Jody Watley with Tony! Toni! Tone! for the second time, for another funky fabulous and stylish evening.
Loved the venue, totally state of the art! Lots of positive feedback on my various social media pages and as always I appreciate those who come out and support the live music experience. The audience was reserved at first, a sense of ‘judgement’ is always in the air especially with a certain demographic.. some people who come to judge me (what’s she giving? is she any good? what does she look like…. and of course SRL who join me on a couple of my Shalamar classics before we move on. Nate is also a show man and the combination of Nate with John ‘Havic’ Gregory is a hit with fans loving the new vibes.. in the end they always end up having a good time, and receiving the positive vibes. Visit my Instagram and Facebook pages for more some of the fan videos I’ve shared.
Admittedly, I have a certain dislike for people being on their phones and filming the show..short snippets are ok, good angles preferred. In this case many did capture the full stage rather than zooming in on just me. What I know is most are always surprised I don’t just come out and sing my hits..I bring a level of production, glamour, spontaneity and a lot of heart and some inspiration added in.
Pre-Show with D’wayne Wiggins & Tony! Toni! Tone!
Ready to take the stage – Wattage!
Jody Watley & SRL 2019. Detroit. Sound Board, ready to bring the heat!
Nate Allen Smith and John ‘Havic’ Gregory. SRL 2019.
Wonderful and stylish band. Roland Hamilton, Wallace Butts, John ‘Havic Gregory (SRL), Nate Allen Smith (SRL), Naz Chambi, Keith Eaddy, Kerry Griffin all a part of the collective.
Disco fabulous soul (joining me for a couple of my Shalamar hits) and contemporary new soul with SRL our UK Soul hits (The Mood, The Passion Alex Di Cio Mixes)
Singing one of my classic hits ‘Everything’ after receiving beautiful roses.
Not just a solo debut.. a multiple Grammy nominee, Grammy winning solo debut – so I always have to do it justice..this show does it best.. timeless imagery.
Delivering – Classic Jody Watley with a modern edge as always.
Taking time to smell the roses after the concert.
Up next San Antonio, Texas – Jo Long Theatre at The Carver; it will be our last show of 2019, though I will be doing 3 California holiday performances in ‘The Colors of Christmas” with Peabo Bryson, Oleta Adams and Ben Vereen.
Jody Watley & SRL will pick it up again as a collective in 2020.
I’ve loved, collected and sent positive greeting cards since I was in junior high school.. this is a recent purchase to share with you, seen while in the art store – hopefully you appreciate the message too.
I’m doing this post for this Music Monday to drop some music history and knowledge behind my groundbreaking single “Friends.” A lot of misinformation and out right lack of knowledge; it’s my duty to not only always tell my own story but to make sure those who don’t know – learn it.
“…The single was released in April 1989 and steadily rose up the charts. The video became popular on both BET and MTV, garnering a coveted spot on Donnie Simpson’s Video Soul Top 20… but the big news is “FRIENDS” with Jody Watley ft Eric B & Rakim managed to do WHAT NO PREVIOUS R&B/Rap collaboration had done before: crossover to the Hot 100 charts. “Friends” reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1989. When Jody Watley performed “Friends” on The Arsenio Hall Show, Eric B. & Rakim weren’t present but she performed Rakim’s verse effortlessly.
This monumental event in R&B/Rap collaboration history has largely gone overlooked close to 30 years after the fact.”
It’s definitely overlooked, and necessary to note. Saying it louder for those in the back – it was the first to crossover on three charts Top 10 and most significantly the Hot 100…paving the way for a new collaborations, easier access to Pop and R&B radio (eventually pushing out R&B – to become primarily all rap/hip-hop) previously had before balked at playing rap music at all, so a lot of the airplay initially had the no rap edit which is why many don’t realize the significance.
The video “Club Couture” was also notable.. my concept a real underground New York nightclub where everyone came to be fabulous, dance, perform – b-boys, and hop hop dancers getting their party on with voguers and ball kids, drag queens, transgender, mixed cultures all partying together.connected through music without hate being as you are – and fabulous as I came through in Gaultier couture from Paris – people weren’t ready. It’s still my hope. Everything I do comes from a place of being authentic – ‘Friends’ directed by Jim Sonzero was another example of that.
Arriving in style for the Rakim book signing..Rakim had no idea I was coming.
Initially I stood in live very low key with the other fans..the line continued to grow.
Eventually, I was taken in by Rakim’s manager as the word got out that I was in line..it was still a surprise though. Going back to choosing Eric B & Rakim to be on my single ‘Friends’ from my second solo album “Larger Than Life: which became a groundbreaking multi-chart Top 10 collaboration to working with him again in the 1998 ‘Off The Hook’ D-Dot Remix and video.. it was great say hi and let him know I was his fan back in the day and continue to be, to which Rakim told me “..you’re family..always will be.”
While standing in line I was also inspired and look forward to signing copies of my memoir in the near future.
Get the bestseller ‘Rakim: Sweat The Technique” life and writing manual.
Video of our reunion to follow in the meantime, here’s our classic ‘Friends’ Jody Watley featuring Eric B & Rakim.
Golden era Hip Hop, a couple of my personal favorites from Eric B & Rakim.
Nightlife – Soulpersona Classic Soul Remix- Single
Nightlife – Single
Paradise – EP
Paradise – Single
Slowdance – Single
The Passion – Jody Watley & SRL
I Want Your Love Remixes
Thanks for continuing to listen to these contemporary releases from my Avitone imprint via The Orchard alongside my other vast repertoire and classics!