The Public Enemy co-founder insists Flavor was not kicked out of the group due to their different political views following dispute over Bernie Sanders support.
- Mar 4, 2020
AceShowbiz - Flavor Flav has responded after being fired from Public Enemy, admitting he's "very disappointed" in co-founder Chuck D.
The feud between the pair began after Chuck signed up to perform with offshoot band Public Enemy Radio at a Los Angeles rally for Bernie Sanders, leading to Flav sending the politician a cease-and-desist notice to stop using Public Enemy's name and his likeness in campaign propaganda.
Chuck then hit back at his original bandmate, with his attorney insisting he "could perform as Public Enemy if he ever wanted to" because "he is the sole owner of the Public Enemy trademark," and insisted on Twitter that his issues with Flav's stance don't stem from their political beliefs.
A few hours later, a statement from Public Enemy announced they would be "moving forward without" Flav, and the rapper responded on his own Twitter page on Monday night, March 2, 2020.
"Are you kidding me right now??? Over Bernie Sanders???" he tweeted. "You wanna destroy something we've built over 35 years OVER POLITICS??? All because I don't wanna endorse a candidate... I'm very disappointed in you and your decisions right now Chuck."
He then added that he is not Chuck's "employee… I'm your partner… you can't fire me," and tweeted, "There is no Public Enemy without Flavor Flav... so let's get it right Chuck."
Following his tweets, Public Enemy hit back in another statement, insisting they "did not part ways with Flavor Flav over his political views."
"Flavor Flav has been on suspension since 2016 when he was MIA from the Harry Belafonte benefit in Atlanta, Georgia," the statement continued. "That was the last straw for the group."
"He had previously missed numerous live gigs from Glastonbury to Canada, album recording sessions and photo shoots. He always chose to party over work."
Flav has yet to respond to the latest Public Enemy statement.
