Interview Only: Flavor Flav

Summary

Summary of "Interview Only: Flavor Flav" on The Stephen A. Smith Show

Release Date: February 27, 2025
Podcast: The Stephen A. Smith Show
Host: Stephen A. Smith
Guest: Flavor Flav

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1. Introduction

The episode features a candid and in-depth interview between host Stephen A. Smith and the iconic hip-hop personality Flavor Flav. The conversation delves into Flavor Flav's illustrious career, his role in Public Enemy, the evolution of the hip-hop industry, and his philanthropic efforts.

2. Origin of Flavor Flav's Name and Early Career

Flavor Flav begins by sharing the story behind his distinctive moniker. He explains that his nickname originated from his love for various flavored sodas and candies, detailing, "I used to drink a lot of different flavored sodas... my nickname that I grew up with is Rico... [He was called] the Flavor Freak" (02:32). This led to his eventual adoption of the name Flavor Flav, a decision influenced by Chuck D's vision for a unique identity within the rap group.

3. Founding and Impact of Public Enemy

Flavor Flav recounts the formation of Public Enemy, highlighting his collaboration with Chuck D and other group members. He describes their early days in Hempstead, Long Island, and the pivotal moment when Chuck D insisted on including him in Def Jam despite initial reservations from the label executives: "Because Chuck was like, yo, listen, if he’s not... this ain't gonna work" (07:51). This decision was crucial in shaping the group's future and cementing their place in hip-hop history.

4. The Role of the Hype Man and Flavor Flav’s Legacy

Discussing his role as a hype man, Flavor Flav expresses pride in being recognized by Chuck D as "the greatest hype man in music history." He elaborates on his influence, stating, "I was the originator... the first hype man in rap music" (09:30). Flav acknowledges other notable hype men like Bushwick Bill and Busta Rhymes, emphasizing his foundational role in defining the hype man archetype within the genre.

5. Public Enemy's Message and Societal Impact

The conversation shifts to Public Enemy's powerful messages against oppression and societal injustices. Flavor Flav emphasizes their fearless approach, citing their performance in South Carolina where they confronted a Ku Klux Klansman on stage: "We never feared anybody... whatever we did, it came from our heart" (14:33). He underscores the group's commitment to being the "CNN of the streets," providing unfiltered commentary on black struggles and advocating for change.

6. Shifting Hip-Hop Industry and Modern Rap

Flavor Flav critiques the contemporary hip-hop landscape, lamenting the shift away from meaningful messages towards glorification of negative elements like guns and drugs: "I just wish that a lot of rap records today have more messages" (19:12). He contrasts this with the purposeful lyrics of Public Enemy, advocating for a return to rap that uplifts communities and fosters positive change.

7. Public Enemy and Contemporary Artists: Kendrick Lamar and Drake

Addressing the recent rap battle between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, Flavor Flav praises both artists as "trendsetters" but expresses a nuanced view on the outcomes: "I applaud both of them... I love them both equally" (20:23). Stephen A. Smith engages in a light-hearted debate about Drake's strategies in the industry, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and battling one's way up rather than relying on legal maneuvers.

8. Philanthropy: Support for Displaced Black Families

Transitioning to philanthropy, Flavor Flav discusses his and Stephen A. Smith's initiative to support black families displaced by the Altadena Eaton wildfires in California. Partnering with the Black Music Action Coalition, they launched the "Displaced Black Families Go Fund Me" to provide much-needed assistance: "We created that GoFundMe to help them out" (22:29). Flav shares emotional reflections from visiting affected areas, drawing parallels to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and reaffirming his commitment with the slogan "LA Strong."

9. Personal Interests: Basketball Discussions

In a spirited segment, the duo engages in a passionate debate about basketball legends. Flavor Flav extols LeBron James as his favorite current player while passionately arguing that Dr. Julius Erving ("Dr. J") deserves recognition as the greatest: "There's only one Michael Jordan" (24:32). The conversation highlights Flav's deep appreciation for the sport and its icons, blending personal admiration with broader cultural reflections.

