Grammy Winning Solo Artist Jody Watley and Hip Hop Legend Rakim
#OTD August 26, 1989 “Friends” featuring Eric B. and Rakim made Music history on the Billboard Hot 100.
The single written by Jody Watley (lyrics and melody) with Andre Cymone (music) and rap verses by Eric B and Rakim, peaked at #9 on Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it “The First R&B/Pop/Rap Collaboration To Crossover Top 10 on Billboard Hot 100.”
The groundbreaking single was Watley’s 5th Top 10 Crossover Solo single. “Friends” also reached #3 Hot R&B and #7 Dance.
“The 1st R&B/Rap collaboration to crossover to the Hot 100 chart is pretty awesome though rarely acknowledged. I went out on a creative limb and thankful that despite push back MCA eventually gave in to my desire to have Rakim on it and that he & Eric B liked the song I’d written enough to join me on it. Radio was initially reluctant to play it and some would only play the edit without the rap verses. Since our single the collaborations were taken to higher heights and became a staple in popular “crossover music” on the Hot 100. The also notable video premiered on MTV was also inclusive on many levels and included elements of underground club culture, ballroom & voguing right alongside the b-boys and hip hop club kids – filmed in lower Manhattan in July of 1989. I also wore Jean Paul Gaultier couture fresh off runway in Paris, awls a contrast to the street style for the Club Couture theme.” – Jody Watley
OkayPlayer What Were The First R&B/Rap CollaborationsOkayPlayer “What Were The First R&B / Rap Collaborations”
#11 Adult Contemporary Written by: Gardner Cole, James Newton Howard
Produced by Andre Cymone
The poignant ballad still resonates with audiences today and found on many Classic Pop 80’s Playlists. You can stream it anytime on your preferred digital platform and add to your own personal favorites.
From the second Jody Watley solo album “Larger Than Life” also featured Top 10’s the gold single “Real Love” & groundbreaking “Friends” ft Eric B & Rakim. More of the Jody Watley Discography : Here
NEW!! Music icon Jody Watley welcomes legendary stylist and author Ty Hunter as a guest to “The Jody Watley Show,” on SiriusXM’s The Groove, Channel 50.
Tune in on August 13 and catch the inspirational Ty Hunter interview.
About Ty Hunter: From his humble beginnings in Houston, Texas, Ty Hunter rose to fashion icon status as the stylist for first, Destiny’s Child and then for the legendary Beyoncé. Ty’s inspirations and collaborations have graced the cover of countlessVenerable national and international publications. His creative style genius is coveted by celebrities as well as corporations.
Since creating some of the most iconic looks of all time and inspiring a whole new generation of fashion, Ty has collaborated with such ad campaigns as Hyundai, Footlocker, Charming Charlie, just to name a few. Ty has also dedicated himself to motivate those around him to be the best they can be with daily affirmations and inspirations as demonstrated in his instagram account @tytryone.
Legendary Stylist, Author, Motivational Speaker – Ty Hunter.
The Jody Watley Show, a 2-hour monthlyshow airs every second Sunday exclusively on SiriusXM’s The Groove at 6 PM (EST) / 3 PM (PST) and on the SiriusXM app on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online.SiriusXM reaches nearly 34 million subscribers monthly.The Jody Watley Show is packed with the best of classic to contemporary R&B music and engaging conversations with surprise guests.Watley is a multi-platinum selling GRAMMY winning artist as well as an award-winning songwriter. An accomplished producer, businesswoman, she is also one of the architects of 21st century pop affectionately referred to as “The Queen of Cool.’Renowned as one of the defining artists of the 80s with an everlasting influence on style, music and pop culture, Jody Watley forged the template that is now everybody’s playbook.From her groundbreaking marriage of rap & R&B (1989’s “Friends,” a collaboration with hip-hop legends Eric B. & Rakim pairing that is the first to crossover R&B/Hip-Hop, Pop and Dance into the Billboard Top 10 “Friends,” to her vision-forward marriage of high fashion, street fashion and music in the ‘80s long before it became the norm), to her fusion of jazz and underground club culture with keen pop instincts, and the ease with which she crossed and still crosses genre with hits spanning 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, 20s, Jody Watley is the embodiment of longevity and artistic fearlessness in the industry as a legacy artist.Get your groove on with Classic R&B on SiriusXM’s The Groove channel 50.SiriusXM is available to subscribers in their car, on their phone and connected devices at home with the SXM App. Streaming access is included with all of our trials and most popular plans. Go to www.siriusxm.com/ways-to-listen to learn more.
Jody Watley 2023 – Hot Summer In The City. Photo: All Rights Reserved Avid Music Inc.
I hope everyone is staying cool, hydrated and encouraged this summer. Although the months are flying by, hopefully you are finding time for personal self-care for your mental, physical and spiritual well-being.
A new Jody Watley Show airs this month on August 13, 3 P.M. PST 6 P.M EST airing on SIRIUS XM’s The Groove Channel 50. Remember it’s a radio show, not a podcast. Furthermore, it’s not archived so make sure to tune in. I’ll be announcing this month’s special guest midweek to get you ready for Episode 6.
In the meantime, stream Jody Watley music on the digital music streaming platforms of your choice an eclectic variety from the 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, 20s! Thanks again for subscribing to my website.
In short, and as always; remember to always let your light shine – Wattage!
I Love the ’80s Strikes Back is a miniseries and the third installment of the I Love the… series on VH1 in which various music and TV personalities reminisce about 1980s popular culture in a mostly humorous manner TV, Music and Film.The series premiered on October 20, 2003, and is a sequel to I Love the ’80s. The sequel designation is in the reference to The Empire Strikes Back.
