Fonzworth Bentley
| Fonzworth Bentley | |
|---|---|
 Bentley in December 2010 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Derek Watkins |
| Also known as | Fonzworth Bentley, Farnsworth Bentley |
| Born |
February 13, 1974[1] Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Origin | Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, record producer, actor, television host, fashion designer, singer |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | E1 Music |
| Associated acts | Sean Combs, Outkast, will.i.am, Andre 3000, Kanye West |
Derek Watkins (born February 13, 1974),[2] better known as Fonzworth Bentley or Farnsworth Bentley, is a musician and author. He is perhaps best known for being Sean Combs' former personal valet and assistant, as first seen in Making the Band 2, and is currently the host of MTV's From G's to Gents. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia.[3]
Music
He first appeared rapping on Da Band's 2002 album Too Hot for TV, in the track "Cheers to Me, Mr. Bentley (Interlude)". In 2003, Bentley was featured on the "Good Day, Good Sir" skit on OutKast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. In 2004, he had a role in the music video of Kanye West's "The New Workout Plan".
His debut album, C.O.L.O.U.R.S., was released via iTunes on April 26, 2011.
He was also featured, playing the violin in the "Yes We Can" music video in support of Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.
Other media work
Bentley was an executive producer for Borrow My Crew in 2005, in which he allowed one boy, Cory Cole, to borrow the entourage of P. Diddy for two days. Since 2008, he has been hosting the MTV series From G's to Gents.
In 2007, Bentley authored an etiquette book, Advance Your Swagger: How to Use Manners, Confidence and Style to Get Ahead.[2]
In May 2009, Bentley hosted one of the after parties following the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C.[4]
Public service
In 2007, Bentley contributed to KnowHow2GO. Bentley's involvement in the campaign has included creation of a radio public service advertisement ("Wanna Go?") and participation in the 2007 YMCA Black and Hispanic Achievers Teen Leadership Summit in Orlando, Florida.[5] Recently, Bentley sang as a member of the chorus for "We Are The World", a remake of the original for Haiti, in February 2010.
Works
Television
- From G's to Gents (2008–09)
- Top Ten Gentlemen's Club (2008)
- Confessions of a Celebrity Assistant (2006, the E! Channel)
- VH1 Fashion Rocks (2006)
- All Shades of Fine: 25 Hottest Women of the Past 25 Years (2005)
- P. Diddy Presents the Bad Boys of Comedy (2005)
- Caleta Condor, Chile (2005)
- Before, During and After the Sunset (2005)
- Borrow My Crew (2005)
- Fade to Black (2004)
- Making the Band 2 (2002–2003, series)
Films
- Honey (2003) - Barber
- Fat Albert (2004) - Salesman
- Idlewild (2006) - Voice of Flask
- We Were Once A Fairytale - cameo appearance
References
- ↑ "Fonzworth Bentley Biography". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
- 1 2 Khan, Nida (2007-10-22). "Derrick Watkins is all about the etiquette". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
- ↑ "Fonzworth Bentley Biography". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
- ↑ "MTV host enters NW gate | POLITICO 44". Politico.com. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
- ↑ Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.