Funkmaster Flex revs up show with car makeovers
The recording star has 10 cars himself.
By TERRY MORROW
SCRIPPS HOWARD
When Funkmaster Flex isn't in the studio recording, he can be found lingering around some very expensive hoods.
That's not "'hoods" as in residential areas. We're talking actual car hoods.
"Ride with Funkmaster Flex" (returning with new episodes at 8 tonight on Spike TV) has the recording star giving makeovers to celebrities' automobiles.
"Today, I'm working on Lil' Kim's car," he said in a recent phone interview. "I'm doing a '71 Chevelle for her. I'm finishing a '65 Impala for 50 Cent, and working on Ludacris' '71 Cutlass."
Restorations
He will do "complete restorations" on the singing stars' rides. Sometimes that means enhancing the bodywork or, in other instances, simply giving it a fresh paint job and adding small details to the outside.
Flex, who has 10 cars himself, says you can tell a lot about a celebrity by the car.
For instance, Lil' Kim's Chevelle tells him that she's "soft but strong." It's a bright pink but purrs like a kitten.
Queen Latifah brought her '70s Oldsmobile to Flex in hopes he can turn it into a "hot rod." He painted the car white and gave it a gray interior.
"We made it real sexy for her," he said.
Flex got into car restoration by accident. Six years ago, he started working on his own automobiles. Word spread of his work, and celebrity acquaintances asked if he'd work on their rides.
More than a hobby
Now, "I'm really into it," he said. "It's a hobby that has become a job. Working on cars is like working in clay. I can mold it.
"It's like coloring. I can fill in the picture and make it into something people want to step back and look at. That is what makes this fun for me and for the people I am [restoring] for."