The second platinum solo album featured Top 10 Singles “Real Love”, the groundbreaking “Friends” featuring Eric B & Rakim along with the ballad “Everything.” The 4 and final single was the mid-tempo “Precious Love.”
The album featured photography by legendary fashion photographer Steven Meisel and a change in the visual style and look to a more fashion forward aesthetic also incorporating designer looks with street style. T
The now classic “Real Love “ video directed by David Fincher remains one of the most nominated in MTV Awards history with 6.
“Friends” featuring Eric B & Rakim is the first original song pairing a Pop / R&B artist with Rap/Hip Hop verses to crossover into the Top 10 on multiple charts.
1989
Real Love (J. Watley, A. Cymone) Jody Watley Music BMI, Ultrawave ASCAP
# 2 Hot 100
# 1 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
# 1 Hot Dance Club Play
Friends featuring Eric B and Rakim (J. Watley, A. Cymone, Rakim, Eric B) Jody Watley Music BMI, Ultrawave ASCAP
# 9 Hot 100
# 3 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
# 7 Hot Dance Club Play Singles
Everything (G. Cole, J. Newton-Howard)
# 4 Hot 100
# 3 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
# 11 Adult Contemporary