Fonzworth Bentley

Derek Watkins (born February 13, 1974),[2] known professionally as Fonzworth Bentley, is an American rapper, actor, television presenter, 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 was the host of MTV's From G's to Gents. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia.[3]

Fonzworth Bentley
Bentley in December 2010
Bentley in December 2010
Background information
Birth nameDerek Watkins
Also known asFarnsworth Bentley
Born (1974-02-13) February 13, 1974[1]
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • record producer
  • songwriter
  • actor
  • television presenter
  • fashion designer
Years active2002–present
Labels

Career

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 made a cameo in the music video of Kanye West's "The New Workout Plan".[4] Bentley is credited as a songwriter on multiple Yeezus tracks including “On Sight,” “Black Skinhead,” “I Am a God,” and “Hold My Liquor.”[4] He is also credited as a producer on West's “Ultralight Beam.”[5]

His debut album, C.O.L.O.U.R.S., was released via iTunes on April 26, 2011.[6]

He was also featured, playing the violin in the "Yes We Can" music video in support of Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.[7]

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. In 2008, he hosted the MTV reality series From G's to Gents, which ran for two seasons.

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 afterparties following the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C.[8]

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.[9] Bentley sang as a member of the chorus for "We Are The World", a remake of the original for Haiti, in February 2010.[10]

Works
Bentley in March 2005

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

References
  1. "Fonzworth Bentley Biography". IMDb. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  2. Khan, Nida (October 22, 2007). "Derrick Watkins is all about the etiquette". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 18, 2009.
  3. "Fonzworth Bentley Biography". IMDb. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  4. "Fonzworth Bentley, Unsung Hero". The FADER. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  5. "The True Story Of Kanye West's "Ultralight Beam," As Told By Fonzworth Bentley". The FADER. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  6. Sharee Hereford (February 2, 2018). "What Ever Happened to Fonzworth Bentley, the World's Most Famous Umbrella Holder?". The Boombox.
  7. "Fonzworth Bentley Bio" (Press release). Black Entertainment Television. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  8. "MTV host enters NW gate". Politico. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  9. Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  10. Kaufman, Gil. "WE ARE THE WORLD' REMAKE BRINGS LIL WAYNE, KANYE WEST, PINK, USHER, MORE TOGETHER FOR HAITI". MTV. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
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