Jesy Nelson has released her first single as a solo artist since leaving the smash-hit girl band Little Mix last year.

The 30-year-old’s debut solo effort, named Boyz, is hip-hop inspired and samples Sean “Diddy” Combs’ 2001 track, Bad Boy 4 Life.

Boyz was co-written by Nelson while the singer was going through a painful break-up, and features a verse from rapper Nicki Minaj – who recently hit headlines for her disparagement of COVID-19 vaccines.

“Being nice a little boring when you in between the sheets,” Nelson sings, adding: “I love bad boys for life.”

Nelson had previously warned the her track may be divisive.

In the video for the new track set in California, Nelson is joined by Combs who stars as an angry neighbour after a golf ball smashes his window.

Nelson also cruises the streets while joined by a baseball bat-wielding backing dancer.

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Minaj also stars in the video, who poses alongside Nelson.

She said of the new music: “I just want to be myself and be real. I want my fans to hear that they’re my stories because they genuinely are. No-one has come in and told me what to write about. This is the music I’ve always wanted to make.”

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Nelson left Little Mix last December after nine years as part of the chart-topping, globe-trotting girl group, that has grown to become one of the most popular in British history.

She blamed the band’s impact on her mental health in her decision to leave.

Earlier this week she admitted to not speaking to her former bandmates anymore, as they continue to record and perform without her.

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