Happy Birthday Spike Lee

“It comes down to this: black people were stripped of our identities when we were brought here, and it's been a quest since then to define who we are” - Spike Lee

(Spike Lee)

Spike Lee was born as Shelton Lee on March 20th, 1957 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. As a child his family moved to Brooklyn, NY. He then got the nickname “Spike” as a child.

(Lee in high school)

Lee attended Morehouse college in Atlanta, GA. He graduated with a BA from Morehouse in Mass Communication. In 1985 Lee began on his 1st feature film She’s Gotta Have It. The film released in 1986 and earned $7 million at the US box office.

(Lee in She’s Gotta Have It (1986))

In 1989 Lee’s film Do the Right Thing (1989) was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

(Lee in Do the Right Thing(1989))

In 1990 Lee’s film Mo’ Better Blues was accused of antisemitism by the Anti-Defamation League and several film critics. Lee denied the charges, Lee said that he would not release an anti semitic film because Jews run Hollywood. In 1991 Lee taught a course at Harvard about filmmaking. In 1993 Lee began to teach at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. In the mid 90’s Lee produced TV commercials for Levi’s jeans. Also Spike Lee joined with Michael Jordan to promote Air Jordan sneakers.

(Michael Jordan (Left) and Lee (Right))

In 1997 Lee’s film 4 Little Girls was nominated for the Best Feature Documentary Academy Award. In 2007 Spike Lee was honored with the San Francisco Film Society's Directing Award. In 2008 he received the Wexner Prize. In 2012 after the shooting of Trayvon Martin, Spike Lee was one of many people who used Twitter to circulate a message which claimed to give the home address of the shooter George Zimmerman.

(Lee in 2012)

In 2013 Lee won The Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize. In 2015 Lee received an Academy Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his contributions to film. Lee is the director, writer, and producer of the MyCareer story mode in the video game NBA 2K16.

(Lee in 2015)

Today is his 60th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday Spike Lee.

Spike Lee’s filmography

• Joe’s Bed Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads (1983)
• She’s Gotta Have It (1986)
• School Daze (1988)
• Do the Right Thing (1989)
• Mo’ Better Blues (1990)
• Jungle Fever (1991)
• Malcolm X (1992)
• Crooklyn (1994)
• Clockers (1995)
• Lumiere and Company (1995)
• Girl 6 (1996)
• Get on the Bus (1996)
• 4 Little Girls (1997)
• He Got Game (1998)
• Freak (1998)
• Pavarotti and Friends for the Children of Liberia (1998)
• Summer of Sam (1999)
• Pavarotti and Friends for the Guatemala and Kosovo (1999)
• The Original Kings of Comedy (2000)
• Bamboozled (2000)
• A Huey P. Newton Story (2001)
• The Concert for New York City (2001)
• 25th Hour (2002)
• Jim Brown: All American (2002)
• Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet (2002)
• She Hate Me (2004)
• Sucker Free City (2004)
• Inside Man (2006)
• When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (2006)
• Miracle at St. Anna (2008)
• Passing Strange (2008)
• Kobe Doin’ Work (2009)
• If God is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise (2010)
• Red Hook Summer (2012)
• Bad 25 (2012)
• Oldboy (2013)
• Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth (2013)
• Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (2014)
• Katt Williams: Priceless: Afterlife (2014)
• Jerrod Carmichael: Love at the Store (2014)
• Chi-Raq (2015)
• Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall (2016)

Videos of Spike Lee

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muc7xqdHudI  “DO THE RIGHT THING - Trailer - HQ”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd9oTGr_1DA  “She'S Gotta Have It - Trailer”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLT3Qu76-bw  “School Daze TRAILER”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx4sEvhYeVE  “Malcolm X (1992) Official Trailer - Denzel Washington Movie HD”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njLUPZr4DeU  “He got Game Trailer”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMZ6zp-3oGY  “Spike Lee's Bamboozled Trailer”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGTuuj-aTJs  “Chi-Raq Official Trailer #1 (2015) - Wesley Snipes, Teyonah Parris Movie HD”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNpI-VIlONw  “Spike Lee Interview: "Do The Right Thing" 25 Years Later”

