| Fonzworth Bentley Biography |
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Derek Watkins (born February 12, 1974) is a hip hop artist, entertainer, and fashion designer, best known for being a personal assistant to Sean "Diddy" Combs and the host of the MTV reality show From G's to Gents.
Personal lifeWatkins attended North Atlanta High School and is a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. After graduating from Morehouse he took a job at a local Polo store in Atlanta where his customers included his childhood friend Andre 3000 of Outkast and future employer Sean "Diddy" Combs. When offered a job at The Polo Mansion, Watkins relocated to New York City, where he encountered Combs. After leaving Polo, Watkins became an apprentice for designer Alan Flusser. Later he was maître d' at a New York restaurant. Watkins later reconsidered his position as maître d’ and sought a career in entertainment. He was later hired as Combs' "personal assistant". Watkins worked for Combs for two years, who gave him a spot in Making the Band 2. He participated in Philander Smith College's Bless the Mic Chopped and Screwed version. MusicBentley, who was given the name "Fonzworth J. Bentley" by Tony DeNiro 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 2005, he had a part on the remix of Kanye West's "The New Workout Plan". He is currently signed to West's GOOD Music label. Bentley has appeared in several music videos, such as Usher's "Yeah", P. Diddy's "D.I.D.D.Y." and "I Need A Girl (Part Two)", Slum Village's "Selfish", OutKast's "The Way You Move" and "Roses", as well as UGK and Outkast's "International Player's Anthem". He made a brief appearance in the music video for "Grammy Family", by West, DJ Khaled, John Legend and Consequence. In August 2006, Bentley was featured in Sprite's Sublymonal campaign. He was also featured, playing the violin, in the "Yes We Can" music video in support of Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. Film and televisionBentley was an executive producer for Borrow My Crew in 2005, in which Bentley allowed one boy, Cory Cole from New Jersey, to borrow the entourage of P. Diddy for two days. In 2008, he hosted the MTV series From G's to Gents. Public serviceIn 2007, Bentley contributed to KnowHow2GO, a national public service advertising campaign designed to encourage low-income and first-generation students to take the steps necessary to go to college. Bentley's involvement in KnowHow2GO 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.[1] KnowHow2GO is a joint effort between The Ad Council, Lumina Foundation for Education and the American Council on Education. Works
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