Public Enemy say they didn't part ways with Flavor Flav over political views

Public Enemy released a statement to Pitchfork yesterday (2 March) revealing that the group were parting ways with Flavor Flav, a founding member who has spent 37 years in the group.

The news landed after the group performed at a Bernie Sanders rally in LA on Sunday (1 March).

Last night (2 March), Public Enemy released a new statement on Facebook, revealing that they "did not part ways with Flavor Flav over his political views."

According to the statement, Flavor Flav "has been on suspension since 2016 when he was MIA from the Harry Belafonte benefit in Atlanta, Georgia." They add that Flavor Flav "missed numerous live gigs from Glastonbury to Canada, album recording sessions and photo shoots. He always chose to party over work."

The statement adds, "While Public Enemy Radio was moving forward, Flavor Flav was starring on the reality show "Growing up Hip-Hop New York,” where an episode featured his children discussing an intervention and putting him into rehab. It’s time to move on and everyone wishes Flavor well."

Yesterday (2 March), Flavor Flav responded to Chuck D's tweets, writing, "Chuck D are you kidding me right now???,,,over Bernie Sanders??? You wanna destroy something we've built over 35 years OVER POLITICS???,,,all because I don't wanna endorse a candidate,,,I'm very disappointed in you and your decisions right now Chuck."

Flavor Flav added, "I didn't sue you on Friday,,,i asked the Bernie Sanders campaign to correct misleading marketing,,,that's all it was,,,I'm not your employee,,,i'm your partner,,,you can't fire me,,,there is no Public Enemy without Flavor Flav,,,so let's get it right Chuck,,"

And .@MrChuckD,,,i didn't sue you on Friday,,,i asked the @berniesanders campaign to correct misleading marketing,,,that's all it was,,,I'm not your employee,,,i'm your partner,,,you can't fire me,,,there is no Public Enemy without Flavor Flav,,,so let's get it right Chuck,,,

— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) March 2, 2020

In his final reply to Chuck D, Flavor Flav wrote, "Also Chuck D, i'm not on drugs like you're saying and have been clean for 10 years,,,i have battled addiction before and like millions of other Americans I know the massive toll it takes,,,Chuck you know better than to lie about shit like that."

Also .@MrChuckD,,,i'm not on drugs like you're saying and have been clean for 10 years,,,i have battled addiction before and like millions of other Americans I know the massive toll it takes,,,Chuck you know better than to lie about shit like that,,,,

— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) March 2, 2020