10. Closing Remarks

The interview concludes with mutual respect and admiration between Stephen A. Smith and Flavor Flav. Flavor Flav commends Stephen for his unique presence in sports broadcasting, stating, "You built your own lane... ain't no other sports announcer out there like Stephen A. Smith" (27:05). They share heartfelt words, reflecting the enduring legacy of both men in their respective fields.

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Notable Quotes

• Flavor Flav on Origin of His Name:
  "I used to drink a lot of different flavored sodas... my nickname that I grew up with is Rico... [He was called] the Flavor Freak." (02:32)

• On Being the Greatest Hype Man:
  "I was the originator... the first hype man in rap music." (09:30)

• Public Enemy’s Fearlessness:
  "We never feared anybody... whatever we did, it came from our heart." (14:33)

• On Modern Rap’s Lack of Message:
  "I just wish that a lot of rap records today have more messages." (19:12)

• Philantropy Efforts:
  "We created that GoFundMe to help them out." (22:29)

• Admiration for Stephen A. Smith:
  "You built your own lane... ain't no other sports announcer out there like Stephen A. Smith." (27:05)

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This interview offers a comprehensive look into Flavor Flav's journey, his impact on hip-hop, and his ongoing efforts to give back to the community. His insights provide valuable perspectives on the evolution of rap music, the importance of meaningful content, and the role of influential personalities in shaping cultural narratives.

Transcript

[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the king of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday, keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Julie Swerbinks]

What's up, everyone? Julie Swerbinks here, along with former NHL player Nate Thompson. We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go. The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb. Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right? Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us. Julia's pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe. Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Man, I couldn't wait for this one. I couldn't wait for this one. Ladies and gentlemen, he is my next guest. He is a Grammy lifetime Achievement award winner. He is a member of the Rock and Roll hall of Fame, recipient of the Rock and Roll hall of Fame, a founding member, the founding member of the iconic group, the greatest group ever as far as I'm concerned, Public Enemy. All right. The one and only Flavor Flame.

[Flavor Flav]

Steven. Hey, what's up, baby?

[Stephen A. Smith]

How you doing, man?

[Flavor Flav]

Hey, man. Like a coat in the closet. Hanging in there, baby.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I have never had the pleasure of meeting you, man. It is an honor, brother. It's been. I met you on several occasions, but I've never, ever interviewed you. I gotta know this. They, they, they. Flavor Flav. I mean, who the hell came up with that name? I mean, who would think of that name? It had to be you.

[Flavor Flav]

Well, honestly, you know, back in the day, there was a guy that used to watch over me, you know what I'm saying? His name was Kevin Starks. You know what I'm saying? And way back in the day, you know, I used to, you know, drink a lot of different flavored sodas. You know, the fruit punch, orange, grape, you know, everything, right? Cherry and all that. And then also, you know, I like Lifesavers, you know, a bunch of life savers. You know, the charms, lollipops, and all of that and. And my nickname that I grew up with is Rico.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Oh.

[Flavor Flav]

So he used to call me Reek, the Flavor Freak.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Wow.

[Flavor Flav]

You know what I'm saying? So when MC and first came around Stephen, back in the days, you know what I'm saying? And everybody had these common names. I wanted a name that nobody had. Nobody wanted, but yet it had to mean something. So I tried MC Flavor. And you know what? I stuck with that. And it was Chuck D that started calling me Flavor Flav.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So Chuck D started calling you Flavor Flavor Flav?

[Flavor Flav]

Because back in the days, remember, we used to be like, yo, Bobby Bob, yo, Johnny John. You know, it was Chuck that started calling me Flavor Flav.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So you started the rap group Public Enemy. You founded this group?

[Flavor Flav]

Yes.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Tell me how that came about. I've never heard this story.

[Flavor Flav]

Well, it all started about. You know, it all started when I was on my way up to the studio to go visit with my boy Chuck and Hank and Keith Shockley, you know what I'm saying? We had the studio in Hempstead, Long Island. All right? And I walked up to the studio one day. Steve. Stephen, man. And I heard. I'm like, what in the world is Chuck doing up in here, man? I walked in. I walked in the studio. Stephen. Chuck D. Back in the days. Remember, we had the cassette tapes?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yep.

