Just when you thought this Presidential campaign could not get any more surreal:
I saw that this morning and thought it was really bizarre. You mean to tell me they’re choosing a 78-year-old politician over a founding member of the group? That seems a bit messed up.
Say what you will about Bernie, he knows how to garner support from multiple sides. I literally don’t think I could could up with two entertainers (or groups, eg Public Enemy) that are more different. While both being awesome.
Chuck D mentions Flav’s drug problems at the link.
It sounds to me like they’ve been performing without him for a while. It’s only now that he’s issuing a C&D that they’re kicking him out officially.
Well, that’ll teach me to only read entertainment headlines and not the story itself, boyeee!
If it helps, Bon Iver also played a Bernie rally before the Iowa caucus. The musical support for Sanders is wildly diverse.
Also at that rally, Sarah Silverman.
Wasn’t headlines over here but: that’ll teach me to only read thread titles and not the thread itself. Golly.
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He implies Flav is only wanting to make money to support his drug problem.
I didn’t even know Public enemy was still together.
Personally I think Chuck has shown tremendous patience and understanding over the past 20+ years as Flav has led a life that is the literal antithesis of the values Public Enemy espoused in their music. Chuck rode with him through the drugs and watched him sell out over and over and over again on reality TV and I don’t recall him ever saying a negative word.
Obviously Flav has/had no obligation to live his life by any rules other than his own but the hip hop community and fandom washed their hands of that dude long before the first episode of Flavor of Love was on the air and it looks like Chuck has finally had enough.
My new favorite Chuck D quote: “Flavor chooses to dance for his money and not do benevolent work…”
Yeah, I agree. I think to an extent Chuck wanted to let Flav go get his money because the music money wasn’t as good as their peak and not being a songwriter* Flav had to depend on performing to generate more income and pay for his stuff and child support.
Flav sued for royalties at one point and I don’t think it was fruitful. Many will say he’s an essential part of the performing act Public Enemy, but the reality is Chuck D is Public Enemy as far as the creative force and business/philanthropy. Flav is a glorified hypeman. There are plenty of bands/musical acts that have members that don’t add to the creative process at all and are fortunate to remain and receive compensation. It’s standard that there are leaders that control decisions and/or the lion’s share of the income/royalties due to songwriting credits and other factors.
Pretty true. But I do think Public Enemy loses something with Flav. He’s a nice counterpoint to Chuck’s seriousness. But I do understand the decision.