Flavor Flav: the icon, the memoir

by Flavor Flav

From his twenty-five years as a member of one of the most influential hip hop groups of all time, to his career as a television personality, the word that best describes Flavor Flav is 'iconic.' Clock-wearing, colorful and sometimes controversial, William Drayton—known affectionately all around the world as simply 'Flav'—finally tells all.

In this compelling memoir, Flavor Flav takes the reader in vivid detail behind the scenes of his multi-faceted career. He spares no one, revealing the tensions within Public Enemy and with Def Jam records, his struggles with addiction, his multiple visits to both rehab and to jail before re-inventing himself in reality television as VH1's most eligible—and most watched—bachelor. Taking readers on a journey into the truth behind his bigger-than-life image, Flavor Flav's presents his unique perspective on music and reality TV how he survived the pressures of both to become one of the most-sampled and recognized figures in media.

Told with the gritty, compassionate and often-hilarious style that has made the man a legend, this memoir is a thrill ride from the heights of celebrity to the depths of despair and back again to tell the tale.

Genres: Nonfiction

228 pages, Hardcover

Published May 11, 2011

Reviews

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5

Oh lord, I do not even know where to begin. First and foremost, it should be known I love my man Flavor Flav! And when I found out that this book was written exactly the way he talks, I was so excited to read it. And quite frankly, that's why I liked it! I love the fact it was written in "Flav language." That fact that it wasn't written well made it really seem like you were just sitting down with Flav, talking to him about his life. I really liked that aspect of the book. But I also loved all the Flavisms! Seriously, this book would have sucked without them!

However, there were sometimes where I raised my eyebrow and questioned his honesty. Some of the stuff he said he did I wonder if he actually did it or did it in a drug induced hallucination he just thinks was real...because seriously, some of it is THAT unbelievable.

But beyond that, it was everything a fan of Flav's could ask for! If you don't like Flavor Flav, I wouldn't suggest this book to you. It won't appeal to you at all.

Way to go Flav! I hope in the future, we'll get another crazy book from you! YEEEEEAAAHHH BOOOOYEEEE!

[olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

we are connected now more than ever , flavor flav , thank you. hysterical read- i could hear him telling the stories by the way he wrote this book. Beautiful, captivating and a little gut wrenching. I loved getting to know such a familiar name but not so familiar face, and understanding why he was so loved. Crazy ride.

[Ron Maskell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book offers some insight into Flav's life but it's poorly written and short. It's written in stream of consciousness style with tons of tangents. It's pretty much like an oral history as told by Flav.

[Ben Ronis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book walks the reader through the iconic, Flavor Flav's life. It is an autobiography by Mr. Flavor Flav so his insights are interesting to say the least.

PROS: This book is a great, quick and easy, funny book. This humor is demonstrated as Mr. Flav describes anything from childhood stories to day to day activities. There was very little editing done to this book; this allows the reader to truly live life through the eyes of Flavor Flav. This little to no editing adds to the humor aspect because in many parts throughout the book, one can find "Yeeaa Boiii!!" written out exactly as it appears here. This book is a fun, hilarious read.

CONS: There was little to no editing done to this book. It's a tell all about very serious events that transpired in Flav's life including his addiction to cocaine, but these heavy events are covered with, "I'd punch myself in the face," and the "Yeeaa Boiii!!". It would most likely have been better if there was an author helping Mr. Flav write, or an editor could have helped, too.

RECCOMEND?: If you're looking for a laugh in book form, this is the perfect book for you. Go on Amazon and overnight it because it is exactly what you are looking for. If you are looking for more of serious Hollywood tell all, this is NOT the right book for you.

YEEAA BOIII!!

[Dirk · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is the story of Flav's life, as told by Flav.

This story is remarkable in that it seems to be a reality-book. Is this a new genre? It seems that no heavy-handed editing took place, perhaps very little editing at all. This is reality reading.

The book suffers because Flav refuses to go into any subject in depth. And though I liked him before I read the first page, I grew to dislike him over the course of the book. His writing showed a level of self-absorption and an attitude towards his children and partner (wife?) that I found it hard to accept.

If you read this book, it won't take long, and it won't be hard. Nonetheless, there are better ways to spend half an hour of your time.

[Rebecca Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and in fact finished it in two sittings. I'm a fan from way back. It was easy to read and he writes the way he speaks so while I was reading I was able to picture him telling his story. I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Flavor, Public Enemy or simply interested in reading about a truly fascinating person.

[Leenda dela Luna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started strong. Finished a little weak. I really enjoyed it - but probably because I met Flavor Flav when I bought the book.

[Justin W. Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's my full review: http://pdxkaraokeguy.hubpages.com/_3g...

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is funny!!! He writes like he talks.

[Chelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can tell he wrote this book.. lol I loved hearing about his life and his time doing flavor of love. Great book.