[Flavor Flav]

My boy Chuck D had to have the cassette tape coming out of the cassette deck, around the microphone stand, back into the cassette deck.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Wow.

[Flavor Flav]

Ladies and gentlemen, I don't care what nobody say, that was the first loop. Because back in the days, we used to make records with loops and stuff, you know what I mean? So anyway, so I told Chuck the story about this guy that wanted to battle him, you know what I'm saying? In the whole nine. I was on my way up to the studio.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So somebody wanted to battle Chuck, and.

[Flavor Flav]

Somebody wanted to battle. Battle Chuck, you know what I'm saying? So I was like, yo, Chuck, don't battle. You know what I'm saying? If anything will set you up for battle. He was like, yeah, but your man swear he nice. I said, look, he don't swear he nice, bro. He knows he nice, right? So anyway, Chuck was like, yo, put that story on the beginning of this tape. Because we were making it, making a tape for WBAU, 90.3 FM. You know, our radio. Our radio station, right? From Delphi University. So when I got on the mic and I was like, hey, yo, Chuck, bust the move, man. I was on my way up here to the studio, and this brother stopped me and asked me, yo, what's up with that brother, Chucky D? He swear he nice. I said, the brother don't swear he nice. He knows he's nice. You know what I'm saying? So, Chuck, I got a feeling you turned into a public enemy man. Now, remember that line you was kicking at me on the way out to la, Lawrence and Queens while we was in the car on the way to the shop? Well, right now, kick the base for them brothers and let them know, chuck, what goes on. Chuck says, what goes on? Well, I'm all in. Put it up on the board. Another rapid side down from the mouth that Roy like, Yo, yo, we gotta put this out. We gotta put this out. So. So we put it out, you know what I'm saying? On our radio station and everything. And dmc, I mean, Run running, Jam Master J and M went crazy over it. So it was Jam Master J.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You know, I grew up. I grew up with them. I grew up with them. Hollis, Queens. My late brother. Yeah, my late brother. My dad. My brother died in a car accident in 1992. He was really, really good friends with Jam Master Jay. I grew up on 203rd between 111th, 112. And Jam Master J was on the next block between 111th and Hollis.

[Flavor Flav]

Wow.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So that's where it was. So Jam Master J. Now, when my brother passed away in a car accident, I was the one that let him know because he was away on tour, Run dmc, and then was away on tour. And they came back and he came looking for my brother. And I had to let him know what had happened. He didn't even know that my brother had passed away. That's how far back I went with Jam Master Jay. And Run DMC obviously was in the neighborhood in the whole. No doubt. That's how far back it goes.

[Flavor Flav]

No doubt.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Go ahead.

[Flavor Flav]

Well, Jam Master J came up to the radio station, he was like, yo, where's your boy Chuck, man? Where's Chuck? We wanna see Chuck. I said, chuck is at the studio. So I got in the car with Jam Master Jay and dmc, right? We went to. Took him to the studio. And Jam Master Jay is the one that was trying to talk Chuck into putting Public Enemy Number one out on Def Jam. At the time, you know, Def Jam didn't really have a lot of money then and everything, so the artists wasn't really getting a fair shake around that time. But when the Beasties went platinum, Rome went platinum, LL went platinum. Now they had enough money. You know what I'm saying. And Chuck said, you know what? Okay, come on. I'm down. You know what I'm saying? So we went to the. We went to Def Jam and everything to sign in the whole nine. Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons. They did not want me. They only wanted Chuck.

[Stephen A. Smith]

They didn't want you.

[Flavor Flav]

They don't want me. Because back in the days, you know, the voice texture, you know what I'm saying? I mean, the style was that. Wonder how I keep on going under. It was that basic. That basic voice, you know what I'm saying? But my voice was real high. It was peaky. It was annoying, and the whole nine. So they didn't want me. So Chuck was like, yo, listen, if he's not. If I don't have him, then this ain't gonna work. So it was Chuck D that forced me down Def Jam Stoke, you know what I'm saying?

