Whether you’ve followed him on “Making The Band” as Diddy’s butler, the host of MTV’s “G’s to Gents” or as one of Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music MC’s, it’s safe to say that you are familiar with Hip-Hop’s number one gentleman, Fonzworth Bentley. Mr. Bentley has finally released a project for his followers, the long awaited “C.O.L.O.U.R.S.” mixtape, a collection of original compositions and freestyles all exhibiting the lyrical versatility that the well-mannered MC has perfected over the years .
   
The tape opens up with a cigar bar music like instrumental, “CLRSS” immediately followed by the whimsically hard hitting “Runaway”. R&B crooner Bush, harmonizes and ad libs over mid-tempo piano laced production while Bentley, paints a beautiful story about the treatment of women in a short 8 bar verse. Next up we have the club ready banger “Jam” featuring Sammy Melody, that fuses themes of happy hour, Atlanta pride and and feel good music and is guaranteed to get any party started. In comes the drums with the joyfully luxurious yet comical , “Take It Back” featuring You, in which the gentleman boasts about being fresh to death essentially, but only for a temporary while as the hook lets us know he’ll be returning it all the next day; “don’t look at me like I only use credit, ma’am I came to pay cash” because “sometimes its just like that”.
   
Going into the next track, “They Say…We Go”, expect a confident Bentley to go in over a futuristically synthesized beat. Some more storytelling ensues with the Faith Evans assisted “Believe It’  an inspiring tune, and the gentleman love story, “Don’t Speak” featuring The Crow, in which you can catch him tooting his own word stating , “Mr. Clean ain’t got nothing on me”.  Fonzworth also taps deep into his hip hop roots on the track “Pies” featuring Cool Breeze a song reminiscent of a Doug E. Fresh or Slick Rick swagger. “Fire Side Chat”, featuring DJ Mike Dangerous is true Bentley, going back to his debut flow and on his “Black Ice Freestyle”, he pays homage to the great Organized Noize production team as he delivers his own message over the Goodie Mob hit.
   
“Venice Beaches” is the first single off of the project, a lax and nostalgic cut about girls, fun, old memories and of course Venice beaches. Which bring us to our title track,”C.O.L.O.U.R.S.”, short for “Cool Outrageous Of Uniquely Raw Style”, featuring UGK and Lil’ Wayne. The track was originally on Kanye West’s “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” mixtape, but reappears on Bentley’s project with an extra verse from Bun B, and is deliciously Dirty South.
   
Keeping the project rolling, we get into “Greener”  which features neo-soul singer, Anthony Hamilton, a track about how his new lover compares to the last. Getting a little grittier, we have “Bunkin” featuring Dungeon Family’s Slimm Calhoun and Backbone, in which all 3 rappers introduce us to a new term, the only way Southern folks can. “CLRS8″‘s record scratches and piano leads us straight into one of Mr. Bentley’s most popular songs, the soulful and exciting, “Everybody” featuring Andre 3000 and Kanye West. Finally the conclusion ensues, a hip hop and personal commentary and venting session, “Stat Quo”. The perfect end to a well orchestrated and constructed project.
   
In case you haven’t noticed, I am recommending this mixtape to all of you. Hip-Hop is at a crossroads and with the release of “C.O.L.O.U.R.S.”, I believe that Fonzworth Bentley is helping to pioneer a change in its directions. Dope production, clever story lines, limited vulgarity and a gentleman’s aura all come together for a delightful listen and a classic body of work!

Can’t get enough of:
“They Say…We Go”
“Runaway”
“C.O.L.O.U.R.S.” feat. UGK and Bun B
“Jam” feat. Sammy Melody
“Everybody” feat. Andre 3000 and Kanye West
“Black Ice Freestyle”
“Venice Beaches”
“Take It Back” feat. You
“Don’t Speak”

DOWNLOAD: Fonzworth Bentley – “C.O.L.O.U.R.S.”

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BONUS: Check out the video for “Venice Beaches”!