Jody Watley gets a lot of love and props in this episode! 1987 being the year of her breakthrough hit packed multi-platinum self-titled solo debut. Featuring the multi format hit singles “Looking For A New Love” “Don’t You Want Me” “Still A Thrill” “Some Kind Of Lover”.
Grammy winning music legend Jody Watley bringing the Wattage!
Grammy winning music legend Jody Watley response to fans taking selfies and video at recent concert. Watley says “It use to distract me in my show and annoy me to be honest because I really want fans to be in the moment. Video recording the entire show is still discourage however now I embrace those taking short snippets and selfies and make it fun and even more memorable for them.I’ve even joked to make sure they get good angles!”
Usher’s trending interactions with celebrities and fans at his Vegas residency and the not so positive reception towards country singing star Miranda Lambert admonishing fans for taking selfies during a recent performance brings to mind how Jody Watley engages with her adoring fans. This is just one example – Watch it Now!
Be sure to tune in TODAY July 9, 2023 to this month’s episode of The Jody Watley Show.
3 P.M. PST // 6 P.M. EST on Sirius XM Ch. 50 The Groove. Episode 5 will include a chat with Grammy, Tony, Emmy nominated singer/actress Vanessa Williams and of course I’ll be playing a lot of your favorite R&B classics!
New York, NY – June 14, 2023 BNM Publicity Group & Management – Grammy Winning Singer-Songwriter and Style Icon Jody Watley welcomes the fabulous Vanessa Williams as a guest to “The Jody Watley Show,” on SiriusXM’s The Groove, Channel 50 for Episode 5.
Tune in on July 9th and catch the Vanessa Williams interview on The Jody Watley Show. 3 P.M. PST, 6 P.M. EST.
Vanessa Williams is one of the most respected and multi-faceted performers in the entertainment industry today.
Multi-talented Vanessa Williams stops by The Jody Watley Show and talks with music icon and radio host Jody Watley on SiriusXM’s The Groove, July 9, 2023.
She has made an indelible mark on the music scene with her chart-topping hits across various genres. With millions of records sold worldwide, Vanessa’s discography boasts a string of #1 and Top 10 hits on Billboard’s Album and Singles charts. From Pop and Dance to R&B, Adult Contemporary, Holiday, Latin, Gospel, and Jazz, she has showcased her versatility and talent throughout her career.
Her impressive catalogue includes iconic albums like “The Right Stuff,” “The Comfort Zone,” “The Sweetest Days,” “Next,” “Greatest Hits: The First Ten Years,” “Everlasting Love,” and “The Real Thing.” Vanessa’s holiday albums, “Star Bright” and “Silver & Gold,” have become beloved classics, bringing joy to listeners year after year.
Vanessa has garnered critical acclaim not only for her music but also for her remarkable work in film, television, recordings, and the Broadway stage. Her exceptional talents have been recognized by prestigious industry awards, including four Emmy nominations, eleven Grammy nominations, a Tony nomination, three SAG award nominations, seven NAACP Image Awards, and three Satellite Awards. Notably, her platinum single “Colors of the Wind” from Disney’s “Pocahontas” achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
Jody Watley, an iconic figure in her own right, is excited to welcome VanessaWilliams to “The Jody Watley Show” and engage in an enlightening conversation about Vanessa’s illustrious career and enduring impact on the entertainment industry.
The Jody Watley Show, a 2-hour monthly show airs every second Sunday exclusively on SiriusXM’s The Groove at 6 PM (EST) / 3 PM (PST) and on the SiriusXM app on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online.
SiriusXM reaches nearly 34 million subscribers monthly.
The Jody Watley Show is packed with the best of classic to contemporary R&B music and engaging conversations with surprise guests.
Watley is a celebrated singer, songwriter, producer, businesswoman, and one of the architects of 21st century pop, affectionately referred to as “The Queen of Cool.’
Renowned as one of the defining artists of the 80s with an influence on style, music and pop culture, Jody Watley forged the template that is now everybody’s playbook.
From her groundbreaking marriage of rap & R&B (1989’s “Friends,” a collaboration with hip-hop legends Eric B. & Rakim pairing that is the first to crossover R&B/Hip-Hop, Pop and Dance into the Billboard Top 10 “Friends,” to her vision-forward marriage of high fashion, street fashion and music in the ‘80s long before it became the norm), to her fusion of jazz and underground club culture with keen pop instincts, and the ease with which she crossed and still crosses genre.
Get your groove on with Old School R&B on SiriusXM’s The Groove channel 50. Hear the important artists from the ’70s and ’80s including Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson, Earth, Wind & Fire, Isley Brothers, the Gap Band, along with host Jody Watley, and more.
SiriusXM is available to subscribers in their car, on their phone and connected devices at home with the SXM App. Streaming access is included with all of our trials and most popular plans. Go to www.siriusxm.com/ways-to-listen to learn more.
Jody Watley guests on E! News talking music, a significant music career milestone, longevity, influence and new “Jody Watley Show” monthly on SIRIUS XM ‘The Groove’ Channel 50.
Jody Watley is a GRAMMY award winning multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer/independent label owner; recognized as a style icon and one of the architects of 21st century Pop/R&B/Dance music and listed in Billboard as one of the Top 60 Female Artists of All Time and Top 25 Dance Artists of All Time.
Jody Watley. All Rights Reserved Avid Music Inc. 2023E! News Host Keltie Knight and Jody Watley
Tune in June 22, 2023 11 PM EST / PST to catch Jody Watley on E! News
All Rights Reserved On Photography and All Contents Of This Post – Avid Music Inc. 2023.