[Stephen A. Smith]

How do you. When you think about Chuck D and him taking that position and risking jumpstarting what obviously and undeniably was a flourishing career, his willingness to stick with you. Why do you think that was? Why did he do that?

[Flavor Flav]

But his willingness to stick with me because we were a team, you know, teamwork make the dream work.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Right?

[Flavor Flav]

You know what I'm saying?

[Stephen A. Smith]

And it's just that kind of principle.

[Flavor Flav]

And we made a hell of a team, no question. We made a hell of a team, you know what I'm saying? I mean, if it ain't broken, you don't fix it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Chuck D, I saw an interview with him one time years ago. He called you the greatest hype man in music history. He said, you want to turn a show out, you want to get an audience hyped up? He said, you don't need anything but Flavor Flav. There is none. Nobody has ever, ever been better than him. First of all, do you agree with that? And secondly, how does it make you feel to hear that Chuck D said that about you?

[Flavor Flav]

I mean, well, I know that I am the originator, you know what I'm saying? The first hype man in rap music, period. You know what I'm saying? And my job was just to go out there on the stage, really just get the crowd hype. That was my job, to get the crowd hype. And I was always good with hyping up the crowd, you know what I'm saying? So. So. So that's how I got that title, you know what I'm saying? I say the second Flavor Flav of the business was my boy Bushwick Bill, okay? From the Ghetto Boys. Because everything Bill did was Flavor Flav. Everything, you know. Did he give you props for it, man? Sure. Sure he did, man. That was my little brother, man. That was my brother, man. You know what I'm saying? The third flavor Flavor the Business, I say Busta Rhymes.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay, I was gonna say dmx. I was gonna say dmx. Just the hype, man. But dmx, that you talking about?

[Flavor Flav]

But DMX was a solo. He was a solo artist. But we talking about, you know, group wise, you know what I'm saying? And Busta Rhymes came from Leaders of the New School, okay? So he was like the hype man of Leaders of the New School, you know what I'm saying? Then the fourth flavor Flavor the business, I say, was my cousin, odb. Well, damn.

[Stephen A. Smith]

How many, how many, how many layers of flavor? Flavor is there? Damn it, you just gave me five.

[Flavor Flav]

Five.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Five. Okay, go ahead.

[Flavor Flav]

You know what I'm saying? There's five.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm listening.

[Flavor Flav]

You know what I'm saying, number four was ODB from Wu Tang. Listen, number five, Spliff Star from Flip Mode, okay? And he's still with Buster right now. Tan up stuff, you know what I'm saying?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Special. So when you think about a hype man, and, you know, we know the job that comes with it, whatever, people would look at you and say, that's all you are, what would you describe yourself as being? Is it just that or was it so much more than that? And people never really, really appreciated what you brought to the table.

[Flavor Flav]

Well, I could. I, I, I consider me that, you know what I'm saying? And plus, I was a whole lot more. I was a leader, I was a trendsetter, you know what I'm saying? Because I set trends, you know what I'm saying?

[Stephen A. Smith]

That big ass clock you should have been wearing around your neck for the.

[Flavor Flav]

Last three decades, I'm trying to tell you now. And not only that, but, you know, I'm the one that put out to say, back in the day, the high top fade, okay, that's Flav. The High Top Flav. Yeah. The high top fade was Flav, okay? You know what I'm saying? Then Kid and Play came with his play from Kid and Play. The reason why his hair was so high is because we were in competition. And he said, flav, when I passed you, I'm never gonna let you catch me. So that's why his was so high, you know what I'm saying? But the first ones that had a fade, the low top fade, was Grace Jones and Larry Blackman. You know what I mean? The whole nine. I just took it and I grew mine high. And then I put that out in the street. Then everybody start taking my hairstyle, cutting it into the gumbies. Have you ever had a Gumby?

[Stephen A. Smith]

No, I have not. I have not. Not me. Not me. You know, I gotta ask you this, man, because growing up listening to Public Enemy, man, I. The lyrics was what moved me, you know what I'm saying? They didn't. They didn't care. Fight the Power is my all time favorite. I still listen to Give It Up.

