Flavor Flav Says Iconic Clock Necklace Was Inspired By A “Crackhead”

Flavor Flav recently revisited the origins of his clock necklace, which has become an iconic symbol associated with his personal brand.

During a recent interview on Roxanne Shante’s SiriusXM show, Flav recounted the tale of how an individual struggling with addiction in his local community became the source of inspiration for his necklace.

“So one day, as a joke, as a joke, you know, this crackhead came through my projects, you know what I’m saying? Selling these shower clocks that she stole from a place called Fortunoff,” the Public Enemy rapper began. “Well, she went to Fortunoff, stole this big bag, big box of shower clocks came through our projects selling them. So my boy, Son of Berserk, you know what I’m saying? He took the stopwatch off my neck and put the clock around my neck and everybody was laughing. It was a big joke and all of that.”

He continued,  “So they dared me to wear that clock on stage, but during the show. So when we went to open up for the Beastie Boys in Passaic, New Jersey, 1986, I wore the clock, Roxanne, and then the next day on the front page of Newsday, New York Times, New York Post, the look of the clock was dope.”

Ever since Public Enemy was formed in the mid-1980s, Flav has consistently adorned himself with a variety of clocks featuring different shapes, colors, and sizes to complement his outfits. His dedication to this unique accessory is so remarkable that one of his worn clocks has even found a place of honor in the National Museum of African American History & Culture.