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​Public Enemy Drop Founding Member Flavor Flav Following Bernie Sanders Letter

​Public Enemy Drop Founding Member Flavor Flav Following Bernie Sanders Letter

The news follows a letter sent by Flavor Flav's lawyer accusing Bernie Sanders’ campaign of using Flav’s trademarked image at a rally

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Hip hop group Public Enemy have dropped founding member Flavor Flav (William Jonathan Drayton Jr.), following a cease-and-desist letter the rapper sent to Bernie Sanders.

The group confirmed in a statement that they would be 'moving forward' without their hype man, who has been with the outfit for 35 years - ever since its inception in 1985.

"Public Enemy and Public Enemy Radio will be moving forward without Flavor Flav," the statement said, according to Rolling Stone.

"We thank him for his years of service and wish him well."

The news follows a letter sent by Flavor Flav's lawyer Matthew Friedman accusing Bernie Sanders' campaign of using Flav's likeness and trademarked oversized clock at a rally, even though the star had 'not endorsed any political candidate' in this election cycle.

Flavor Flav.
PA

Flav's former Public Enemy bandmate Chuck D had planned to perform at Sanders' rally on Sunday, but the letter claimed that this appearance did not reflect the group as a whole.

"While Chuck is certainly free to express his political view as he sees fit - his voice alone does not speak for Public Enemy," the letter - obtained by Fox News - said.

"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."

Flavor Flav and Chuck D.
PA

It added: "Sanders had promised to 'Fight the Power' with hip-hop icons Public Enemy, but this Rap Icon will not be performing at the Sanders rally."

A listing for the event on Bernie Sanders' website stated that the rally would feature a performance from Public Enemy Radio, a Chuck D-led offshoot featuring DJ Lord, Jahi and the S1W.

BernieSanders.com

It said: "Join Bernie Sanders, Sarah Silverman and Dick Van Dyke, with a special performance by Public Enemy Radio.

"Doors open at 3.00pm and the event starts at 5.00pm. Capacity is limited and admission is granted on a first-come, first-served basis."

Chuck D, whose real name is Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, has since shared several tweets about the fall-out, in one referring to the Bernie Sanders incident as the 'last straw'.

He also claimed Flavor Flav had refused to support Sankofa, a social justice organisation founded by Harry Belafonte that teams up with influential artists to 'elevate the voices of the disenfranchised and promote justice, peace, and equality'.

Chuck D said on Twitter: "I built @EnemyRadioRS so it does benefits & fundraisers ... He [Flavor Flav] said he never gonna do them. So his refusal to do @HarryBelafonte #ManyRiversFestival in Atlanta 2016 was my last time.

"I built Enemy Radio to get far away from that ridiculousness."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Entertainment, Music