[Flavor Flav]

Wow.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Every morning right now I do that, you know, so 91 1's a joke. I mean, come on. The list goes on and on. I'm just wondering, first of all, what's your favorite song of all time by Public Enemy?

[Flavor Flav]

Public Enemy number one, because. Because that's the first record that we ever made. And that's the one that I had most fun making, you know what I'm saying? And I. And I had a lot of involvement, you know, with making that record, you know, but it was our first record, our first single, you know what I'm saying? And yeah, it's my favorite one. Out of all of them, out of everything that we've ever made, what do.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You believe was the most impactful? Which song? I'd say Fight the Power.

[Flavor Flav]

Fight the Power, definitely. And Fight the Power is also the song that launched us into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame.

[Stephen A. Smith]

When you think about that, we know what that stands for. We know that was all about you was speaking against the man, speaking against the system, speaking against oppression in the eyes of a lot of black people. That's how we absorbed, and that's why we admired and loved y'all so much. And I love the title Public Enemy because it personified that mentality. That's. I love Chuck D so much. Because Chuck D was like, they the enemy, whoever they are. And here we come. Because we know y'all don't think this of us. We know y'all trying to hold us back. And you were calling it out with song after song after song. Did you ever worry that the public at large would come against you Just the same way they went against nwa, it's the same way they went against other music groups. In the past, did you ever fear that you would be a target because you were Public Enemy?

[Flavor Flav]

We never feared anything. And that's the reason why we did what we did, you know what I'm saying? Because we wanted to, you know, we were the CNN of the streets. You know what I'm saying? In the whole nine. And not only that, but Public Enemy also, you know, stands for the black man being the lowest on the totem pole, you know what I'm saying? And that's last. To get the. To get the best of the best, you know what I'm saying? A whole night. We wasn't scared to speak about that. And not only that, but we never feared anybody, period, you know what I'm saying? I mean, whatever we did, it came from our heart, it came from our souls, you know what I'm saying? There was a time when we did a gig down in South Carolina, and we were the only group ever to hang a Ku Klux Klansman on stage. And there was a time when we did that show down in South Carolina, we hung that Ku Klux Klansman on stage. Yeah, the FOI had to come and walk us out.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Fruit of Islam.

[Flavor Flav]

Yeah, Fruit of Islam had to come and walk us out.

[Stephen A. Smith]

They had to come and walk you out. They had to come walk y'all out. Why? What was gonna happen to y'all?

[Flavor Flav]

Hey, hey, hey. The KKK's. Man was. They was. They was piling up.

[Stephen A. Smith]

They were waiting outside.

[Flavor Flav]

They was waiting and wasn't gonna let us out. That's right. They wasn't gonna let us out, but we got out.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You got out because of foi? Yeah.

[Flavor Flav]

Yeah. The FOI helped us get out. Yeah.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm trying to figure out.

[Flavor Flav]

But we never feared it, though.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You didn't fear the Ku Klux Klan waiting outside for you?

[Flavor Flav]

No, we never feared anyone, period. We don't fear nobody. The only. Only thing we may fear in this world is God.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Was that a conversation that y'all had amongst one another in terms of not having that fear, or was it innate and immediately understood, yo, you're a part of this. This is the kind of. This is the kind of metal that you got to.

[Flavor Flav]

It was already understood, you know what I'm saying? Stamped. Stamped. That's how. That's how we was, you know what I'm saying? And when we. And when we came, we let you know we was coming strong. Don't get in our way because.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So you announced it beforehand.

[Flavor Flav]

We'll run you over.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So you announced it beforehand. Everybody knew it was coming. It was very transparent.

[Flavor Flav]

They knew it was coming. That's right.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You brought up South Carolina. Any place else in this country that stands out in terms of locale where you performed, and you had to worry about never just South Carolina, just that.

[Flavor Flav]

Just that one incident right?

[Stephen A. Smith]

There, outside of that, every place else is cool.

[Flavor Flav]

Everything else was cooler than four blocks of ice cubes.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And why do you think that was, that it was cool everywhere else?

