Jesy Nelson samples P Diddy on her first single since leaving Little Mix

Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson has released her first solo single, Boyz, less than a year after quitting the record-breaking girl group.

Street-smart and dripping in attitude, the song is based around a hefty sample from P Diddy’s Bad Boy For Life.

The release was reportedly delayed for several weeks so the hip-hop star could appear in the music video.

Nelson has previously described the song as an “in your face” club anthem that could divide fans’ opinion.

“You’re either going to love it or you’re going to hate it and I would rather that than people be like, ‘Meh, okay…'”, she told Noctis XXI Magazine.

In reality, it’s not a million miles away from Little Mix’s more strident R&B songs – think Power, Salute or Wasabi.

Nelson’s trademark vibrato and butter-smooth harmonies are instantly recognisable, although her accent falls awkwardly between Texas, Jamaica and her home town of Romford.

Lyrically, the song was inspired by a “particularly painful break-up” that left the 30-year-old wondering: “‘Why do I like bad boys, what is wrong with me? Why am I attracted to anyone that looks naughty?'”

BBC