"Strange Love"= Flavploitation?

posted March 28, 2005 12:00:00 AM CST | 0 comments

The VH1 hit series Strange Love starring Brigitte Nielsen and Public Enemys Flavor Flav has become a household favorite that documents Flavor Flav attempt to entice an engaged Brigitte Nielsen. Although it has become a top rated show, some people arent very enthralled with the approach of the show. One of those men just so happens to be partner-in-rhyme, Chuck D.

Chuck D has issued a statement (which can be found in full at Allhiphop.com) regarding Flavs actions on the show, which includes Flav lashing out towards his group and family members over a number of situations. In the statement Chuck addressed what can be considered Flavploitation.

We'd like to offer an apology for some of the actions that many considered offensive to Black people, and especially Black women and children, by our brother Flavor Flav as portrayed on the VH1 television show "Strange Love... Like I said, Flav is our brother but we cannot begin to agree with what the rest of us consider inappropriate behavior and unfair actions towards his family and to himself. Chuck says What is offensive is that his character and private issues are being trashed in front of millions for mere sake of profit and ratings. To showcase the troubling conflict between his kids and ex was uncalled for and we can't stand by it.

He continues to question how harmful this show is to Flavs career It is this Flavploitation by the "Strange Love" executive producers Mark Cronin and Cris Abrego, production companies Mindless Entertainment and 51 Minds, VH1 and yes, even Flav and his manager.

In the end, Chuck says that it is ultimately Flavs decision...

Public Enemy is not a fraternity, nor a political or religious organization, and thus everyone has their own individual personal agendas. But together we make music and are dedicated to spreading the good word around the planet, he said. I would be lying if I said that the side of Flav shown on Strange Love doesn't affect what I've wanted our collective to stand for, because it does and many have told us how deeply they are bothered by this.

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