Monthly Archives: March 2025

Jody Watley’s Larger Than Life: A Musical Evolution

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Jody Watley “Larger Than Life” Cover Art. Photography by Steven Meisel.

On March 27, 1989, Jody Watley, fresh off her GRAMMY win for Best New Artist, delivered her second solo album, “Larger Than Life.” More than just an album, this platinum-certified solid follow up showcased her evolution as a visionary in music, fashion, and artistry. Jody Watley co-wrote 9 of the ten songs, produced by Andre Cymone. “The concept of the album is about not playing yourself small – make it larger than life, go big, do it up!” Watley has stated.

Let’s break down the hits:

“Real Love” – A high-energy dance-pop anthem that became one of her signature hits, earning a Gold certification and an unforgettable MTV presence with its trendsetting video which remains one of the most nominated music videos in VMA Awards History.

“Friends” (ft. Eric B. & Rakim *groundbreaker one of the first R&B/Rap collaborations to reach Top 10 on multiple charts including the Billboard Hot 100). A pioneering crossover hit, blending R&B and hip-hop in a way that helped lay the foundation for future collaborations across genres; a fact largely overlooked to this day in mainstream media, R&B and Hip Hop Media. The video was also quietly notable for it’s inclusion of hip hop B-Boys, true NYC underground club kids, and iconic figures like Connie Fleming, Codie Ravioli, voguers, drag queens, transgender, combined making a mix of club goers co-existing at her Club Couture.

“Everything” – A beautifully heartfelt ballad that became another major hit, showcasing her versatility.  

Cultural Impact:

Beyond the charts, Larger Than Life solidified Jody Watley’s influence on music, fashion, and visual storytelling. From the  iconic style moments, the forward thinking collaborative approach with Eric B & Rakim, she set trends that artists still draw from today. 

Revisit this classic album by downloading or streaming from the digital platforms of your choice: or discover it for the first time. Great music has no expiration date!

To learn more about the Jody Watley Discography 80s, 90s, 2000-present: https://jodywatley.net/discography/

Jody Watley Day – Real Love At Georgia State Capitol

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In June 2022, Jody Watley was honored with Jody Watley Day at the Georgia State Capitol, recognizing her impact not just in music but in culture and humanity. Trailblazer. Icon. Inspiration.

Jody Watley with Rep. Billy Mitchell, Dr. Jacqueline Mohair and Dee Dawkins-Haglier

The Grammy winning artist also received the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedication to community service in making a difference through arts and entertainment as a positive influence.

Jody Watley Day at Georgia State Capitol.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month we honor women like Jody Watley-paving the way for next generation of contemporary artists and women breaking barriers, and continuing to inspire generations.

Jody Watley – Jody Watley Day At Georgia State Capitol

Celebrating Jody Watley’s ‘Real Love’: Chart Success and Fashion Impact

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March 18, 1989, marked the release of Jody Watley’s 6th smash hit solo single “Real Love” a song that solidified her status as a music and style icon. 

The second single from her platinum selling Larger Than Life album dominated the charts, hitting #1 on both the Billboard R&B AND Dance charts and soaring to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single also achieved Gold certification, selling nearly a million copies. The song was written by Jody Watley and Andre Cymone and produced by Cymone for MCA Records.

Beyond its chart success, “Real Love” made history at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards earning six nominations – one of the most nominated in the award show’s history. The stylish high fashion visuals directed by David Fincher, showcased Watley’s trendsetting influence, cementing her as a force in both music and fashion.

Decades later “Real Love” remains a timeless anthem of empowerment and independence. As we celebrate this milestone, it’s clear Jody Watley’s impact is as powerful as ever.

Download, Stream, Watch the Official Video – AGAIN on YouTube and work that runway walk!

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we celebrate Jody Watley. Learn more about the ongoing and diverse Jody Watley Discography

Jody Watley – Breaking Barriers In Fitness Media

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Jody Watley “Dance To Fitness” was not just a hit but a cultural milestone; a groundbreaking moment, proving that a Black woman and recording artist could lead in this space championing fitness, inner peace, wellness and self-care.

 In the late 1980’s and early 90’s, the fitness video market was largely dominated by celebrities like Jane Fonda, Richard Simmons and fitness powerhouse Denise Austin. 

Her video provided much needed representation in the fitness and wellness industry. She showed that health, dance and exercise are for everyone, inspiring many who had never seen themselves reflected in mainstream fitness culture. 

As a Grammy-winning artist and style icon, Jody Watley in the Creative Concept role as well, choosing to incorporate her own music from her first two blockbuster solo albums. “Most all music in fitness videos were generic due to copyright and licensing restrictions.” The approach for “Dance To Fitness” was making fitness fun and accessible for everyone to popular music. This mindset was a catalyst influencing later celebrity fitness projects that combined non-generic music and exercise. That fact that it reached #1 underscores its mass appeal and commercial success. Jody’s trailblazing opened doors for future Black entertainers to the fitness and artist branding space from workouts to other celebrity driven brands, endorsements and products.