Happy Birthday Flavor Flav

“If anyone wants to know what the definition of 'dope' means, it's: 'Definition of Public Enemy'” - Flavor Flav

(Flavor Flav)

Flavor Flav was born as William Drayton Jr. on March 16th, 1959 in Roosevelt, New York, USA. At 5 years old Drayton learned to teach himself piano. He sang in the youth choir at his church and mastered the piano, drums, and guitar at an early age. Drayton is proficient in 15 instruments. By the time Drayton was in the 11th grade he had been in and out of jail for robbery and burglary. In 1978 Drayton graduated from culinary school and cooked in several restaurants. While attending Adelphi University he met Charles Ridenhour (Chuck D). While in college Drayton took on the name Flavor Flav. Flavor Flav and Chuck D began rapping together on Chuck D’s radio show.

(Flavor Flav (Left) and Chuck D (Right))

Flavor Flav then became a part of Chuck D’s rap group, Public Enemy. In 1984, the group released a track, "Public Enemy #1". In 1986 the group was signed to Def Jam Records. Flavor Flav served as the hype man of the group. The group gained much wider fame with their 1988 album, “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back”, which went double platinum. By 1989 the group became hip hop superstars.

(Public Enemy)

Flavor Flav’s attire of big hats and glasses and a normal sized clock dangling from his neck got fans excited and brought some comedy to the group. In 1990 Flavor Flav released his first solo single “911 Is A Joke”.

(Flavor Flav in 1990)

In 1991 Flavor Flav went to jail for 30 days for beating his girlfriend. In 1993 Flavor Flav went to jail for 90 days for shooting at his neighbor. Also in 1993 he was charged with domestic violence, cocaine and marijuana charges. Flavor Flav was then checked into a rehab center. In 1997 Flavor Flav re entered rehab after his father’s death. In 2002 Flavor Flav spent nine weeks in Rikers Island jail for driving with a suspended license, numerous parking tickets, and tardiness for probation appointments.

(Flavor Flav in 2002)

In 2003 Flavor Flav moved to Los Angeles, CA. In 2006 Flavor Flav released his 1st solo album, “Hollywood”. Also in 2006 Flavor Flav’ reality show Flavor of Love aired.

(Flavor Flav in 2006)

In 2007 The Comedy Central roast of Flavor Flav aired, which featured  Snoop Dogg, Brigitte Nielsen, Jimmy Kimmel, Carrot Top, Lisa Lampanelli, Ice-T, Jeff Ross, Katt Williams, Patton Oswalt, Greg Giraldo, and Sommore. Flavor of Love was cancelled in 2008. In 2011, Flav partnered with Nick Cimino to open Flav's Fried Chicken in Clinton, IA. The restaurant closed 4 months after opening. Also in 2011 Flavor Flav was arrested on four outstanding misdemeanor warrants for various driving offenses. Flavor Flav’s House of Flavor in Las Vegas,NV opened in March of 2012.

(Flavor Flav in 2012)

Flavor Flav opened a franchise known as Flavor Flav's Chicken & Ribs, which opened December 21st, 2012 in Sterling Heights, MI. Also in 2012 Flavor Flav was jailed in Las Vegas on felony charges. Flavor Flav’s restaurant then closed in 2013 due to payment issues. In 2013 Flavor Flav along with the rest of Public Enemy was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

(Public Enemy being inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)

In 2015 Flavor Flav was arrested on charges including speeding and driving under the influence.

(Flavor Flav in 2015)

Today is his 58th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday Flavor Flav.