[Flavor Flav]

Because everybody was understanding what, you know, we were talking about. Not only that, but a lot of people were standing up for what we were talking about. You know what I'm saying? And right now, to this day, you know, when it comes down to understanding Public Enemy, you know what I'm saying, right now, we have a more predominantly white audience than a black audience.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And why do you think that is? How do you explain that?

[Flavor Flav]

Why? Because there's a lot of people that love, love learning about black history. And once they find out, you know, the truth about black history, then they get into it more and more and more and more. But, but, but is it something said.

[Stephen A. Smith]

About white people wanting more to know more about black history than black people?

[Flavor Flav]

I think black people should really want to know their history just as much as the white people want to know our history.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm just asking that question in terms of. To me, the fan base shouldn't be stronger amongst whites than black. It's Public Enemy. It shouldn't be more. More white people than black people supporting y'all.

[Flavor Flav]

But it is, though, even to this day. Even to this day. But we still have our black nation supporting us now, you know what I'm saying? It's just that white people decided to dig into us more, I guess. I don't know.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Let me transition. Let me transition to what's going on today. How are you feeling about the hip hop industry today?

[Flavor Flav]

Yo, man, the hip hop industry is what it is. I call it changing of the guards, Steve, you know what I'm saying? You know, I mean, music has changed a lot, you know what I'm saying? Since. Since we. Since we. Since we started. You feel what I'm saying? I mean, it's a different generation now. You know what I'm saying?

[Stephen A. Smith]

You okay with it or you do. Are you depressed by it?

[Flavor Flav]

Hey, I'm not depressed by anything, man. I'm. I'm adapting to it. Just like everybody else adapted to my music and to what we do. Hey, when. When the guards change, you gotta. You gotta adapt to that.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Do you care about the message or lack thereof or absence thereof? Like, for example, y'all spoke with a purpose. Every lyric you drop, it was a purpose to it. With Chuck D and the crew, right? Public Enemy, we talking about here. That's entirely different than somebody that really ain't got a message. That's just spewing. Some shit.

[Flavor Flav]

I just wish that a lot of rap, rap records today have more messages.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's what I'm talking about.

[Flavor Flav]

And conscience messages to it, you know what I'm saying? You know, today, I mean, we. We more about glorifying, you know, guns, drugs, gangs, you know what I'm saying? Women, you know what I'm saying? In the whole nine. Back in the day, it wasn't like that, you know what I'm saying? And not only that, but back in the days when you had a rap battle, rap battling was fun, right? You know what I'm saying? It's not fun today, you know? And why is it not fun today? I mean, I mean, put it this way, okay? Everybody loves a rap battle now, you know what I'm saying? Because look, battling, it makes you step. Your penmanship. Damn right, you know what I'm saying? In the whole night and back in the days when we did it, it was fun. It wasn't never about, I'm gonna kill you, well, oh my, I got a bullet with your name.

[Stephen A. Smith]

It was always about embarrassing.

[Flavor Flav]

Yeah, it was always.

[Stephen A. Smith]

It was always about embarrassing.

[Flavor Flav]

Yeah, yeah. It's always about sticking up for your neighborhood, making your neighborhood shine.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Right?

[Flavor Flav]

You know what I'm saying? I wish it was more of that. I wish, I wish you can go back to that.

[Stephen A. Smith]

How you feel about the whole Kendrick Lamar, Drake situation that unfolded.

[Flavor Flav]

Hey, I applaud both of them because I'm a big fan of both of them and I love them both equally, you know what I'm saying? And they both are trendsetters. They both are trendsetters, you know what I'm saying? In the whole nine. And I feel like their rap battle really brought some awareness to rap music today, you know, and the youngsters can understand what a rap battle is all about, you know, hey, these boys did they thing, man. Kendrick did his thing.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I know Kendrick did his thing. I'm not gonna say the same about Drake. I think Drake lost this one. Yeah, yeah, you think?

[Flavor Flav]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay. And here's my whole point, keeping it real.

