Thich Nhat Hanh always had the wisdom and inspiration. I’m sharing this reminder because it resonated with me this morning on my mediations – you don’t need to be ‘accepted’ by others as long you have self acceptance of who you are, who you continue to become on this journey of life. Block out the noise – be and believe in the special person that is distinctly you. As I wrote in my song “A Beautiful Life” “.. stronger, wiser and feeling beautiful because I want a life – that’s beautiful..” it won’t be if you try to shrink yourself into other people’s fantasies, misperceptions, preconceived notions, desires and so on..
Jody Watley – Feeling beautiful with total self-acceptance of being me. Love is always the message.
Jody Watley celebrated the 35th anniversary of her massive blockbuster self-titled album in true festive style coupled with a birthday balloon drop into the audience on Friday, January 28th at Sycuan Casino and Resort in San Diego.
The sold-out concert began with a standing ovation from her fans when the Grammy award-winning iconic singer appeared on stage. Watley’s 90-minute set did not disappoint! She delivered a high-energy performance from beginning to end. To the surprise of the audience, she introduced musician, songwriter, and producer Andre Cymone who joined Watley for the first time onstage in celebration of her 35th Anniversary Solo Debut Concert.
In the show, Watley said, “It’s a historical night.” Cymone was an early collaborator with Watley on her solo debut album, co-writing hits like Looking For A New Love, Still A Thrill, Some Kind of Lover and subsequent hits Real Love, Friends, I Want You on their work together over 4 albums. With sheer delight from the crowd, Cymone was well-received with continual applause from fans as he jammed with Watley and her band throughout the show.
Andre sat down for an interview and also recorded a message for the Grammy winner, while also giving respect and praise for her influence on other female artists. The former couple was also married.
They divorced in 1994 and have one son together, Arie. Andre Cymone has since remarried. Their son Arie was in attendance along with daughter Lauren along with Andre’s wife Katherine to join in the festive occasion. “The night was truly special, especially with Andre graciously accepting an invitation from me to play with my band on stage in celebration for my birthday and 35th anniversary of my solo debut album,” says the legendary singer.
As a solo artist, the ageless pop and R&B singer has 6 Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Singles, 13 Number 1 Dance Singles, 2 R&B Number 1’s, 15 Top 40 Singles, Gold and platinum albums, 2007 Billboard Dance Lifetime Achievement, 2017 recipient of the Black Music Honors Crossover Music Icon Award and nominations from the American Music Awards, MTV Awards, NAACP Awards and Soul Train Awards. – Eurweb.
I had a great time as guest DJ on Sirius Xm Big 80’s on 8 February 1, playing some of my favorite artists and songs. Though my music continues and spans decades of various genres – being a part of an era of music that was so much fun, full of variety from pop, dance, r&b, rock, punk, new wave.. from the music to the clothes is truly special. I appreciate SIRIUS for having me on again having guest DJ’ed on BK Kirkland’s The Groove in 2020.
If you missed it and are a subscriber, tune in February 9 at 3 PM EST, for the rebroadcast.
Jody Watley celebrated the 35th anniversary of her massive blockbuster self-titled album in true festive style coupled with a birthday balloon drop into the audience on Friday, January 28th at Sycuan Casino and Resort in San Diego.
The sold-out concert began with a standing ovation from her fans when the Grammy award-winning iconic singer appeared on stage.
To the audience’s surprise, she introduced musician, songwriter, and producer Andre Cymone who joined Watley for the first time on stage in celebration of her 35th Anniversary Solo Debut Concert.
Cymone was an early collaborator with Watley on her solo debut album, co-writing hits like Looking For A New Love. Still A Thrill, Some Kind of Lover, and subsequent hits Real Love, Friends, and I Want You are hits they created together over four albums. With sheer delight from the crowd, Cymone was well-received with continual applause from fans as he jammed with Watley and her band throughout the show.
Andre sat down for an interview and recorded this message for the Grammy winner, giving respect and praise for her influence on other female artists.
Andre’s wife Katherine joined in the festive occasion.
“The night was truly special, especially with Andre graciously accepting an invitation from me to play with my band on stage in celebration of my birthday and 35th anniversary of my solo debut album,” says the legendary singer.