Albums by Flavor Flav

• “Hollywood” (2006)

Videos of Flavor Flav

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPNK0VspQ0M  “Public Enemy - 911 is a Joke (1990)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3iBlll7mfY  “Public Enemy Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2013 legendado”  
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eBGuTwP7dM  “The Eric Andre Show - Flavor Flav Interview (S04E08)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBlMrGgpwXE  “Public Enemy - Can't Do Nuttin' For Ya Man”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfGPQIDxA1A  “Flavor Flav longest "Yeah boy" ever!”

Happy Birthday Spike Lee

“It comes down to this: black people were stripped of our identities when we were brought here, and it's been a quest since then to define who we are” - Spike Lee

(Spike Lee)

Spike Lee was born as Shelton Lee on March 20th, 1957 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. As a child his family moved to Brooklyn, NY. He then got the nickname “Spike” as a child.

(Spike Lee)

Lee attended Morehouse college in Atlanta, GA. He graduated with a BA from Morehouse in Mass Communication. In 1985 Lee began on his 1st feature film She’s Gotta Have It. The film released in 1986 and earned $7 million at the US box office.

(Lee in his movie She’s Gotta Have It (1986))

In 1989 Lee’s film Do the Right Thing (1989) was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

(Lee in his movie Do the Right Thing (1989))

In 1990 Lee’s film Mo’ Better Blues was accused of antisemitism by the Anti-Defamation League and several film critics. Lee denied the charges, Lee said that he would not release an anti semitic film because Jews run Hollywood. In 1991 Lee taught a course at Harvard about filmmaking. In 1993 Lee began to teach at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. In the mid 90’s Lee produced TV commercials for Levi’s jeans. Also Spike Lee joined with Michael Jordan to promote Air Jordan sneakers.

(Michael Jordan (Left) and Spike Lee (Right))

In 1997 Lee’s film 4 Little Girls was nominated for the Best Feature Documentary Academy Award. In 2007 Spike Lee was honored with the San Francisco Film Society's Directing Award. In 2008 he received the Wexner Prize. In 2012 after the shooting of Trayvon Martin, Spike Lee was one of many people who used Twitter to circulate a message which claimed to give the home address of the shooter George Zimmerman.

(Lee in 2012)

In 2013 Lee won The Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize. In 2015 Lee received an Academy Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his contributions to film. Lee is the director, writer, and producer of the MyCareer story mode in the video game NBA 2K16.

(Lee at a NY Knicks basketball game)

Today is his 59th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday Spike Lee.

Spike Lee’s filmography

• Joe’s Bed Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads (1983)
• She’s Gotta Have It (1986)
• School Daze (1988)
• Do the Right Thing (1989)
• Mo’ Better Blues (1990)
• Jungle Fever (1991)
• Malcolm X (1992)
• Crooklyn (1994)
• Clockers (1995)
• Lumiere and Company (1995)
• Girl 6 (1996)
• Get on the Bus (1996)
• 4 Little Girls (1997)
• He Got Game (1998)
• Freak (1998)
• Pavarotti and Friends for the Children of Liberia (1998)
• Summer of Sam (1999)
• Pavarotti and Friends for the Guatemala and Kosovo (1999)
• The Original Kings of Comedy (2000)
• Bamboozled (2000)
• A Huey P. Newton Story (2001)
• The Concert for New York City (2001)
• 25th Hour (2002)
• Jim Brown: All American (2002)
• Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet (2002)
• She Hate Me (2004)
• Sucker Free City (2004)
• Inside Man (2006)
• When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (2006)
• Miracle at St. Anna (2008)
• Passing Strange (2008)
• Kobe Doin’ Work (2009)
• If God is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise (2010)
• Red Hook Summer (2012)
• Bad 25 (2012)
• Oldboy (2013)
• Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth (2013)
• Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (2014)
• Katt Williams: Priceless: Afterlife (2014)
• Jerrod Carmichael: Love at the Store (2014)
• Chi-Raq (2015)
• Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall (2016)

Videos of Spike Lee

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muc7xqdHudI  “DO THE RIGHT THING - Trailer - HQ”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd9oTGr_1DA  “She'S Gotta Have It - Trailer”