Flavor Flav Champions Women’s Sports, And Explains Why It Hits Home

Flavor Flav is officially trading beats for chicken fingers.

The hip-hop legend and pop culture icon just launched his brand-new nationwide campaign with Raising Cane’s on April 23, and he’s bringing his signature energy, clock necklaces, and flavor-packed hype to every single bite.

That’s right, according to Flav, “it’s Cane’s O’ Clock!” And honestly, who’s gonna argue?

The campaign rollout is pure Flavor Flav: loud, bold, full of heart, and yes, full of flavor.

“I’m a people person. People made me what I am today, and they put me in this position to rock with that, and I’ll never change,” Flav said during a press conference in which The Blast was in attendance. “I love my people just like I love my Cane’s and I’m grateful for this opportunity.”

And if you’ve ever seen the man talk about food, you know he’s serious about it. “Cane’s is full of flavor. They’ve got a unique taste and when you bite into the Chicken Fingers, your taste buds explode,” he added.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Flavor Flav campaign without some serious bling.

His iconic bedazzled clock necklaces are front and center, and fans can now snag their own exclusive version. Cane’s fanatics can purchase a limited-edition Raising Cane’s x Flavor Flav clock necklace at RaisingCanesGear.com. Designed and hand-bedazzled by celebrity jeweler Kelly Salvagio of Rock N Stonez, the custom clocks are dripping in Cane’s energy, and net proceeds benefit the Women’s Sports Foundation. (Quantity is limited, so if you are interested, act fast!)

That mission hits close to home for Flav, who’s not just a hype man, he’s a girl dad with four daughters and a huge advocate for female athletes.

“When it comes down to women's sports… I try to bring that notoriety,” he said. “So that way you’ll remember their sport after they play. I mean, hey, women are just as important as us, as the men. And it took both of us to make society, so speak to them.”

And yes, the man really is walking the walk. “I am a sponsor of the United States Olympic water polo team. Men and women. All nine,” he proudly stated. “Raising Cane’s gives the Olympians wings. It gives them wings in the water. It gives them wings on the balance beam.”

Flav also opened up about what this moment means to him personally, and why he’s using this platform to give back.

“Well, the only thing I can say about that is I try to project the right image… not only for Raising Cane’s but also for our communities too, from the communities where I come from," he said. "A lot of people in my communities don't get this type of opportunity… and I'm so grateful.”

He continued, “As long as you're grateful, God will give you more things to be grateful for.”

In May 2024, Olympic water polo captain Maggie Steffens took to Instagram to shed light on the financial hardships many athletes face, revealing that several of her teammates work multiple jobs just to fund their Olympic dreams. Flavor Flav’s manager happened upon the post and passed it along to him. Deeply moved by the team’s grit and determination, Flav knew he had to get involved.

By July, Flavor Flav had inked a five-year sponsorship deal with USA Water Polo, stepping in as the official hype man for both the women’s and men’s national teams. His commitment goes far beyond a title, he’s provided crucial financial backing and become an enthusiastic ambassador for the sport.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Flav brought his signature energy to the pool deck, cheering from the sidelines and even jumping in during training.

His involvement has shone a much-needed spotlight on water polo, a sport that rarely grabs headlines.

More importantly, Flav’s advocacy has amplified the conversation around women’s sports, inspiring others to rally behind female athletes and champion the importance of support, visibility, and equity in athletics.