As a solo artist, the ageless pop and R&B singer has 6 Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Singles, 13 Number 1 Dance Singles, 2 R&B Number 1’s, 15 Top 40 Singles, Gold and platinum albums, 2007 Billboard Dance Lifetime Achievement, 2017 recipient of the Black Music Honors Crossover Music Icon Award and nominations from the American Music Awards, MTV Awards, NAACP Awards and Soul Train Awards.
Watley is a trendsetting pioneer in music, video, fashion and style, one of the architects of 21st-century pop.
The cultural music iconic singer in Pop/Soul/R&B continues to amass chart-toppers!
She also performed the upbeat dance song, Whenever, from her latest EP release, Renderings, a special collection of Alex Di Ciò Dance/Club remixes. Alex Di Ciò is a world-renowned producer and remixer.
Congratulations, Ms. Watley!
You can follow the iconic singer on her social media @jodywatley SHEEN MAGAZINE
Jody Watley celebrated the 35th anniversary of her massive blockbuster self-titled album in true festive style coupled with a birthday balloon drop into the audience on Friday, January 28th at Sycuan Casino and Resort in San Diego.
The sold-out concert began with a standing ovation from her fans when the Grammy award-winning iconic singer appeared on stage. Watley’s 90-minute set did not disappoint! She delivered a high-energy performance from beginning to end.
To the surprise of the audience, she introduced musician, songwriter, and producer Andre Cymone who joined Watley for the first time onstage in celebration of her 35th Anniversary Solo Debut Concert.
Cymone was an early collaborator with Watley on her solo debut album, co-writing hits like Looking For A New Love, Still A Thrill, Some Kind of Lover and subsequent hits Real Love, Friends, I Want You on their work together over 4 albums. With sheer delight from the crowd, Cymone was well-received with continual applause from fans as he jammed with Watley and her band throughout the show.
Andre sat down for an interview and also recorded a message for the Grammy winner, while also giving respect and praise for her influence on other female artists.
“The night was truly special, especially with Andre graciously accepting an invitation from me to play with my band on stage in celebration for my birthday and 35th anniversary of my solo debut album,” says the legendary singer.
As a solo artist, the ageless pop and R&B singer has 6 Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Singles, 13 Number 1 Dance Singles, 2 R&B Number 1’s, 15 Top 40 Singles, Gold and platinum albums, 2007 Billboard Dance Lifetime Achievement, 2017 recipient of the Black Music Honors Crossover Music Icon Award and nominations from the American Music Awards, MTV Awards, NAACP Awards and Soul Train Awards.
what a time it was to be alive and witness the brilliance of jody watley thrive at every level of pop culture. when people talk about the pop/dance divas of the 80’s and 90’s, jody watley’s legacy is often omitted, which is nothing short of criminal. jody watley is arguably one of the most influential pop/dance artists of the musical era.
born in chicago on january 30, 1959, jody was introduced to the stage by her godfather & soul music pioneer, jackie wilson. by the time she turned 17, her trendsetting fashion style and dancing made her one of the most popular dancers on the weekly TV dance show “soul train.”
by the late 1970’s and early 80’s, jody was charting hits on both sides of the pond as one third of the post-disco group, shalamar. their sound and style made them one of the most influential r&b/dance groups of the 1980’s.
after exiting the group in 1983, jody moved to london for a few years before returning to the US to slay with gurls with her 1986 monster hit, “lookin’ for a new love.” her solo debut album followed and the hits continued. she would go in to win the grammy for best new artist in 1988.
in 1990, she released her sophomore album “larger than life” which included two of the pop/dance genres most influential songs. the video for the lead single, “real love” introduced high runway fashion into the pop music esthetic. it also became one of the VMA’s most nominated videos. the follow-up single, “friends” a collaboration with hip-hop duo erik b. & rakim invented the rap/sing genre that continues to dominate contemporary pop music.
for the past 40 years, jody watley has remained one of music’s most innovative performers, writers, singers and fashion icons. in 1990, long before AIDS advocacy became the “thing” to do, she was part of one of the first global HIV/AIDS projects.
jody continues to perform all over the world and champions lgbtq rights. miss watley is a living legend who have amassed 32 top 10 singles and 13 No. 1 singles across multiple  genres over the past three decades as a solo artist. all this and she never, ever had to gay bait. why? cuz miss jody was and still is THAT gurl! – Gran Varones
