INTERVIEW: Flavor Flav Opens Restaurant, Talks New Vodka Line and Public Enemy LP

Bobby Flay, Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali… Flavor Flav? No, that isn’t a list of the world’s greatest emcees – but rather celebrity chefs with restaurants in Las Vegas. The hip-hop icon-turned-reality TV star threw his name on the list last week when Flavor Flav’s House of Flavor opened up a few miles from The Strip. The take-out spot’s specialty is the rapper’s personal recipe for fried chicken.

“I came up with this from experimenting in the kitchen for many years,” Flav told me at the grand opening ceremony last week. “My family owned a soul food restaurant, and then when I became a certified cook, I was the head cook at the Nassau County Courthouse.”

That’s correct: Flavor Flav isn’t simply another celebrity attempting to cash in solely with his name. The Long Island native actually has a culinary degree, meaning his move from music to food isn’t a stretch, and is more of a return to his roots.

The alcohol brand? Well, perhaps that is another story. Le Flav Spirits makes its debut this year on an alcohol-stocked shelf near you with vodka.

“Next month I’m coming out with grape and bubble gum [flavors],” Flav revealed as he showed off the bottle. “Also I’m coming out with a Le Flav cognac and Chateau Le Flav, that’s the bubbly.”

Sober Sally’s need not worry, as the hip-hop artist will also be releasing a non-alcoholic champagne in the line. As for Flav’s music fans – have no fear. He’s not just spending time with fried food and booze, but also laying down tracks with his old friend and collaborator.

“Me and Chuck D, we’re recording a Public Enemy album right now as we speak,” he said. “And also I’m coming out with another solo album.”

Flav predicts a single from the LP will be released in July. Somewhere between all of the distilling, dishing, and vocal cutting, he may even find a moment to take a break.

“Right now, these people are so important,” he said. “In order to get it done man, you gotta be awake to do it.”

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