[Flavor Flav]

I love and I love Drake.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Drake is a big time talent, the whole bit. I will say this, though. I'm gonna say this right in front of you. You correct me if I'm wrong. I got on Drake. I didn't get on Drake because he, you know, Kendrick got on with not like us. What I got on him about is, I know you was. It was the record companies you were suing, but what I was saying was in hip hop Nah, you go to the studio and you one up that cat with your own record, right? Or you bow down and concede he got you, right?

[Flavor Flav]

That's what you do in hip hop.

[Stephen A. Smith]

As opposed to going to lawyers and trying to sue record companies to make sure the record don't get played. That was my issue. You have a problem with that?

[Flavor Flav]

And that's why I wish that, you know, rap music can return back to what it used to be.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Fun, right?

[Flavor Flav]

Because going through. Going through lawyers, getting lawyers and all of this and doing it, it's not fun, you know what I'm saying? It's just another animal.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I want to get into a serious subject before I let you get on out of here, man. I appreciate your time, man. Thank you so much.

[Flavor Flav]

No doubt you and Chuck D recently.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Visited black families displaced by the Altadena. Altadena Eaton wildfires in California and started something called the Displaced Black Families Go Fund Me directory. Tell me about it.

[Flavor Flav]

Well, well, let's go fund me that, that we created, you know what I'm saying? We partnered up with the Black Music Action Coalition, you know what I'm saying? And this is, you know, to give back to a lot of black families that wasn't really being taken care of after the fires. You know, a lot of black families lost their stuff and they wasn't really getting it just due. So we created that GoFundMe to help them out.

[Stephen A. Smith]

What was it like for you to go out there and visit those folks and see not only what they were, what they were going through emotionally, but to see the wreckage, to see the actual damage that the wildfire.

[Flavor Flav]

It was real sad, man, to see what I saw, you know what I'm saying? And it reminded me of when Katrina hit New Orleans, you know what I'm saying? Because for miles and miles and miles, you have just deserted land, you know what I'm saying? Deserted land. Out there, you got deserted land. Everything is burnt down. Only thing that's standing out of the ground is chimneys. But. But everything else is. Is gone, man. You know, I felt bad for these people, man. You know what I'm saying? I wouldn't wish that on no one, you know what I'm saying? But that's why I'm wearing this LA Strong shirt. I'm standing strong for la. Why?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Why you got the Lakers there and not the Lakers and the Clippers?

[Flavor Flav]

Hey, hey, what is that?

[Stephen A. Smith]

I mean, they in LA too?

[Flavor Flav]

Hey, hey, hey. Can I tell you why?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Go ahead.

[Flavor Flav]

Oh, man, it's Magic Johnson's company.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Got it got it.

[Flavor Flav]

You know what I'm saying? Come on, Magic.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Magic ain't gonna have magic anywhere. Anywhere.

[Flavor Flav]

Anywhere.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yeah, anywhere. You gonna go to some basketball games in the near future. You gonna go out there to watch the Lakers play now that they got Luka Duncan?

[Flavor Flav]

I sure do. I mean, LeBron is my favorite basketball player.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Favorite.

[Flavor Flav]

He's my favorite.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You mean present of all time.

[Flavor Flav]

Right now.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay.

[Flavor Flav]

No, no, no. Just right now.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay.

[Flavor Flav]

Right now. My favorite of all time. Michael Jordan. You know that?

[Stephen A. Smith]

See?

[Flavor Flav]

Come on, man. Michael Jordan. We ain't even talking about. Michael Jordan brought it. We ain't even.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So who. Who's. Who's the goat?

[Flavor Flav]

Dr. Julius Irving.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Stop that. What? Stop that.

[Flavor Flav]

Are you kidding?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Flavor. Flavor.

[Flavor Flav]

Hey, yo, check this out. Check this out.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Stop it, man.

[Flavor Flav]

Check this out. Michael Jordan and a whole bunch of other people in basket got that man's style. That man brought the style to basketball. You know what I'm saying? So you.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You got, like, you.