Furthermore, the fact that it reached #1 underscores its mass appeal and commercial success. It wasn’t just a niche project-it resonated widely, proving that there was a strong demand for diversity in fitness media.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we look back and celebrate this trailblazing achievement for a true trailblazer and her commitment to representation in the wellness, self-care, fitness arena and artists taking advantage of branding and opportunities on the entrepreneurial and business side.

Watch New Video Short of “Dance To Fitness” : Jody Watley Youtube Channel – Here

Jody Watley – “Waiting In Vain” A Bold and Beautiful Reinvention

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Grammy winning artist Jody Watley, known for her genre-defying artistry, took a reggae classic and transformed it into a sultry, jazz Bossa nova infused masterpiece.

Her interpretation brought a fresh and sophisticated elegance to “Waiting In Vain”, showcasing her ability to reimagine timeless songs while staying true to the emotional essence. The video, released in 2018, “Waiting In Vain” marked a significant chapter in pop, R&B, dance music, she seamlessly stepped into the jazz world again (decades after her her rendition of Cole Porter’s After You Who? for Red, Hot & Blue in 1990), proving her versatility and ability to captivate across genres. The song became a smooth jazz radio favorite reaching the Top 20 and Top 25 Billboard Jazz, cementing her credibility in the jazz space. It resonated with both longtime fans and new listeners with what Soulbounce called her elegant cool and refined vocal delivery.

Celebrating the 7th anniversary of the single and video release. NEW Exclusive Youtube Channel Video – Watch it Now: Official Jody Watley YouTube Channel

Learn More about the Jody Watley Music Discography : Here

Celebrating the Impact of Jody Watley’s Video Classics Vol. 1

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In an era when music video compilations were not as commonly recognized as albums, Jody Watley achieved success with her Video Classics Vol. 1. The collection was certified Gold, another major achievement as a solo artist.

Jody Watley was among the first black female artists to have a music video compilation achieve this level of success. The video featured short insights from Watley throughout discussing her inspirations, concepts and collaborations with the directors.

It demonstrated the strong demand for her visual artistry beyond the music. This underscored her impact as both music and visual trendsetter and style icon; proving her influence extended beyond radio hits. Her music videos highlighted her trendsetting fashion, free style movements. From “Real Love” to “Friends” ft Eric B & Rakim and “Looking For A New Love” she set trends that influenced a future generation of artists.The Gold certification validated her work as a visual innovator in the MTV Era, helping to pave the way for future artists to release similar projects. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we note that this cultural milestone, Jody Watley Video Classics Vol. 1 reinforced her status as a multi-dimensional artist with staying power beyond the charts.

During the late 80’s and early 90’s music videos were primarily seen on MTV, BET, VH-1 or Friday Night Videos on WTBS. The commercial success of Video Classics Volume 1, helped solidify music video compilations as a viable product, paving the way for future artists to release similar projects.

Did you / Do you have the collection on VHS / Laserdisc?!

Jody Watley: A Cultural Icon in Music and Fashion GAP Ad 1989

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Grammy winner Jody Watley has influence and impact as one of music’s defining female artists of style that are undeniable.

Jody Watley is more than an award winning artist – she’s a cultural icon who reshaped the music and fashion landscape. In her groundbreaking solo career, Watley has fused R&B, Pop, and Dance with a fearless approach to music, image and style.

A recognized as a style icon going back to her teen years on the iconic show Soul Train. Excerpt from Nelson George “The Hippest Trip In America – Soul Train and the evolution of culture and style “….with Jody emerging as a late 70’s style icon. She could rock silver shorts and red glitter converse sneakers, vintage 1940’s inspired dresses with pumps or her prom dress. Her hair was an ongoing adventure, sometimes filled with tons of ribbons, sometimes long ponytails, or a 1940’s hairdo..” ~ Book published by William Morrow Imprint of Harper Collins Books.

This month we’ll revisit some everlasting moments in style as a solo artist – thus far.

Jody Watley – In 1989, she made history as the first black woman to appear in a GAP celebrity ad campaign, solidifying her as an influence beyond music. She isn’t just a singer she is a visionary. She has made hits and history. “Portraits: Individuals Of Style” photography by the legendary Herb Ritts. Jody Watley unabashedly represented a new era of Pop, and R&B-fierce, stylish and unapologetically authentic. She wasn’t just making music, Jody Watley was redefining what it meant to be a solo Black female artist in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Her sound was fresh, her visuals, were ahead of their time and her style? Unmatched. Jody Watley wasn’t following trends she was setting them.

