Flavor Flav says the ballroom nearly got a dose of Public Enemy energy.
The longtime hype man and reality television fixture said he was recently approached about joining “Dancing with the Stars,” the long-running ABC competition series.
“I was definitely asked about it,” Flavor Flav said in a recent interview. “Somebody reached out and said they thought I’d be fun for the show.”
The 65-year-old artist, known for his oversized clocks and booming ad-libs, said the conversation surprised him at first.
“I didn’t see that one coming,” he said. “When you hear dancing, you don’t automatically think of me.”
Still, Flavor Flav said the offer made him reflect on how far his career has traveled since his early days in hip-hop.
“I’ve done music, I’ve done reality TV, I’ve done acting,” he said. “At this point, nothing really shocks me anymore.”
From Hip-Hop Stages to Prime-Time TV
Flavor Flav rose to fame in the late 1980s as a founding member of Public Enemy, one of hip-hop’s most influential groups.
While Chuck D delivered politically charged lyrics, Flavor Flav brought humor and chaos to the stage.
“That was always my role,” he said. “I was there to balance the message and keep things moving.”
In the 2000s, Flavor Flav became a breakout reality television star with shows that leaned heavily into his unpredictable persona.
He said those years helped introduce him to a new generation of fans.
“People who didn’t know Public Enemy started knowing Flavor Flav,” he said. “That opened a lot of doors.”
Those doors, he said, now include unexpected calls from mainstream television producers.
“They’re looking for personality,” he said. “They want somebody who brings energy, not just technique.”
Despite the interest, Flavor Flav said he has not committed to the dance competition.
“I haven’t signed anything,” he said. “It was more of a conversation than a contract.”
He admitted dancing on live television would be a challenge.
“I’m not trained like that,” he said. “I move how I feel, not how I’m taught.”
Still, he did not rule it out entirely.
“If the timing is right and the vibe is right, who knows,” he said. “I’m always down to try something new.”
Flavor Flav said his focus remains on music, personal appearances and staying healthy.
“I’m in a good place right now,” he said. “I’m enjoying life and taking things one step at a time.”
As for the ballroom, he said fans should not give up hope.
“Never say never,” Flavor Flav said with a laugh. “That clock might still be ticking.”