16, 1959 |
Flavor Flav's Net Worth
As of 2022, Flavor Flav has a net worth of $2 million. He amassed his wealth due to his membership in the hip-hop group “Public Enemy” and his participation in the reality TV programs “Flavor of Love,” “Strange Love,” “The Surreal Life,” and “Celebrity Wife Swap.”
Additionally, he had several film and television appearances, notably in “The Tuskegee Airmen,” “New Jack City,” and “Undercover Brother.” The “Flavor Flav EP” and “Flavor Flav” are just two of his solo albums.
Flavor Flav's Early Life
Flavor Flav’s real name is William Dayton Jr., born on March 16, 1959, in Long Island, New York. In Freeport, New York, he was raised. In addition to his parents, Flavor has a sister named Jean and a brother named Steven. His father, William Sr., owned a restaurant.
He is a self-taught pianist at the age of 5. He sang in the church’s youth choir and learned to play the piano, drums, and guitar at a young age. According to Chuck D, Drayton knows how to play 15 instruments. (2)
Drayton came from a family of rappers as he is related to the Wu-Tang Clan rappers Ol’ Dirty Bastard, RZA, Brooklyn MC Timbo, King of the Royal Fam, and GZA. He is also a relative to the former Penn State basketball player Shep Garner.
Flavor Flav's Education
Flavor Flav studied at Freeport High School, but he left in his junior year. He also attended Adelphi University on Long Island and, in 1978, earned a degree in culinary arts.
Flavor Flav's Relationships and Family Life
The past of Flavor Flav is pretty romantic. He once dated Beverly Johnson, but their relationship ended because of problems. Later, while appearing on the “Flavor of Love” show, he got engaged to Liz Trujilo.
In 1986, Flav wed Karen Ross, his first wife. They have three children; William Drayton, Shanique Drayton, and Karren Drayton. In 1991, they got divorced. (3) After that, he began an affair with Angie Parker, through which he had three children: William Drayton, Quanah Drayton, and Dazyna Drayton.
He also had a romantic relationship with Angie Parker and had 3 children. As of 2022, Flav resides in Las Vegas with Elizabeth Trujillo with their child, Karma. They were engaged for eight years and resided in a luxurious property in Las Vegas.
Flavor Flav's Career
Rapper
Flavor Flav met Chuck D, also known as Carlton Ridenhour, and Flav was adopted as his stage name from his graffiti tag while they were both students at Adelphi University on Long Island. They collaborated on songs together.
On the hip-hop college radio show of the former, Chuck D worked with Flav, and in 1982, they formed the hip-hop group “Public Enemy” together with Professor Griff, DJ Lord, and Khari Wynn.
“Yo! Bum Rush the Show,” Public Enemy’s debut album, was released in 1987 on Def Jam Recordings. Flav’s role as the hypeman complimented Chuck D’s political and serious rap. In 1988, his album, “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back,” achieved double platinum status.
The group’s 1989 political hit, “Fight the Power,” was a rallying cry against injustice and included derogatory lyrics about John Wayne and Elvis Presley, two well-known American idols.
Flavor Flav, commonly known as “Hollywood,” was Flav’s first and only album that wasn’t released with Public Enemy. (4)
Television and Movie Personality
Flavor Flav was invited to be a part of the VH1 reality series “The Surreal Life” in 2004. He also participated alongside his longtime girlfriend, Liz, in the reality television series “Celebrity Wife Swap” on ABC in 2012.
From 2006 to 2008, Flav was featured in a reality television show, “Flavor of Love.” In the reunion of Season 3, the singer pursues love and eventually marries his seventh child’s mother, Liz.
In 2008, Flav hosted a horror anthology film, “Nite Tales: The Movie.” From 2008 – 2009, he portrayed the role of Calvester Hill in the sitcom, “Under One Roof.”
Entrepreneur
In 2011, with business partner Nick Cimino, Flavor Flav opened “Flav’s Fried Chicken” in Iowa with a vision of expanding the business to a nationwide restaurant chain. However, the restaurant failed after a short period, and the partners began to point fingers at one another.
In 2012, with two other business partners, he opened “Flavor Flav’s Chicken & Ribs” in Michigan, but it failed the following year after they were kicked by their for not paying the rent.
Controversies and Scandals
Flavor Flav’s alcohol, crack, and cocaine addictions, which also impacted his personal life, hampered his talent. He remained away from music for most of the 1990s, either attending to legal matters or attempting to overcome his addiction troubles.
Flav has served prison terms for shooting at his neighbor and attempting to kill his neighbor and abusing his then-girlfriend, Karen Ross, for domestic violence, drug use, reckless driving, and other offenses.
Flavor Flav has experienced several legal and interpersonal issues despite his achievements. He struggled with addiction and was arrested for drug possession and assault in 2012. He had to pay back taxes totaling $1.8 million, and in 2015, he lost his property in Las Vegas due to unpaid rent.
References
- Stephan Jackson, Flavor Flav Net Worth 2022: Biography Income Career Cars, retrieved from https://caknowledge.com/flavor-flav-net-worth/
- Web Post, Flavor Flav Biography, retrieved from https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/flavor-flav-4001.php
- Scintillating Team, Flavor Fla’s New Worth 2022: Age, Spouse, Kid, Income, retrieved from https://www.scintillatingstars.com/flavor-flav-net-worth-2021-age-spouse-kids-income/
- John Mulder, Flavor Flav Net Worth, retrieved from https://wealthygorilla.com/flavor-flav-net-worth/