Before the ‘90s explosion of celebrity driven fashion endorsements, GAP tapped Jody Watley for their 1989, as did l.a. Eyeworks in 1988 for their groundbreaking optical campaign.

– making her the first black woman featured in their iconic ads. This was a big deal. Major brands weren’t widely embracing Black artists in mainstream fashion campaigns at the time but Watley’s undeniable impact made her impossible to ignore. She helped lay the foundation for future artists to secure major fashion deals, showing that Black artists were not just entertainers but influential cultural figures.

Decades later, Jody Watley’s influence is still felt in music and fashion. Artists like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Erykah Badu continue the legacy of fusing style, music and brand partnerships – something Watley helped pioneer.

Celebrating Women’s History Month and Trailblazer Jody Watley.

Exciting News Jody Watley Youtube Channel Turns 18

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Jody Watley has always had a strong vision with regard to her music, artistry and constant evolution, including in the digital age. From the early social media days of social media and subsequently Youtube. foresight to begin her branded Youtube Channel 18 years ago. The platform was still in it’s infancy. As another way to keep fans engaged and a part of the Jody Watley community offering a variety of playlists and of course the ongoing release of her music, videos, concerts and behind the scenes footage.

“18 years goes by so fast. I’m always surprised when people who say they are fans of an artist, can be so out of touch. With social media, artist website newsletters, artist pages on music streaming platforms, artist Youtube Channels all at your fingertips by way of mobile devices – there is no reason to be in the out of touch if you truly want to support and stay up to date with your favorites that may not be mainstays of gossip centric platforms. I started the channel as well to always tell my own story. As the platforms have gained popularity over the years, the increase of false narratives, fake stories, and so on have unfortunately increased. My channel allows me to always tell my own story countering the content for engagement, rage bait, click bait and so on. Pages and channels steal photos, to serve their own purposes for nefarious reasons. I can only control what I can control so to speak, especially as a public figure. Most of it you ignore and hope others do but people are gullible and love negativity, also very unfortunate. Over the years, I’ve removed content because of unauthorized misuse.

Additionally and on a positive note, all Jody Watley Music from the classics to the new are on Youtube Music and the Jody Watley Channel-but you get so much more with the content being uploaded, the exclusives, the variety of curated playlists and more.” – Jody Watley

Watch the NEW Anniversary Video: Jody Watley YouTube Channel Make sure to Subscribe if you haven’t already.

March is Women’s History Month. Empowering women in music requires intentional effort and action to include, support, and promote them.

Jody Watley sends a special thank you to all active supporters!

30th Grammy Awards: Jody Watley Takes Best New Artist

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On this Day: Mar 2, 1988: Jody Watley wins Best New Artist at 30th Grammy Awards held in New York City, Radio City Music Hall.

The award was presented by Architect of Rock & Roll Little Richard in one of GRAMMYs most memorable moments along with David Johansen  (New York Dolls / Buster Poindexter)

Additionally, the Chicago born singer/songwriter was nominated for 3 awards. A presenter that night to Best R&B Vocal Male in which the King of Pop Michael Jackson was a nominee.

The Grammy Museum WALK OF FAME, features one commemorative disc for each year of the GRAMMY Awards from 1958 – ongoing since the Grammy Museum opened in 2008 in downtown Los Angeles. Each disc contains the winners of the big four categories: Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year.

Watch the New Video Short : Official Jody Watley Youtube Channel: Here

Jody Watley: A Crossover Icon in Music History

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Jody Watley Grammy winning music style icon, singer/songwriter/music producer was celebrated in 2017 as “Crossover Music Icon” on the television broadcast presentation Black Music Honors. As March kicks off Women’s History Month let’s take a look back at an everlasting honor. The delightful tribute performances by R&B stars Vivian Green and Sevyn Streeter are now viewable on YouTube if you missed the original airing. Watch it Here: OmazingTV

Crossover Music Icon Honoree – Jody Watley Black Music Honors 2017
Crossover Music Icon Honoree Jody Watley with performers in tribute Sevyn Streeter and Vivian Green

Black Music Honors 2017: As quiet as it’s sometimes kept, Grammy award winning artist, songwriter, producer Jody Watley, one of Pop /R&B and Dance music’s most enduring pioneers has been at the forefront of some of the most groundbreaking trends and movements in modern pop culture – political statements, music and music video innovation, and the place where all those tracks meet. Check just a fragment of her résumé:

