Jody Watley A Monumental Look Back To Still A Thrill

The gears below the Paris Opera House (Le Palais Garnier)

Being the first artist or entity at all to be allowed to film a video in the then called Opera de Paris (Palais Garnier) in Paris, France for my video “Still A Thrill” in 1989 is something that was quietly monumental at the time – and probably beyond my devoted fans few know this. When most “urban” artists were primarily relegated to basic in studio videos. I thought about the significance as Beyonce made headlines with her video filmed at the prestigious Louvre museum another landmark in Paris. As one of my fans noted..”if you released this today, you would have broken the internet..it was ahead of the times.” I agree.

Directed by Brian Grant, the 2nd of 3 videos we filmed together – I sashayed all over the streets of Paris (thank you to my former label for supporting my vision) – I worked the historic setting with no choreography or rehearsals. There’s also a scene in one of the night shots on the streets of Paris where graffiti notes “Gay Color, Say Cool Say What?” that makes it’s own statement and my support of the LGBTQ community without batting a cat-eyed eyelash that I’ve never been asked about.

This included the basement so to speak working the gears with Tyrone “The Bone” Procter, former ST alum like me – freestyle, waacking, just making it up as we went along. I styled myself (a bit of Jean Paul Gaultier mixed in) as well as Tyrone (in a Jean Paul Gaultier T-shirt).  It was about the edgy style against the opulent setting and getting in the music. Creating art outside the box especially for a black girl at the time dealing with industry politics among other things – quietly opening doors and raising the bar for myself and others to follow has always been important to me – before social media.

You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing-that’s usually how artists make a mark.

Classic.

Paris By Night was the theme and concept of the video – totally enjoyed collaborating and working with Brian Grant.

 

Today’s Inspiration. Quote and Motivation.

A Jody Watley At Chene Park Celebratory Mix by Chris Campbell aka DJ Cambeaux

For the deep cuts music appreciators – you’ll enjoy this compilation put together by Detroit’s The Progressive Underground’s Chris Campbell in celebration and support of my highly anticipated concert at the beautiful Chene Park Detroit.

Just push play:

Jody Watley’s Latest Music Triumph

Venerable Grammy Award Winning Artist, Style Icon and Trailblazer Jody Watley’s latest music triumph is her stunning jazz turn of the Bob Marley classic “Waiting In Vain.” Watley continues to delight and surprise – with decades of hits under her belt in various genres she broke new ground with a Top 10 in the Smooth Jazz field on the heels of being ranked as one of Billboard Magazines Greatest Dance Club Artists of All Time.

A truly timeless artist, songwriter and renaissance woman.

jody watley waiting in vain cover art copy

Classic Jody Watley Photo of The Day. Interview Magazine 1987

Jody Watley, Interview Magazine, 1987

Photography: Karen Filter

Makeup: Wendy Osmunson

Jody Watley Comes to Oakland for Juneteenth

It’s a community picnic you don’t want to miss – and it’s free to the people as a thank you for the Oakland City Council. I’ll be doing a few of my hits – so come on out! June 16, 2018 – I go on at 2 PM.

Oakland-Juneteenth Jody Watley

 

Info: Here