Flavor Flav Sues Chuck D Public Enemy Camp Over Profits
William J. Drayton
âThis action involves the usurpation of money and property rights from  Plaintiff William J. Drayton   known as âFlavor Flav.â  Drayton  is recognized as one of the two key members of groundbreaking Hip Hop group Public Enemy. Public Enemy have been inducted into the Rock ânâ Roll Hall of Fame and have sold tens of millions of records â the suit states. âDespite  Drayton âs position in Public Enemy  the groupâs management and related companies have for years attempted to minimize his role in the Public Enemy business  while continuing to rely upon  Drayton âs fame and persona to market the brand."
In the lawsuit   Flavor Flav (real name William J. Drayton)  claims that  he  and Chuck D (real name Carlton Ridenhour) had a long-established agreement that profits from their music  merchandise and concerts would be split between them. Despite that alleged arrangement   Flavor Flav  claims that Public Enemy's business management firm Eastlink has not been sending the earnings he is owed  which have "diminished to almost nothing  and  Drayton  has been refused accountings  even on the items bearing his likeness " according to the lawsuit.
The suit also alleges that  Flavor Flav's  voice and image were used without his consent on Public Enemy's recent LP  Nothing is Quick in the Desert  which they released as a free download in June. The suit claims  Flavor Flav  requested $75 000 to record the album  of which he only received $7 500.
Beyond claiming Flavor Flav is owed the aforementioned royalties and fees  the suit also alleges that several merchandise deals  including one brokered by producer Gary G-Wiz to make action figures of the members  were made without  Flavor Flav's  consent or any compensation. Gary G-Wiz is also named in the lawsuit  as TMZ notes.
âThis action involves the usurpation of money and property rights from  [TGT]  as âFlavor Flav.â   [TGT]   is recognized as one of the two key members of groundbreaking Hip Hop group Public Enemy. Public Enemy have been inducted into the Rock ânâ Roll Hall of Fame and have sold tens of millions of records â the suit states. âDespite   [TGT]  âs position in Public Enemy  the groupâs management and related companies have for years attempted to minimize his role in the Public Enemy business  while continuing to rely upon   [TGT]  âs fame and persona to market the brand."
In the lawsuit   Flavor Flav (real name William J. Drayton)  claims that  he  and Chuck D (real name Carlton Ridenhour) had a long-established agreement that profits from their music  merchandise and concerts would be split between them. Despite that alleged arrangement   Flavor Flav  claims that Public Enemy's business management firm Eastlink has not been sending the earnings he is owed  which have "diminished to almost nothing  and   [TGT]   has been refused accountings  even on the items bearing  [TGT]  likeness " according to the lawsuit.
The suit also alleges that  Flavor Flav's  voice and image were used without his consent on Public Enemy's recent LP  Nothing is Quick in the Desert  which they released as a free download in June. The suit claims  Flavor Flav  requested $75 000 to record the album  of which he only received $7 500.
Beyond claiming Flavor Flav is owed the aforementioned royalties and fees  the suit also alleges that several merchandise deals  including one brokered by producer Gary G-Wiz to make action figures of the members  were made without  Flavor Flav's  consent or any compensation. Gary G-Wiz is also named in the lawsuit  as TMZ notes.