Flavor Flav was the Public Enemy member famous for wearing a large clock around his neck and serving as the group’s hype man.
Born William Jonathan Drayton Jr., Flavor Flav co-founded Public Enemy with Chuck D in 1985. While Chuck D delivered the group’s forceful political messages, Flav provided animated ad-libs, comic energy, and crowd interaction. That contrast became central to Public Enemy’s sound and stage identity.
His oversized clock necklace became his trademark. Flav has explained that the clock symbolized the importance of time, while its exaggerated size matched his flamboyant public persona. He also became known for large hats, sunglasses, and energetic performances.
Public Enemy’s major albums included Yo! Bum Rush the Show in 1987 and It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back in 1988. A common mix-up is confusing Flavor Flav with Professor Griff, who was another prominent Public Enemy member, or Terminator X, the group’s influential DJ.