Thirty-five years ago, Jody Watley’s debut album kickstarted the career of one of dance-pop’s most entertaining and consistent performers.
In the mid-1980s, MTV largely defined pop music, so the charts were ruled by telegenic singers who often acted as spokesmodels for their albums. So the charts were ruled by telegenic singers who often acted as spokesmodels for their albums. Dance hits were churned out like products on an assembly line, many quickly forgotten after their fleeting moments in the spotlight. But there were also real stars who made their mark (primarily due to a combination of charm, talent, and charisma).
One of the most significant figures to emerge from this period was Jody Watley, who inarguably announced her reign as a dance-pop queen with 1987’s self-titled first record. Her smokey yet supple voice, unerring pop instincts, and supermodel looks made her the perfect pop star, and Jody Watley was a fantastic introduction to .. Read full feature on PopMatters
“Jody Watley”, the eponymous multi platinum debut studio album by Jody Watley was released today February 23 in 1987.
The albums’ success culminated in Watley winning a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1988 and featured 3 Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 Singles (Looking For A New Love, Don’t You Want Me, Some Kind Of Lover) all co-written by Watley and #1’s in R&B/ Dance, amongst other notable benchmarks including a duet with Pop Superstar George Michael for the breakthrough breakout debut many consider to be one of the best debut albums of all time.
Happy 35th Anniversary Jody Watley and Here’s to the celebration of the sustained longevity and continued solo success through the decades.
Here’s another highlight moment from the Jody Watley 35th Solo Debut Anniversary Concert. There is nothing like a Jody Watley Concert Experience. Soulful, funky, spontaneous, hits, deep grooves, jams – and always inspirational.
“Her music and incomparable style is pure and stands the test of time still today, 35 years later.”
When asked if he knew her debut album would reach its platinum status and beyond, Cymone responded, “Yes, I did. I knew we had something really special.” Read the full feature on:
*Singer, producer, songwriter and virtuoso guitarist Andre Cymone gives huge props to iconic singer Jody Watley.
Cymone talked about Watley’s impact and influence on female artists such as Rihanna, Beyoncé, Selena, and future generations during a sit-down interview backstage at her recent sold-out 35th-anniversary blockbuster self-titled album and birthday celebration at Sycuan Casino and Resort in San Diego.
Cymone says, “Her music and incomparable style is pure and stands the test of time still today, 35 years later.”
Via The RnB Soul Effect TV Black History Month Salutes : Grammy Award Icon Jody Watley
In 1988, she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist (as a solo artist).
Trendsetting Pioneer In Music, Video, Fashion and style,singer, songwriter, record producer, and artist, whose music crosses genres including pop, R&B, jazz, dance, and electronic soul.
“Looking for A New Love” The single hit number two for four consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1987 and spent three weeks at number-one on the Billboard R&B chart.”Hasta la vista, baby.” It wound up on innumerable answering machines and was used by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1991 film Terminator 2: Judgment Day (see Hasta la vista, baby).
“Still a Thrill,” whose video was the first (and as yet unmatched) time a pop star flexed their skills at waacking, the underground Los Angeles dance that is a sibling to both breakdancing and voguing.
“Friends” The song was one of the first ever to feature a rap artist (Eric B. & Rakim) and a singer.The successful “Friends” formula would become a mainstay formula in commercial pop music and was added as a category at the Grammy’s under Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2002.
During the summer of 1989, the “Real Love” video, directed by Hollywood director David Fincher, was nominated for seven MTV Video Music Awards including Breakthrough Video, Best Art Direction, Best Dance Video and Best Female Video at the 1989 ceremony.
In 2008, she was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from Billboard magazine, and was also prominently featured in the historic black issue of Vogue Italia in 2008.
In December 2016, Billboard ranked her as the 21st most successful dance artist of all-time. and in 2017 Black Music Honors TV special recognized Watley as Crossover Music Icon Honoree for her groundbreaking achievements and influence.
In August 2018, Billboard ranked Jody Watley as one of the top female artists of all-time, at number 53 and included in Top 25 Dance Music Female Artists of All Time.
In March 2021, Jody Watley was named the First Ambassador of the National Museum of African American Music.
As a solo artist Best New Artist Grammy Winner Jody Watley: on Billboard 6 Hot 100 Top Ten Singles, 15 Top 40 Singles, 13 #1 Dance Singles, 2 #1 R&B, 1 Top 25 Smooth Jazz Single – spanning over 3 decades and counting along with multi-platinum success, in addition to being recognized as a trendsetting style and fashion icon beyond her music.
I had a great time as guest DJ on Sirius Xm Big 80’s on 8 February 1, playing some of my favorite artists and songs. Though my music continues and spans decades of various genres – being a part of an era of music that was so much fun, full of variety from pop, dance, r&b, rock, punk, new wave.. from the music to the clothes is truly special. I appreciate SIRIUS for having me on again having guest DJ’ed on BK Kirkland’s The Groove in 2020.
If you missed it and are a subscriber, tune in February 9 at 3 PM EST, for the rebroadcast.
Jody Watley celebrated the 35th anniversary of her massive blockbuster self-titled album in true festive style coupled with a birthday balloon drop into the audience on Friday, January 28th at Sycuan Casino and Resort in San Diego.
The sold-out concert began with a standing ovation from her fans when the Grammy award-winning iconic singer appeared on stage.
To the audience’s surprise, she introduced musician, songwriter, and producer Andre Cymone who joined Watley for the first time on stage in celebration of her 35th Anniversary Solo Debut Concert.
Cymone was an early collaborator with Watley on her solo debut album, co-writing hits like Looking For A New Love. Still A Thrill, Some Kind of Lover, and subsequent hits Real Love, Friends, and I Want You are hits they created together over four albums. With sheer delight from the crowd, Cymone was well-received with continual applause from fans as he jammed with Watley and her band throughout the show.
Andre sat down for an interview and recorded this message for the Grammy winner, giving respect and praise for her influence on other female artists.
Andre’s wife Katherine joined in the festive occasion.
“The night was truly special, especially with Andre graciously accepting an invitation from me to play with my band on stage in celebration of my birthday and 35th anniversary of my solo debut album,” says the legendary singer.
As a solo artist, the ageless pop and R&B singer has 6 Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Singles, 13 Number 1 Dance Singles, 2 R&B Number 1’s, 15 Top 40 Singles, Gold and platinum albums, 2007 Billboard Dance Lifetime Achievement, 2017 recipient of the Black Music Honors Crossover Music Icon Award and nominations from the American Music Awards, MTV Awards, NAACP Awards and Soul Train Awards.
Watley is a trendsetting pioneer in music, video, fashion and style, one of the architects of 21st-century pop.
The cultural music iconic singer in Pop/Soul/R&B continues to amass chart-toppers!
She also performed the upbeat dance song, Whenever, from her latest EP release, Renderings, a special collection of Alex Di Ciò Dance/Club remixes. Alex Di Ciò is a world-renowned producer and remixer.
Congratulations, Ms. