Flavor Flav ‘overwhelmed’ by Grammys jam
FLAVOR Flav has had quite a life — of this we can agree. Even his ever-present necklace/ timepiece cannot keep pace with the pace-setting hip-hop artist.
So, it’s not a small statement when Flav says, “That was one of the greatest times of my life, man. I’m really, just, overwhelmed by it.” Along with Public Enemy co-founder Chuck D performing “Rebel Without a Pause,” Flav was part of a smoking tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop at Sunday’s Grammy Awards show. Hip-hop royalty from the past five decades performed, including Big
Boi, Black Thought, Busta Rhymes with Spliff Star, De La Soul, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Missy Elliott, Glorilla, Grandmaster Flash, Ice-t, Lil Baby,
The Lox, Method Man, Nelly, Queen Latifah, Rahiem, Rakim, RUN-DMC, Salt-npepa, Scarface, Swizz Beatz
and Too $hort.
The scene was akin to a celebration of life for a departed legend. But it was not that, says the artist born William Jonathan Drayton Jr.
“It was the most incredible feelings, being able to be in a room full of celebs and it was not a funeral,” Flav says, speaking by phone from L.A. just before returning to his home in Las Vegas. “I ain’t gonna lie: Usually when the celebs get together like this, it’s because someone has passed away and we’re seeing him off. But this was a party, and it was blowing up!”
Flav is asked if he ever thought, during the infancy of Public Enemy and of hip-hop itself, if we’d be celebrating the genre in 50 years.
“A lot of people thought that hip-hop would never last this long, you know?” Flav says.
“But I’m saying it’s getting even stronger and stronger, stronger every day.”
His favorite collaborator to share the stage with?
“All of them!” Flav says. “All of it!”
Flav has a new single out, “Hands Up in the Air,” which could either be human hands or those on a clock. He’s excited about the recording and attending the Super Bowl party hosted by Jim Brown this weekend in Phoenix. Brown befriended a young Flav when the rapper first moved to L.A.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer adds that he needs to drive back to Las Vegas, rather than fly.
“They gave me so much in gift bags, stuff that they gave me from the Grammys. I’ve gotta take this stuff back and there’s no way I’m taking it on a plane,” Flav says. “I said, ‘OK, I’ll drive it back. I’ll just put my head down and drive back to Las Vegas!’ ”
As always, Flav’s clock is running fast, as he accelerates to his 64th birthday on March 16. New single. Super Bowl party. Killer performance on the Grammys telecast. Flav is certainly not gearing down.
“To tell you the truth, I’ve always had the vision of me doing this, and being able to deliver this job, until I go into the ground,” Flav says. “Even when I get to my 80s and 90s, the whole nine, you know? God gave me the strength to do it, baby, and that’s what’s gonna happen!”
More of Morrison
The marvelous night for a moondance returns in September at Zappos Theater.
Van Morrison is set to play three shows at Planet Hollywood Resort at 8 p.m. Sept. 6, 8 and 9. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at Ticketmaster.com.
The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter’s fans span several generations and include his contemporaries (Bill Medley of the
Righteous Brothers among them). With such rock anthems as “Brown-eyed Girl,” “Gloria,” “Wild Night” and the above-referenced “Moondance,” Morrison has more than 150 songs featured in major motion pictures.
The 77-year-old most recently headlined Vegas at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
Snoop-er Bowl
Wynn Nightlife is descending on the Super Bowl scene in Phoenix with a quartet of smash parties. Shaq’s Fun
House, hosted by DJ Diesel (Shaquille O’neal’s alter ego)
with Snoop Dogg and Diplo is Friday; Gronk’s Beach Fest hosted by the frequently retired Rob Gronkowski with
32 Savage, Diplo and Lil Jon is Saturday; Sports Illustrated: The Party is also Saturday, with the Chainsmokers and
Machine Gun Kelly; and Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Tailgate party with Diplo and Locash is Sunday.
VIP tables are available at wynnnightlife.com. The hunch is go with Shaq and/or Gronk, budget permitting.
Cool Hang Alert
Jonny Bird is soaring — soaring, I tell you — with his “Rise of the Phoenix” showcase at 8 p.m. Wednesday (doors at 6, buffet dinner at 6:30) at the Italian American Club Showroom. Bird is a veteran showman who has performed for years around town. Very entertaining, energetic and the room rocks. Go to iacvegas.com for intel.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section.
His “Podkats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal. com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal. com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @Johnnykats1 on Instagram.