Exploring Flavor Flav's Reflections on Life, Love, and the Entertainment Industry

These days, Flavor Flav is on the move, living life to the fullest without any time to spare. Recently, he has been seen backstage at a Bruce Springsteen concert, opening for U2, speaking at Harvard, and showing his admiration for Cher and Donny Osmond. Despite being the ultimate hype man, Flavor Flav is no stranger to fame himself. He even exchanged friendship bracelets with fans at a Swifties "Eras Tour" show.

Flav started his career in 1985 by co-founding the rap group Public Enemy. He was later honored with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In the early 2000s, he also appeared in reality shows like “The Surreal Life” and “Flavor of Love.”

Despite his many achievements, Flav remains passionate about life, his fellow artists, and his iconic clock necklaces. At 65 years old, he is currently working on a new reality series that will follow his journey to finally earn his high school diploma.

CNN recently interviewed Flav to capture some of his boundless enthusiasm. Our conversation covered his aspirations to meet Megan Thee Stallion and his commitment to staying humble like King Kong. The interview has been edited slightly for clarity and brevity.

CNN: Are those clock sunglasses you're wearing?

FF: “Yep. Those all vintage frames, baby vintage frames.”

CNN: So, as a fan, who have you met recently that you’re liking?

FF: “I got to meet Donny Osmond last week, you know what I’m saying?”

CNN: As a Swiftie, are you excited for the new album that came out this week?

FF: “I love Taylor Swift. Yeah. You know, power to the Swifties, power to the Swifties.”

Taylor Swift and Flavor Flav attend the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California on March 27, 2023.

Taylor Swift and Flavor Flav attend the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California on March 27, 2023.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

FF: "Yes, we both love wearing our clocks. We always set them to 12 o’clock. I like keeping mine on 12 because it points straight up. It’s a reminder for me to be honest and straightforward every day."

CNN: Love it. Ok, let’s get into it. What do you think’s happened in the last few years with you? Have you come to appreciate art and artists more?

FF: "The world has a lot of love for Public Enemy, and there's a lot of young artists that have a lot of love for Flavor Flav as well. So, I'm just embracing all of that and their music too."

CNN: How do you have all this energy? You have a young spirit.

FF: "I'm just trying to keep up with what's going on, you know what I'm saying? With all of the new stuff that's happening and all of these younger, new artists. Just trying to keep up."

FF: "I recently met Cher, and it was a surreal moment for me. I'm not sure if she recognized me, but it was clear that she knew I was a fan. I had been hoping to meet her for a long time, so when I found out she would be at the iHeart Awards, I knew this was my opportunity. I wanted to make sure she knew who I was, where I came from, and why I was there. And I can proudly say, mission accomplished!"

FF: I love Billie Eilish for who she is as a person. She's a remarkable young artist who is making history with her incredible talent and ambition. Like me, she's a go-getter, and that's why I admire her so much.

Flavor Flav and Billie Eilish.

Flavor Flav and Billie Eilish.

Christopher Polk/Billboard/Getty Images

CNN: You recently made it backstage to meet Bruce Springsteen, what was his reaction to you?

FF: "I was really hoping he recognized me. I always mention to everyone that I never did gymnastics, but I was flipping. The highlight was when he left the stage and walked into the audience. As he walked past me, he greeted his buddy Flavor Flav with a fist bump."

CNN: Have any famous people been eager to meet you?

I've been meeting a lot of celebrities lately, and I have a feeling that some of them wanted to meet me too. It's just that I reached out to them before they reached out to me.

CNN asked me who is still on my list to meet.

FF: “I haven’t met Megan Thee Stallion yet.”

CNN: Who’s the most famous person in your phone right now?

FF: “Beside myself? Babyface Edmonds. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Jelly Roll! LL Cool J.”

CNN: What do your kids think of all this fame and fanning?

Life for me right now is all about my kids having a great time just being themselves. My daily routine revolves around getting my son ready for school, dropping him off, picking him up, and just enjoying these simple moments with my family.

I'm currently enjoying my life to the fullest. I'm truly having a great time in my life at the moment. I want to share this with you because, you see, we only have one chance to live this physical life.

Isn't that the purpose of your clock necklace?

FF: I believe that we should make the most of our lives while we are here. Let's enjoy ourselves and have fun to the fullest because once we pass away, we will only be remembered through memories. It's important to leave behind positive, influential, and innovative memories that will be talked about for years to come.

CNN: Do you think about this every day?

FF: “Hey. Because you wake up every day knowing that life ain’t promised to you.”

CNN: Any final thoughts on your mind you want to get out?

You know, a lot of people see me as a big star, even bigger than King Kong. But to me, I just see myself as a regular human size. It's important to stay humble, you know? And I think that's one of the things that people appreciate about me the most - my humility. I'm a fan too, so when people ask for a picture, I always make time for them. Whether it's an autograph or a hug, I always try to make sure they get what they ask for. And these small gestures really go a long way.

Editor's P/S:

Flavor Flav, an iconic figure in hip-hop and beyond, exudes an infectious enthusiasm that has kept him relevant for decades. His recent appearances at high-profile events and his unwavering admiration for fellow artists highlight his passion for music and entertainment. Despite his fame, Flav remains grounded, prioritizing his children and finding joy in the simple moments of life.

Flav's emphasis on humility and his genuine interactions with fans underscore his belief in the power of human connection. His philosophy of making the most of life aligns with the symbolism of his clock necklaces, reminding him to live each day to the fullest and leave a positive legacy. Flav's ability to connect with people from all walks of life, from fellow musicians to Swifties, demonstrates his enduring appeal as a cultural icon.