Monthly Archives: October 2024

Jody Watley’s Iconic Remix Album: YOU WANNA DANCE WITH ME?

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The Jody Watley remix album YOU WANNA DANCE WITH ME? assembled remixes from the self-titled debut and the sophomore Larger Than Life was released October 26, 1989.

Photography by Steven Meisel. Art Direction Lynn Robb and Jody Watley

Remix albums were not a popular thing back in the 80s but were gaining traction as artists like Madonna (You Can Dance!), Bobby Brown (Dance!…Ya Know It!), Janet Jackson (Janet Remixed, 1995), and Paula Abdul released sets that catered to their dance loving fans. 

Fans express there isn’t a single skip in the track listing and contains five of her six Billboard Top 10 HOT 100 Hits. The ballad “Everything”, another Top 10 multi chart hit, was not remixed for inclusion. The album was a continuous energetic mix.

YOU WANNA DANCE WITH ME? from the vast Jody Watley Discography peaked at number eighty six on the Billboard 200 album chart and forty eight on the Top R&B Albums chart. Watley took to social media to note she disagreed with MCA Records decision to release the remix album while still promoting her second album “Larger Than Life” still churning out hit singles such as “Real Love” “Friends” featuring Eric B & Rakim and “Everything.”

“I wish they’d released it between my second album and “Affairs of The Heart, but labels do what they do. For me it competed in sales with two albums out at the same time, time flies though and it’s another wonderful music anniversary and milestone – Happy 35th YOU WANNA DANCE WITH ME?!”

Multi-Platinum GRAMMY winning artist, songwriter, producer Jody Watley has an ongoing catalog spanning decades ranging from R&B, Pop, Dance, Rap/Hip Hop, Jazz, Adult Contemporary, House Music, Drum & Bass, Electronica, Ambient/Chill, Contemporary R&B/ Nu Disco/Club, Modern Funk – 80’s, 90’s, 00’s, 10’s, and 20’s.

Beyond her impressive discography, the Chicago native is recognized as a style icon (with features in American Vogue, Vogue Italia, Harper’s Bazaar, Rolling Stone, Essence Magazine, People Magazine and more) as well as one of the architects of 21st century Pop/R&B/Dance music merged with style and artist branding. Ranking consistently in Billboard lists as one of the Top 60 Hot 100 Female Artists of All Time, Top 25 Dance Artists of All Time, Top 100 Black Solo Artists Of All Time.

Stream YOU WANNA DANCE WITH ME? at the digital music platforms of your choice including Spotify with other Jody Watley releases.

Subscribe to the Official Jody Watley Youtube Channel to check out a new video of Jody Watley speaking on the release.

Jody Watley – The Legacy of “Renderings” EP

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Released #OTD October 22, 2021 “Renderings” The Alex Di Ciò Remixes EP by GRAMMY winning artist, singer, songwriter, producer Jody Watley.

Ranked as one of music’s most successful dance artists of all time, “Renderings” added to Watley’s vast array of solo hits with contemporary Top 5 Billboard Dance chart hits “A Beautiful Life” and “Whenever” and an additional new composition by Watley and longtime collaborator Rodney Lee; “Not A Single Day Goes By.” 

“Renderings” would go on to reach the Top 5 on the UK Soul Chart.

Limited Edition CD Digipaks Sold Out, sold exclusively from the online Jody Watley online boutique.

“I appreciate those who continue to support my music- THANK YOU!” – Jody Watley 

Streaming at All Digital Music Platforms! Watch the exclusive video short on Youtube: Official Channel

Jody Watley is a GRAMMY award winning multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer recognized as a style icon. Winner of Best New Artist in 1988, only the third black artist in recording academy history at the time. Jody Watley is listed in Billboard as one of the Top 60 Female Artists of All Time, Top 25 Dance Artists of All Time and Top 100 Black Solo Artists Of All Time.

The recipient of Crossover Music Icon from Black Music Honors 2017, furthermore Jody Watley has an ongoing mult-genre music discography spanning R&B / Pop / Dance /Hip Hop / Electronic Soul / Jazz / Adult Contemporary/Chill -80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, 20s. 

