Rapper Flavor Flav faces domestic violence charges in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS — A former Public Enemy rapper known as Flavor Flav was arrested early Wednesday on several felony charges in connection with a domestic argument with his fiancee in which the rapper threatened the woman’s teenage son with a knife.
Entertainer William Jonathan Drayton Jr., 53, a rapper and reality TV star, was being held on $23,000 bail at the Clark County Jail, according to a release by the Las Vegas Police Department. He was taken into custody by officers responding to a domestic disturbance at a home in a residential neighborhood several miles southwest of the Las Vegas Strip.
He has been charged with domestic battery and assualt with a deadly weapon and is scheduled to make a court appearance Thursday.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Drayton had argued with his fiancee and her 17-year-old son at a residence he co-owns with the woman. He threatened the teen after the youth tried to restrain him. The rapper suffered a small cut on his hand; no one else was injured.
Drayton, a native of Freeport, N.Y., became famous with Public Enemy frontman Chuck D and was known for yelling “Yeah, boy!” and “Flavor Flav!” during performances. His public persona also included wearing a skyscraper afro and a large clock on his chest.
The Review-Journal reported that Drayton was also arrested July 4 for possession of fireworks and disturbing the peace. He has also been cited recently for several traffic incidents and for possession of less than an ounce of a controlled substance.
In March, Drayton opened Flavor Flav House of Flavor restaurant in Las Vegas.
“My secret (shhhh) fried chicken recipe -- that’s the star. But we have a red velvet waffle too, and everyone goes ‘Ohhhh’ when they hear that. Go on, you can say it,” Drayton told reporters at the opening. “My parents owned a soul food diner. It inspired me to go to culinary school.” Did he get a degree? “I sure did. 1978. Albertson, N.Y.
The restaurant’s theme? “Things showcasing my career, a lot of pictures up of me and my celebrity friends. I’ll wait until we expand to put all my clocks on the wall.”
But the Review-Journal gave the soul food takeout restaurant a “C” grade, critcizing its fried chicken for “lack of flavor.”
ALSO:
Jessica Ridgeway memorial draws thousands
4.0 earthquake centered in Maine rattles New England
George Zimmerman trial date set -- but will it really happen?
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
