Not too long ago, my roommate had a celebrity encounter at the movie theater. Whilst in line, she and another fellow friend, racked their brains to determine which star waited in front of them and slowly it came to them…it was Fonzworth Bentley sans the signature umbrella and accompanying spiffy fit. Knowing his resume boasted hip-hop artist, author, entertainer, fashion designer, and former personal assistant to Sean “Diddy” Combs, they wondered if he was up to anything at the moment… As of last week, it was clear the man was employed and they could now add TV host to his resume.

Last week, MTV premiered their new show From G’s To Gents. With Jamie Foxx as executive producer and Chris Abrego, known for hit shows such as I Love New York and Flavor of Love, working behind-the-scenes as well, it was really of no surprise that the first episode landed itself in the #1 spot for its time slot. The premise of the show can be likened to VH1’s Charm School, but instead of “ladies” the show subjects 14 young G’s (standing for gangstah’s just in case you didn’t know) to a series of tasks on style, etiquette, chivalry, business and more.

Bentley has been known for his impeccable style and demeanor and it’s no wonder that he was sought to host the show. Furthermore, he had the experience, having worked on such transformations off-camera for quite some time. I mean the man even wrote a book about it entitled Advance Your Swagger. On the show, not only does Bentley serve as host but also as mentor, life-coach and confidante to the contestants, roles which he seems to take very seriously, a point evident in his initial hesitation to take on the project.

“I wanted to meet with them [Foxx and Abrego] and make sure that they were on the right tone and the right message. If it was going to be something where we throw these guys in and watch them crash and burn, then I didn’t care if they offered 10 million dollars; I wasn’t going to be part of it and align my brand with it. Once I saw that the tone was there, and that Jamie Foxx and Cris Abrego really wanted to make changes and show these guys going through the transformations, I knew it was something that I wanted to be a part of. I said no to other offers of reality shows over the last three years – this is not a game for me.”

If you missed the premiere, check it out here or make sure to watch episode #2 this Tuesday from 10-11PM EST.

Do you think the project will meet Bentley’s expectations or will it follow the same fate of fellow reality shows and take a nosedive into the currently deep pool of trashy, yet scarily addicting projects? As you ponder over that one, check out Bentley’s new video for his the first single of his upcoming album (set to drop later on this summer) C.O.L.O.U.R.S. (”Cool Outrageous Lovers Of Uniquely Raw Style”).

With a smooth beat, some pretty sick styling from the likes of Andre 3000 and some hook bits from Kanye himself, the single just might be hit. If anything though, the video is funny and adorable thanks to a hint of Motown moves choreographed and taught by Bentley himself—truly a man of many talents.