Musician and reality TV star Fonzworth Bentley has become the latest artist to join E1 Music, the label formerly known as KOCH Records and its ever-growing roster of Hip-Hop stars.
The From Gs to Gents star announced that he has partnered with E1 Music for the release of his long-awaited debut album CoolOutrageousLoversOfUniquelyRawStyle (C.O.L.O.U.R.S).
While the album does not have a scheduled release date yet, E1 and Bentley have confirmed that Kanye West has signed on the as the Executive Producer of his G.O.O.D. Music protégé.
Along with the announcement, Bentley revealed the second single, “Greener,“ which follows the release of his popular single “Everybody,” which featured Kanye and Bentley’s longtime friend Andre 3000.
“Greener” features crooner Anthony Hamilton helping Bentley deliver an important message over production by Chris Scholar.
“Being Greener is a lifestyle,” the “first gentleman of Hip-Hop” explained. “A better diet, taking care of our environment, and maintaining healthy relationships. I believe that living a greener lifestyle is important, yet challenging. The song ‘Greener’ is about leaving the past and looking to the future…whether it is a relationship, a career change or any type of upgrade in your life. ‘Greener’ ultimately speaks to broadening our horizons and celebrating new possibilities. It is my hope that after listening and seeing the visual for ‘Greener,’ people will be inspired to join the movement.”
The new song is simply a continuation of Bentley’s effort to usher in the new “Cool,” which he defines as having faith in God, the importance of education, self respect and treating others as you want to be treated.
If these concepts sound familiar, it is because they are the foundation of his popular MTV series From Gs to Gents.
The rapper and author maintains a very close relationship with the former From Gs to Gents contestants, he told AllHipHop.com in a previous interview.
And he continues to participate in activities that will allow him to reach an even wider audience.
On Saturday (June 13), Bentley spoke to approximately 500 teens from the New York Tri-State area as the featured guest of Hip-Hop 4 Life’s second annual YouthFest.
During the event’s Rap Session, Bentley joined activist and author Kevin Powell, producer Kwame, KISS FM personalities Raaqiyah Mays and Talent, Sinorice Moss and BET hosts Samson and Alesha Renee to create a fun, interactive empowerment setting for the youngsters.
“It was inspiring to see the amount of youth there to hear from the those of us who volunteered our time,” Bentley told AllHipHop.com of the experience.
“But it was also inspiring to see just how many did volunteer their time on a Saturday. They could [have been] doing anything else and instead decided to motivate and empower the youth. I feel like some real seeds were planted, some they might not even realize yet. But with programs like Hip Hop 4 Life’s YouthFest, they will continue to grow.”