Flavor Flav Fired From Public Enemy
Flavor Flav issued a cease-and-desist letter against the Bernie Sanders campaign on Saturday, following news that Chuck D would perform under the ‘Public Enemy’ name at a rally for Sanders on Sunday.
“While Chuck is certainly free to express his political view 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.”
Chuck D responded on Sunday, firing Flavor Flav from the group.
“Public Enemy and Public Enemy Radio will be moving forward without Flavor Flav. We thank him for his years of service and wish him well.”
Chuck D’s lawyer explained that he has complete control of the group’s trademark.
“From a legal standpoint, Chuck could perform as Public Enemy if he ever wanted to; he is the sole owner of the Public Enemy trademark. He originally drew the logo himself in the mid-80s, is also the creative visionary and the group’s primary songwriter, having written Flavor’s most memorable lines.”