In his role in Public Enemy, Flavor Flav is often considered one of Hip-Hop’s greatest hype-men. On several songs throughout the P.E. catalog, the Bronx-born, Long Island, New York-bred artist flexed his MC chops. He also was an accomplished DJ and radio personality 30 years ago. However, some may not realize that Flavor Flav is also a musician.

In a video alongside Father MC, Flavor keeps time behind the drum set as well as an electric keyboard. The vignette of clips begins with Flav behind a drum kit. He moves to the mic. After Flav does a small rendition of the former Uptown/MCA Records artist’s hit “I’ll Do 4 U,” he gets busy on the keys. Wearing two watches (as well as his clock medallion), Flavor Flav uses both hands to create a rich sound at the 2:15 mark. Father MC performs a song he calls “Take Me Away” as his friend drives the melody—based around Earth Wind & Fire’s “Devotion.”

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Notably, Flavor Flav showcased his piano chops over 30 years ago on P.E.’s Apocalypse 91…The Enemy Strikes Black, with his solo cut, “I Don’t Wanna Be Called Yo N__a.” Rock The Bells reports that Flav can play over 15 instruments. During Public Enemy’s 2013 Made In America Festival set, he played guitar.

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At the top of 2023, Flavor Flav self-released a new single, “Hands Up In The Air.” The song blends EDM production with Flav doing crowd work. Father MC released a sped-up re-release of “I’ll Do It 4 U” at Cleopatra Records in February.

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#BonusBeat: Ambrosia For Heads’ What’s The Headline podcast reacted to the Grammy’s Hip-Hop 50th anniversary tribute, including Flavor Flav and Chuck D, with strong praise:

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