The versatile songstress and Chicago native was recognized by People Magazine in their 50 Most Beautiful People Issue, and appeared in breakthrough ad campaigns for GAP, Saks 5th Avenue and LA Eyeworks of many ongoing milestones in her solo career. 

As a solo artist, for over four decades; the Pop and R&B singer-songwriter -producer has 6 Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Singles (Looking For A New Love, Don’t You Want Me, Friends ft. Eric B & Rakim and more), her video for the now classic hit “Real Love” remains one of the most nominated MTV VMA’s of all time, 13 Number 1 Dance Singles, 2 R&B Number 1’s, 15 Top 40 Singles, Gold and multi-platinum albums in the USA alone as a solo artist. 

Watley’s eventual fusion of jazz, and deep house music made her a long time staple in underground club culture. The ease with which she crosses genres opened the doors for greater acceptance of black women thinking outside the box in music and fashion is notable.

In March 2023 Sirius XM launched the monthly Jody Watley Show on The Groove Channel during Women’s History Month. The show featured enlightening conversations with such guests as TLC, En Vogue, Vanessa L. Williams, Earvin “Magic”Johnson, Deborah Cox, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tabitha Brown, Robert ‘Kool Bell’ and more with a back drop of classic R&B.

Jody Watley’s newest release in 2024  is the aptly titled “EVERLASTING” written and produced by Watley with longtime collaborator soul & jazz musician producer Rodney Lee with additional production by Italy’s renowned DJ/Remix Producer Alex Di Ciò. The single reached #2 on the UK Soul Chart, The Remixes reached #2 iTunes Top Dance Albums and continues to garner international acclaim. 

Jody Watley began her music career with a brief tenure as the original female member of the disco R&B trio Shalamar for their most pinnacle recordings 1978-1983 before going on to her own superstar career. 

Learn More about Jody Watley :

Bio::

Jody Watley Biography

Discography::

Jody Watley Music Discography

Jody Watley Enters Pandora’s Elite Million Streams Club

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Grammy Award Winning artist Jody Watley reached a new milestone. Pandora recognized the music legend for her blockbuster debut 1987 single “Looking For A New Love” reaching the Million Streams Club. The Grammy nominated single was written by Jody Watley and Andre Cymone, produced by Cymone and David Z and is one of the defining singles of the 80’s with Watley’s popular catch-phrase “Hasta La Vista Ba-By” later popularized again by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator Judgement Day.

“I’m very proud of this newest milestone for one of my biggest hits. Always thankful that MCA’s Jheryl Busby insisted I needed to write one more song, after turning in my debut album. “Looking For A New Love” was that song! Good music has no expiration date and the ongoing streams are a testament to this for longtime fans and new generations to come. In addition, to continue to write, record and release quality music spanning 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, 20s is a blessing.” – Jody Watley

Jody Watley is a GRAMMY award winning multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer/entrepreneur, founder of indie label Avitone. With a diverse music discography spanning R&B / Pop / Dance /Hip Hop / Electronic / Jazz / Adult Contemporary 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, 20sJody Watley is recognized as a style icon and one of the architects of 21st century Pop/R&B/Dance music, an inductee into the Women’s Songwriters Hall Of Fame, listed in Billboard as one of the Top 60 Female Artists of All Time, Top 25 Dance Artists of All Time, Top 100 Black Solo Artists Of All Time.

As a solo artist, the Pop and R&B singer-songwriter was awarded the prestigious Best New Artist GRAMMY Award in 1987, only the third black artist in the history of the recording academy and broadcast to receive that honor. 

As a Solo artist, JODY WATLEY has 6 Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Singles, 7 Number 1 Dance Singles, 2 R&B Number 1’s, 15 Top 40 Singles, Gold and multi-platinum albums in the USA alone. Her vast discography also includes million selling greatest hits video compilation and fitness video (a first for a black woman in the genre).

Her music has charted in other countries including Japan, Germany, Netherlands. In the UK, 5 Top 5 UK Soul Chart Singles, along with two Top 5 Commercial Pop / Urban singles add to her ongoing tally of hits though she says “Hits are great, though my priority is always simply writing and releasing quality music that can resonate with people in a positive way. That’s what my newest single “EVERLASTING” is about.”