[Flavor Flav]

Now, let me tell you something.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Hold on, hold on. There's plenty of originators. There's plenty of originators, but that don't mean they can't be one up. That doesn't mean they can't be taken to another level. Now, you watch Dr. J play. He wasn't Michael Jordan. He's phenomenal. Doctor. Made house calls. But there's only one Michael Jordan.

[Flavor Flav]

That's right. There's only one Michael Jordan, period. You know what I'm saying? And I ain't gonna lie. Yeah, he's the goat. He's the goat. He's the goat. But the reason why I called Dr. J the goat is because Michael Jordan got his style from Dr. J.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Fine. I'm just saying. I'm just saying. I'm just saying. I'm just saying the greatest is only.

[Flavor Flav]

Gonna get their style from the greatest.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Well, you know, you could be the originator, but that don't make you the go. Because there were things that Michael Jordan did that Dr. J couldn't do, as great as Dr. J was.

[Flavor Flav]

Right, Right, right. Hey, hey, let me tell you something. When Michael Jordan took that style, he developed it into his. Okay.

[Stephen A. Smith]

All right.

[Flavor Flav]

And he put a whole bunch more to it, and he added on. On to it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You feel what I'm saying? Okay, so just. Just understand that. I mean, you almost lost me right there. You almost lost me right there.

[Flavor Flav]

I ain't gonna lose you, man. You okay?

[Stephen A. Smith]

I mean, I can't even put Dr. J over LeBron.

[Flavor Flav]

Huh?

[Stephen A. Smith]

I can't put Dr. J over LeBron.

[Flavor Flav]

Nah. I can't either, because I got LeBron number two. This is a different day in a different time. But you got to remember The Kobe Bryant, LeBron James. All of them. All of them, man. Got that Dr. Julius Irving style.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Dr. J. Got it from Connie Hawkins, okay? And it was a David Thompson before, after Connie Hawkins. I mean, you understand that? Did we call Connie Hawkins the greatest?

[Flavor Flav]

Connie Hawkins was the man.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Vince Carter, the greatest in game dunker of all time.

[Flavor Flav]

Okay?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Do we call him to go? No, because we understand there's levels to this.

[Flavor Flav]

Yeah.

[Stephen A. Smith]

There's Michael Jordan and there's everybody else.

[Flavor Flav]

I ain't mad at you, you understand? I'm not mad at you on that.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I believe in you.

[Flavor Flav]

I'm not mad.

[Stephen A. Smith]

See, that's what I'm talking about. I had to reach. I couldn't let you walk out of here. Play to play. Think I like that?

[Flavor Flav]

Hey, yo, I'm gonna tell you something, man.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yeah.

[Flavor Flav]

You just don't know how proud of you that I am, you know what I'm saying? How? You just made your own lane, bro. You made your own lane, man. You came into this announcement game, man. You know what I'm saying? This personality that you got, bro. Listen, man, it takes over. It takes over, you know what I'm saying? And you built your own lane. Ain't no other sports announcer out there like Stephen A. Smith. None.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I appreciate it.

[Flavor Flav]

None. I love you, bro. I'm proud of you, bro.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Thank you so much, man. I appreciate it.

[Flavor Flav]

You know what I'm saying? Just like me, I created a lane for hype. Yeah. Yes.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And there's never been another. See, I ain't saying somebody came along and eclipsed playful flame, you understand? There's never been another. Never.

[Flavor Flav]

No doubt.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I don't care who it is. Even though they did tell me. Jay Z and them dmx, bro. That brother was sensitive, yo.

[Flavor Flav]

DMX was the man. Yes, he. Yo, he was very hype. That was my boy, man. I miss him.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Could you imagine seeing you and DMX together? Good Lord, have mercy. That would have been spectacular.

[Flavor Flav]

Yeah, no doubt.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Flavor Flav, ladies and gentlemen. The honor was all mine.

[Flavor Flav]

Stephen A. Smith, ladies and gentlemen. And the honor is all mine.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Thank you.

[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101 free agents. We'll have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday, keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 7th 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Julie Swerbinks]

What's up everyone? Julie swearbinks here, along with former NHL player Nate Thompson. We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go. The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb. Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right? Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us. Julius Prick Dwell Connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe. Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.