  • The video for her classic 1987 song “Still a Thrill” (from her Grammy-winning eponymous debut album of that same year) dazzlingly incorporates waacking, the underground freestyle dance (think of it as an even more beat-driven cousin to voguing), and is the first time a major pop star used their artistic platform to showcase this particular means of body expression. But Ms. Watley had actually brought the dance to widespread American attention a few years earlier as a teenage dancer on the iconic TV show Soul Train. Now, waacking has fans and practitioners around the globe, many of whom use the music of Ms. Watley in their routines as a show of respect for an OG who has  kept the flame burning.
  • Jody Watley was the first black woman and artist to release a million selling fitness video in 1989. An early adapter to what was to come with artists taking control of their potential extensions in business as “brands” with her vision forward “Dance To Fitness” set to her own Pop/R&B hits from her first 2 albums.
  • Jody Watley was one of few black female artists selected to crossover into groundbreaking celebrity ad campaigns for GAP and l.e. Eyeworks 1988 and 1989. Later she would be featured in an unprecedented 15 pages in the prestigious Fall Catalog for luxury retailer Saks 5th Avenue in 1996.
  • Her groundbreaking 1989 cut “Friends” carved the template for both R&B/hip-hop and pop/hip-hop fusions to come, as it was the first time a rapper (the legendary Rakim, of Eric B. & Rakim) wrote original verses for an R&B/pop song.
  • The video for “Friends” was a landmark of subversive/progressive representation that has still not yet been matched – or given its due as a taboo-shattering cultural artifact. Set in an underground New York dance club, and featuring performances by Ms. Watley and Eric B. & Rakim, the club’s denizens are made of up straight, gay, and transgender folk, of all races, body shapes and sartorial aesthetics. B-boys jostle alongside drag queens, Rakim rocks the mic, and Jody serves face and fierceness. It’s a warm utopian vibe. The gathering is organic, and lacks the opportunistic marketing tactic of gay-friendly advocacy that is now on trend for pop divas.
  • The catchphrase “Hasta La Vista Baby” for her mega debut single “Looking for a New Love” became a pop culture phenomenon along with her signature jumbo hoop earrings and eclectic swag separating her from other artists; a freestyle girl mixing high, low funky couture with high end and vintage.
    • Long before making his mark as a film director, David Fincher (Se7en; Fight Club) cut his stylistic teeth on Ms. Watley’s sleek, hugely influential music video for the 1989 smash “Real Love,” perfecting a signature visual look that he would later impart to other pop divas.
    • Unhappy with the constraints of being on a major label, she parted ways with her industry home and started her own label Avitone Recordings in 1995. Through it she has released four critically acclaimed CDs (Affection, 1995; The Saturday Night Experience, 1999; Midnight Lounge, 2001; The Makeover, 2006, Paradise, 2014) which have collectively spanned the genres electronica, ambient, R&B, and House. They’ve also reinforced her roots in and solidified her ties to the global dance underground, as everyone from 4Hero and King Britt to Masters at Work and Junior Vasquez jumped at the chance to work on these projects. She has also collaborated recently with Modern Funk Impresario Dam-Funk, and folk artist Peter Harper continuing to reflect an artist not confined to a stereotypical music boxes.
    • A fashion-forward visionary from her Soul Train days, Ms. Watley never used a professional stylist but, as a solo artist with a singular vision and keen instincts, carved her own look by weaving vintage clothing and contemporary street fashions from her own closet with high-end pieces from fashion designers who hadn’t yet caught the public or industry eye (Jean-Paul Gautier; Rifat Ozbek.) Photographers from the legendary Francesco Scavullo to firebrand Steven Meisel lined up to work with her. For her iconoclastic and influential eye, she was honored with a feature in VOGUE Italia’s groundbreaking “Black Issue” in 2008.

• • Jody Watley in 2016 was ranked by Billboard Magazine as one of the Greatest Dance Artists of All Time on a list that includes Madonna, Beyonce, Rihanna and Katy Perry. – Ernest Hardy

Jody Watley is a GRAMMY award winning multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer/entrepreneur. Some of her iconic Top 10 singles include “Looking For A New Love” “Don’t You Want Me” the groundbreaking “Friends” ft. Eric B & Rakim, and “Real Love”. 

With a diverse music discography spanning R&B / Pop / Dance /Hip Hop / Electronic / Jazz / Adult Contemporary 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, 20s Jody Watley is recognized as a style icon and one of the architects of 21st century Pop/R&B/Dance music. Jody Watley was 2017 recipient of the Black Music Honors ‘Crossover Music Icon’ Award for her early cultural influence and impact as a solo artist; other accolades include 2007 Billboard Dance Lifetime Achievement Award, along with nominations from the American Music Awards, MTV Awards, NAACP Awards and Soul Train Awards.

In 2018 Billboard Magazine included Jody Watley in the Top 60 Hot 100 Female Artists Of All Time and Top 25 Top Female Dance Artists Of All Time. A 2022 Inductee into the Women’s Songwriters Hall of Fame, Watley has also been recognized by performing rights organization BMI (Broadcast Music). “I’m really most proud to have songwriter and producer be a part of my resume and legacy as an artist.”

Learn more about Jody Watley: Biography and Discography