Hi levin,
Thank you for your interesting question. I enjoyed doing the research! :)
The name of the rap ditty is called "Be Yourself." Unfortunately,
there is no copy available at this time. Perhaps in the future you'll
be able to download or buy a copy of it, because the commercial is
extremely popular!
Tommy Hilfiger ads show budding stars July 14, 2004
http://www.suntimes.com/output/lazare/cst-fin-lew14.html
BY LEWIS LAZARE SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST Advertisement
In the B-roll tape that accompanied a reel of four new 30-second
commercials for the Tommy Jeans line by Tommy Hilfiger, we watched the
designer himself wax nostalgic about how this new round of spots takes
him back to his pioneering roots in fashion by using music talent to
sell clothing. As Hilfiger reminds us in his little speech, he is the
one who used Britney in a commercial before Britney was Britney. Now
isn't that sweet?
Hilfiger, of course, has had his ups and downs in the fashion biz in
recent years, but he now seems to want to be certain he's hooked into
what's hottest and hippest in the arena of up-and-coming musical
stars. Record producer and "image-maker" Andre Harrell approached
Hilfiger about using some of his artists who are on the verge of
becoming stars in a series of music-video style commercials, and the
fashion designer was quick to buy into the idea.
The result is the "New Soul of America" series of four spots created
by Hilfiger and Harrell in collaboration with the NuAmerica agency
that break this week on the MTV channel, which is exactly where they
belong.
Directed by well-known music video director Jake Nava, the quartet of
commercials starring Christina Milian, Fefe Dobson, Robin Thicke and
Farnsworth Bentley are slick, expertly edited bits of music video,
though intros by both Hilfiger himself and Harrell put more into the
mix than there needs to be in a mere 30 seconds.
And because these are essentially music videos reduced to just 30
seconds, the spots, of necessity, must come to an abrupt halt, giving
them an annoyingly unfinished feel.
Still, our favorite of the lot features Bentley doing a rap ditty
called "Be Yourself." Any rap artist from whose lips trippingly fall
the word "matriculation" will get our attention, for sure, but we also
liked the way Bentley's costume nattily mixed Tommy Jeans with a
pinstriped vest and, another unexpected touch, a bow tie. Snappy
indeed.
=================================================
Farnsworth and Tommy Team Up
http://www.davault.net/411/2004/07/idx.htm?13_FARNSWORTH_and_TOMMY_Team_up.php&1
=================================================
Farnsworth Bentley
http://www.rudderless.org/2003/11/farnsworth_bent.html
brilliant, multi-talented young man whose real name is Derek Watkins,
a graduate of Morehouse College/Biology.
*****
Mr. Bentley is 29 years old. He is single, but is seriously dating a
beautiful young actress who is staring in her own new movie. Both she
and Mr. Bentley (Derek) are strong Christians.
*****
I hear that Mr. Bentley's brother, Dion (25) is now attending the most
prestigeous Cinema and Film schools in the world. He is studying to
become a movie director. Keep watch out for the Watkins Brothers. They
both are hot!!!
*****
Before Making the Band II, I never really knew who Farnsworth Bentley
was. I saw him from time to time dancing, and just thought he was a
"fool", in a good way. Any man that dances like that,definitly is
confident in himself. Also, check him out in the the magazine KING
Jan/Feb2004 issue.
*****
Perhaps I am prejudiced because Derek/Fonzworth is my second cousin,
but let me set the record straight.
In addition to being extremely talented, he is a God-fearing,
Christian young man. He graduated from Morehouse with a degree in
Biology. His mother and father are corporate executives, and his
younger brother recently began studies at USC's film school (he too is
a Morehouse Man, as is their father. You might consider us a
"Morehouse Family", as I too am a Morehouse grad and my son is a
junior at Morehouse). By the way, their mother is a Spelman grad.
D is indeed taking Dr. Mays' advice and "making a way". He's no
"flunky". He is focused, determined,tenacious and brilliant! Expect to
hear big things from the brotha in the future.
=================================================
Best regards,
tlspiegel |
Clarification of Answer by
tlspiegel-ga
on
07 Aug 2004 10:56 PDT
Hi levin,
I neglected to add this when I posted my answer.
Bentley Working On Album, Offers Tips To Succeed By Octavia Bostick
and Nolan Strong
http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=3313
Date: 7/8/2004 10:00 am
As self-proclaimed leader of "The Gentleman?s Movement," Fonzworth
Bentley is hoping the success of his character will translate into
album sales when his untitled debut is released.
Bentley, who recently changed his professional name from "Farnsworth"
to "Fonzworth" for legal reasons, is recording the untitled album with
Kanye West and others.
"Kanye West called me and said he wanted to produce my album and I
wasn?t even thinking about anything like that," Bentley told
AllHipHop.com. "I?ve been doing some recording getting comfortable
with the microphone."
As a former "manservant" for P. Diddy, he took the opportunity to
learn the intricacies of the entertainment world first hand. Despite
appearing on MTV's "Making of the Band" and making guest appearances
in several high profile videos, Bentley said he didn't know the job of
being a rapper could be so trying.
"What these MC?s do is real serious," Bentley explained. "Trying to
keep your breath and all that, it?s difficult; it?s real serious what
they do. Thank God for Pro-Tools when I?m in the booth. I did a
one-taker the other day, and I did it four more times, but I?m getting
a lot better."
The album will feature Bentley rapping and singing and will serve as a
means to showcase a talent most never knew he possessed.
"I?ve been playing the violin for about 8 years so you?re definitely
gonna get a lot of that flavor," he revealed. "I love classical music,
but I'm just having fun with it."
Joking and rhyming to the side, Bentley said that some of Diddy?s good
habits rubbed off on him when he worked for the mogul.
In addition to appearing in a new Tommy Hilfiger jeans commerical,
Bentley will launch his own line of umbrella's, is hosting an MTV
reality pilot and will act as "Arbiter of Good Taste" this fall on the
"Most Exclusive Courvoisier VSOP Gentleman's Tour."
Here are Diddy?s five keys to success as told to AllHipHop.com by Bentley himself.
1. Work harder than everybody else.
2. Write as much down as you can. You can?t expect anyone to follow up
like your gonna follow up when it?s your vision.
3. Definitely have faith in God. That was something that was real
special for both of us, because I made it a point when I started to
say "I?m going to church on Sunday" and that?s that. I put my foot
down on that and next thing I know he [Diddy] started going with me,
so that was good.
4. I would have to say sign all your own checks. All these artists
with accountants and all these other people who do what they?re
supposed to be doing, Oprah got more money than all these people and
she signs every check.
5. Learn how to tie a tie, I?m just throwing that in there. Be a real
man. A real man knows how to tie a tie and drive a stick. And that?s
all I?m saying about that.
Best regards,
tlspiegel
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