Fonzworth Bentley

Award-winning Producer and Author

As the impeccable pop icon Bentley, visual/musical artist and author, Derek Watkins is bridging the worlds of high-fashion and hip-hop with his sartorial class and dedication to fantastic urban grooves. Bentley caught the world's attention several years ago as the flawlessly dressed personal assistant to Sean P Diddy Combs. With his recently released book, “Advance Your Swagger: How to Use Manners, Confidence and Style to Get Ahead,” published by Random House, and his eagerly-awaited debut album, CoolOutrageousLoversofUniquelyRawStyle (C.O.L.O.U.R.S.), Bentley has unleashed his many talents in an unprecedented and uncompromising way.Derek/Bentley’s journey has been full of improbable twists and turns.

"Music has been in Derek's blood since birth," says his mother, Harriette Watkins. His uncle, a band director, played him Beethoven's 5th Symphony at 18 months and by the time Derek was 2-1/2 years old, he was learning to play violin via the Suzuki method.

After high school, Derek entered Morehouse College. During his junior year he won an on-campus comedy competition, was befriended by Bill Cosby's daughter, and found himself being mentored on the fine points of entertainment by Cosby himself. The entertainment bug was firmly planted in his blood.

One day, Bentley knew it was time to move from his safe and secure job as maitre d’ and return to his dream of being an entertainer, so he reached out to Diddy and asked for a job.

After working for Diddy for almost two years, Bentley took another leap of faith. In 2002, he opened his Bible, prayed, resigned from his assistant job and headed for Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Bentley landed a role in the films "Honey" and “Fat Albert.” He has also appeared in several music videos with OutKast, Usher, and Kanya West.

Bentley was recognized by GQ magazine as the First Gentleman of Hip Hop; and Random House reached out to him to write a book. His book, “Advance Your Swagger: How to Use Manners, Confidence and Style to Get Ahead,” is designed to bring his generation back to the grace and dignity of their ancestors.

"I think that Derek not only has an incredible opportunity, but a responsibility," says his father.  "It's time to show you can be smart, you can dress appropriately, you can be articulate and be hip.” Fred and Harriette Watkins set the example and Derek/Bentley walks confidently in that path.