Flavor Flav sent a statement to Billboard on Saturday disavowing Bernie Sanders' upcoming rally in Los Angeles that will feature Public Enemy, according to XXL.
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He wants to make it clear that he does not support the candidate and would prefer the rally advertise as "Chuck D of Public Enemy" and not "Public Enemy."
"We have become aware that Flavor’s bandmate and Public Enemy co-creator, Chuck D, has endorsed Bernie Sanders’ candidacy for President and plans to perform at an upcoming Sanders Rally," Flav's attorney Matthew H. Friedman says in the statement sent to Billboard. "While Chuck is certainly free to express his political views as he sees fit—his voice alone does not speak for Public Enemy. The planned performance will only be Chuck D of Public Enemy, it will not be a performance by Public Enemy. Those who truly know what Public Enemy stands for know what time it is, there is no Public Enemy without Flavor Flav.
“Sanders has promised to ‘Fight the Power’ with hip hop icons Public Enemy—but this Rap Icon will not be performing at the Sanders Rally,” the statement continues. “To be clear Flav and, by extension, the Hall of Fame hip hop act Public Enemy with which his likeness and name have become synonymous has not endorsed any political candidate in this election cycle and any suggestion to the contrary is plainly untrue. The continued publicizing of this grossly misleading narrative is, at a minimum, careless and irresponsible if not intentionally misleading.”
He finishes by taking a jab at the campaign: "Flav has always delivered his authentic self. That authenticity compels him to speak out to ensure voters are not misled and that Public Enemy’s music does not become the soundtrack of a fake revolution."
The Bernie Sanders "Fight The Power" rally featuring Public Enemy is scheduled for March 1st at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Usher, Alicia Keys, John Legend, H.E.R. To Honor Prince With Grammy Special
The special will air sometime in April.
We’re just weeks away from the 62nd annual Grammy Awards where some of our favorite artists will find out whether or not they’ve been recognized as the best in their respective nominated categories. Aside from all of the pomp, late icon Prince is set to receive a star-studded tribute two days after the coveted ceremony, a music number directed by his longtime friends and collaborators, Sheila E, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis.
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The world lost an incredible musician when Prince was found dead at his Paisley Park home in 2016, and since that time, there have been numerous tributes delivered by various performers. This time around, a handful of artists will join together at the Los Angeles Convention Center for the live show that’s reportedly set to broadcast sometime in April.
Usher, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Common, H.E.R., Mavis Staples, Chris Martin, St. Vincent, Beck, Foo Fights, Juanes, Gary Clark Jr. and Earth, Wind & Fire are all set to take to the stage to perform a few of Prince’s greatest hits. Prince’s former band the Revolution along wwith Morris Day and the Time are reported to make appearances, as well.
“I was very honored to be able to do this for so many reasons, but to be able to help celebrate the life of a dear friend and be a part of this and be musical director is awesome,” Sheila E. told Rolling Stone. “Musically, there’s so much to choose from. It’s almost unfair to do a two-hour tribute to him — we could do a full week. At the end of the day, it’s him bringing people together and having a good time.” Let us know what you think about the line-up and if there’s an artist you believe should have been included.