As the Super Bowl brings hip hop legends into the spotlight, Flavor Flav has weighed in with a list that cuts through the noise. Speaking around the Super Bowl buzz, the Public Enemy icon shared his personal Mount Rushmore of rappers. Once again, Eminem sits firmly at the top.
As usual, Flav did not hesitate to give an answer. His Top 5 came out clean and direct:
“No.1 is Eminem. No.2 Rakim. No.3 KRS-One. No.4, my partner Chuck D., and No.5 LL Cool J”
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Flavor Flav checks in at the #SuperBowl and lists his Mt. Rushmore of Rappers 🏔️ pic.twitter.com/q5QXwBU4cQ
— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) February 6, 2026
A Familiar Answer, Delivered With Intent
This ranking did not surprise longtime listeners. Over the years, Flavor Flav has been consistent when asked about his favourites. Each time the question comes up, Eminem lands in first place.
Earlier, during a conversation with DJ Whoo Kid on Shade45, Flav made that point even clearer. “Eminem is my favourite rapper”, he said. “And not only that, he still shouts Flavor Flav out in his records”.
That loyalty matters to Flav. Respect, especially from younger generations, remains central to how he sees the culture.
Talent Before Labels
Meanwhile, the discussion turned sharper when race entered the picture. In that same conversation, DJ Whoo Kid mentioned how Eminem’s status is often questioned through that lens. Flavor Flav had little patience for it.
“I don’t care how they’re trying to colour my man”, Flav said. “It don’t stop him from being No.1. Being No.1 don’t have no colour”.
Clearly, for Flav, skill stands alone. He went further, calling Eminem “the best rapper alive right now” and stressing that being unbeatable is what defines greatness.
Where the Respect Began
That stance is rooted in personal history. Moreover, Flavor Flav recalled their first meeting, back when Eminem was still coming up alongside Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.
“When he saw me, he went absolutely crazy”, Flav said. “I didn’t know who he was at that time. I gave him mad love”.
DJ Whoo Kid jumped in, noting that Eminem reacts the same way around Redman, Nas, or LL Cool J. That response comes from fandom, not ego.
Legends Recognising Legends
For Flavor Flav, the relationship runs both ways. Eminem learned from hip hop’s architects. At the same time, his work now inspires them in return.
“Those guys were mentors to Em”, Flav said. “But then Em is like a mentor to them too”.
In a Super Bowl moment filled with spectacle, Flav’s list feels grounded. No matter the hype or timing, Flav doesn’t change his story or his list, which puts first respect earned and maintained.
