Flavor Flav was the guest of honor at one of the best institutions in the world, where he talked to students, volunteered at a homeless shelter, and even donated one of his remarkable clock necklaces to Harvard University.
The 64-year-old music legend – whose real name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr. is – visited Ivy League University to help students learn about the roots of hip-hop culture.
He also kindly donated one of his remarkable clocks to the Hip Hop Archive Research Institute, whose mission is to “facilitate and encourage the pursuit of knowledge, art, culture and responsible leadership through hip hop,” said the website.
Harvard professors Henry Louis Gates and Tommie Shelby were on hand to receive the timepiece on behalf of the organization.
Flav wasn’t the only performer there, as fellow rapper Lupe Fiasco was also in attendance, as he previously taught at Harvard and currently works at MIT.
Legend: Flavor Flav was the guest of honor at one of the best institutions in the world, where he talked to students, volunteered at a homeless shelter, and even donated one of his striking bell necklaces to Harvard University
The Public Enemy continued to show his caring side when he volunteered at the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter.
As if that wasn’t enough, the artist imparted his language arts expertise to the students through a read reading of Emily Dickinson’s 1896 poem A Clock Stopped and how it connected over time in the rapper’s lyrics.
Earlier this year, the rapper revealed that at the height of his addiction, he spent $2,600 a day on drugs for six years in a candid conversation with Off The Record by DJ Akademiks Spotify podcast.
The musician, who celebrated six years of sobriety in October, said he kept the extent of his addiction under wraps and “maintained himself well” – as he spent up to $1 million a year on drugs.
The star said, “I handled myself really well while I was on that s**t, you feel me?” I kept it hidden.’
“There was a time when I spent $2400-$2600 a day for six years, do the math. And that was how much I spent on drugs.
“I sold a lot, but I was my best customer, I had a lot of money, but I just did the wrong things with my money.”
He added: “Before, when we made drug files, we talked about selling drugs.
Signature piece: The 64-year-old music legend donated one of his remarkable clocks to the Hip Hop Archive Research Institute, whose mission is to “facilitate and encourage the pursuit of knowledge, art, culture and responsible leadership through hip-hop” , the website said
For the culture: Flav wasn’t the only artist there, as fellow rapper Lupe Fiasco was also in attendance, as he previously taught at Harvard and currently works at MIT
Sweet gesture: The Public Enemy continued to show his caring side when he volunteered at the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter; as he is seen posing with fellow volunteers
“Talking about who can make the most money off drugs, who doesn’t care about selling drugs. It was a competition thing for all the scammers.
Reflecting on his recovery, the star said, “God wanted me to live because he knew I was a mouthpiece to the world so I can teach people about the mistakes I’ve made.”
The star has had a troubled past with drug abuse.
In 2015, he was charged with driving under the influence of cocaine after being arrested on a Las Vegas freeway.
The hip-hop legend was also charged by Clark County prosecutors with speeding and having an open container of alcohol.
Emotional: Earlier this year, the rapper revealed he spent $2,600 a day on drugs for six years at the height of his addiction in a candid conversation with DJ Akademiks’ Spotify podcast Off The Record
Tough time: The musician, 63, who celebrated six years of sobriety in October, said he hid the extent of his addiction and “maintained himself well” — as he spent up to $1 million a year on drugs (2015 photo after he was charged with driving under the influence of cocaine)
Now sober: “There was a time when I spent $2400-$2600 a day for six years, do the math. And that was how much I spent on drugs’
Drayton was charged with domestic violence along with cocaine and marijuana charges in 1993 and later entered the Betty Ford Center for treatment for a crack cocaine addiction.
He also entered rehab in 1997 at the Long Island Center For Recovery.
Drayton returned to the public eye in 2004 when he joined the cast of the VH-1 reality show The Surreal Life.
His relationship with Brigitte Nielsen on The Surreal Life led to more reality shows on VH-1, including Strange Love and the Flavor Of Love series.
Public Enemy was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2013.
Candid: The star reflected on his recovery and said, “God wanted me to live because he knew I was a mouthpiece for the world so I can teach people about the mistakes I made (2019 photo)