After weeks of delays, former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson has finally released her first solo single after leaving the chart-topping band last year.
The singer, 30, shared the hip hop-inspired Boyz, which channels Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s 2001 track Bad Boy 4 Life.
The song, co-written by Nelson while she was going through a painful break-up, also features a verse from rap superstar Nicki Minaj.
“Being nice a little boring when you in between the sheets,” Nelson sings. ” I love bad boys for life.”
Before release, Jesy had warned fans the song may be divisive.
The accompanying music video is set in Southern California and includes a cameo from rap mogul P Diddy, who appears as a frustrated neighbour after Nelson hits a golf ball through his window.
In scenes echoing Diddy's original Bad Boyz track, Jesy is seen cruising through the streets in a low rider car while accompanied by a baseball-wielding backing dancer.
She left Little Mix in December 2020 after nine years as part of the massively successful girl group, who have sold more than 50 million records worldwide.
She blamed the toll being in the band had taken on her mental health.
This week Jesy confirmed she no longer speaks to her former band mates Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall and Perrie Edwards.
The star said the trio had been her 'sisters' during her time in the group but she has not heard from them since she made the decision to quit.
However, Jesy said she was hopeful they would come together at some point when the time was right.
Romford-born Nelson had been open about her struggles when she was part of Little Mix.
She received praise for the 2019 BBC documentary Odd One Out, in which she revealed abuse on social media got so bad she attempted to take her own life.
