Jody Watley. Record Mirror Magazine UK Solo Debut feature.
“I’d met with other labels. Jheryl Busby of MCA got me right away. He’d worked with Donna Summer at Casablanca Records another woman with a strong artistic vision, a songwriter and force of nature. I ultimately I chose MCA over labels like Warner Brothers, A&M, CBS – because the vibe was right knowing Jheryl understood and respected my artistic vision and sense of self from the first meeting.
I’m eternally grateful, he galvanized the entire label and promotional team
35th Anniversary solo debut vibes all month of January.
** an interesting write-up** the only feature I had in Vibe Magazine..I remain true to what I say here – decades later. I’m not sure why they used a photo from 1989 for this piece in 2003, but it’s a classic Steven Mesiel shot!
Some Kind of Love. Domepiece, Written by Nicola Vassell
Talk about multi-faceted, Jody Watley has found success as a dancer, singer, songwriter, model, Broadway actors fitness video instructor, and labor founder. At only 17, the Los Angeles High School grad turned a dancing stint into a singing career with Shalamar which debuted on the charts in 1977 with Uptown Festival (Part 1) and followed up with hits like “The Second Time Around” and “This Is For The Lover In You.” After a less than amicable parting of the ways in 1983, Watley went solo. Fueled by her avant grade appeal and songs like “Looking For A New Love” her self titled debut won a Grammy for Best New Artist. Her subsequent six U.S. albums included such hits as “Real Love”. Watley who lives on Los Angeles wit her daughter Lauren 20, and son Arie 10, recently released a dance album, “Midnight Lounge” through her own label Avitone and Shinbone Alley / Shanachie Entertainment.
In school, I never had a feeling of belonging, I was quiet, well dressed and smart. Unfortunately, those traits don’t win you a lot of friends, so performing became my outlet. I was always determined to not just make it, but to stand out. After being in a group where I wasn’t always a part of the decision making, I wanted my solo efforts to come from a position of strength. Back then, there were no Black females making the type of artistic statements I wanted to make. I made a conscious decision to make my first two soli albums uptempo. I didn’t want anything to be reminiscent of Shalamar.
At a certain point, there was pressure from my record company to work with specific producers, but I was stubborn. Even my collaboration with the god of hip-hop Rakim, on “Friends” made the label very nervous. But I did it because I was a true fan of his. No other rapper has a voice like his – and I knew that long before Truth Hurts.
I just held true to what I believed, and that’s hard to do. Art and commerce don’t always mix. If you’re an artist, inevitably you’ll want to change to set a path for others to follow. To be a celebrity is one scenario, but to be an artist, there has to be a defined vision. You have to believe when no one else believes, and be fearless in your efforts. I feel good knowing I was one of the first girls to work it with my attitude, flavor style and most importantly my individuality.
YOU Magazine. Daily Mail On. Sunday. Jody Watley in Azzedine Alaia – Classic Image Of The Week.
Jody Watley. YOU Magazine, The Mail On Sunday The Daily Mail Newspaper U.K.
December 1991 “Affairs of The Heart” Interview
Interview by Chrissy Iley
Photography: Mike Owen
Make-up: Paul Starr
Here are a couple polaroids from my collection from that session:
Jody Watley – Wattage!Custom suit by Richard Tyler.
Excerpt:
“Frail and delicate she may appear, but Jody Watley feels trapped by the image of the exotic songbird. Now, with a new solo album “Affairs Of The Heart” on the way and a little self-help psychology, she aims to soar”
“Since going solo, I’m very much a control freak. No one can be as passionate about my career as I am. It’s me, self expression, something I’ve wanted to do since I was 5…no one knows better as well that if you look a certain way – you’re going to be fighting to prove you’re also smart..”
“..If I’m good to myself I’ll be good to everyone else..I want to be remembered for what I have to say, the singer, the songwriter not the singer with Shalamar..”
As an artist always moving forward, these social media speciality days are an opportunity to share my past which is a part of my history and continued evolution. It’s good to be reminded that I’ve never lost myself in the midst of my ongoing desire to evolve, get better but remain true to myself. Women in any business are always fighting to be taken serious, to convey substance, value and intelligence as we are often the first to be demeaned and marginalized. In the music media often the tone is dismissive or condescending in some way..I’m not sure that has changed over the years unfortunately.
I love beauty and fashion and it’s a part of who I am and I’m proud of that – however it’s always been a dilemma at the same time, a double edged sword in a way because the substance is often overlooked — I continue to navigate this all these decades later.
Discovering all sorts of gems trying to organize the vast press clippings in my archives. I’m fortunate to have hits in other countries like the U.K. though I rarely get over there going back to my early releases in the 80’s and 90’s on the Official Charts, and later on their Dance and Soul Charts.
“Precious Love” Review by Kevin Aston – showing some love for the remix by Soul II Soul’s keyboard wiz Simon Law – this is one of my favorite remixes in the ongoing catalog!
