Public Enemy's Flavor Flav Launches Flavortronz Cover Band

by SOREN BAKER

"Everybody says I'm the greatest hypeman in the world," Flavor Flav says. "Now it's time to be a frontman."

Flavor Flav has launched the Rock and Funk cover group the Flavortronz. 

"I'm dead serious about what I'm doing with this,” thePublic Enemy rapper says during an interview with Rolling Stone. "This band can take us to new heights. My concept is this: A lot of people love to come to concerts, get drunk and sing. You have to give people their favorite singalong songs. If I can accomplish that, then maybe one day I can be on a U2 level of filling stadiums.”

The Flavortronz, which also includes guitarist and musical director Karl Cochran, drummer Bobby Marks and keyboardist Benny Harrison recently performed its second concert at New York's Iridium Jazz Club. At that performance, the group delivered renditions of Buddy Miles' "Them Changes,” Wild Cherry's "Play That Funky Music," Edgar Winter Group's “Frankenstein” and Public Enemy’s “911 Is A Joke,” among other selections.

Flavor Flav, who has rapped and sang throughout his career, says that his new role as the focus of a group allows him to showcase more of artistry. 

"A lot of people can't picture Flavor Flav singing, and that's because they're used to seeing me in a certain light,” says Flavor Flav, who is Chuck D’s hype man in Public Enemy, which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "All of that, 'Yeah boy' and in-your-face stuff, I've been there, I've done that and I've proven myself to be who I am in that field. Everybody says I'm the greatest hypeman in the world. Now it's time to be a frontman."