In celebrating the 35th Anniversary Solo Debut of the breakout “Jody Watley”album. Sharing archives of content that precedes the internet and social media.. Though firmly rooted in the now – the 35th seems worthy to note on such a timeless pivotal project – the video, photo’s, and highlighting the fact that breaking through into some of these publications was so rare for a black artist at that time, there were only a few.

This is my first Rolling Stone Magazine feature. It’s interesting to look back and see the context of the write-ups, how they framed it ( I was never trying to replicate anyone – rather, create my own fashionable and unique lane – no choreography, never tons of dancers in sync because from my point of view Michael and Janet Jackson had that on lock and were owning it. These articles inevitable contain errors (such as I left Shalamar in 1983 not 1984..)

It was a priority for me to establish myself as Jody Watley – solo entity, not a former member of.. to highlight the fact that I was no ones ingenue came with a strong vision, writing songs – very focused and strong willed.

Women are still often written about in a rather marginalizing manner, decades later. I continue to strive to be my own person focused on my art, business of Jody Watley and of course my happiness along the way – with style and grace.