Fans divided over Flavor Flav’s controversial national anthem performance at NBA game: ‘This can’t be genuine’
Rapper Flavor Flav received mixed reactions from NBA fans after his performance of the national anthem at the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks game.
Wearing a green Bucks jersey, white sweatshirt, and a white hat with sunglasses, Flav performed at Fiserv Forum.
The crowd showed support for Flav, cheering and clapping as he attempted challenging tone shifts and higher octaves.
The viral video of Flav’s performance led to both praise and mockery on social media.
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NBA fans were divided on Flavor Flav’s national anthem rendition on October 29, 2023. ((Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images/Twitter/Screenshot)
“The bucks aren’t serious about winning tonight,” Jimmy Hexdrix tweeted, alongside several popcorn and laughing emojis.
One user described the video of Flav’s singing as the best 2 minutes and 20 seconds of their life.
“He killed that,” the user added.
“At least he knew the words,” Hiit Fitness chimed in.
User Digital Artisan suggested Flav should have consulted with T-Pain before the performance, accompanied by a GIF of someone mixing a song.
“There’s no way this is real,” user MarianannaXO added.
Rapper 50 Cent also commented on Flav’s performance, writing on Instagram “[eyes emoji] WTF [facepalm emoji] I think this means we are going to war, this is a sign f–k it get the strap! #bransoncognac #lecheminduroi.”
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Ja Rule and Flavor Flav perform onstage during City of Hope’s 2023 Music, Film & Entertainment Industry Spirit of Life® Gala honoring Lyor Cohen, Global Head of Music at YouTube and Google at Pacific Design Center on October 18, 2023, in West Hollywood, California. ((Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for City of Hope))
Several social media accounts suggested that while Flav’s rendition was not exceptional, it was better than expected.
“Not the worst I have ever heard…and a lot better than I thought it was going to be,” jrod79xx wrote.
“He did 1000% better than the entire planet expected him to,” xjdizzzle tweeted.
Kbshowbiz said they couldn’t decide if Flav’s attempt was the greatest thing they had ever seen or “the final death nail to America.”
Many fans compared Flav’s singing to infamous national anthem performances from previous years.
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Flavor Flav of Public Enemy performs onstage during the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 23, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. ((Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images))
“Not exactly Marvin Gaye at the 1983 All-Star Game,” Shane Sparks said.
Others stated that despite the hiccups, Flav’s performance was still better than Fergie’s at the 2018 NBA All-Star game, which drew viral responses.
Fergie’s singing caused noticeable laughter among Draymond Green, Steph Curry, Jimmy Kimmel, Chance the Rapper, and Lebron James.
Charles Barkley even requested a cigarette after hearing Fergie.
Fergie later responded to the backlash, saying, “I’ve always been honored and proud to perform the national anthem and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA. I’m a risk-taker artistically, but clearly, this rendition didn’t strike the intended tone. I love this country and honestly tried my best,” following the game.
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Nikolas Lanum is an associate editor for Fox News Digital.
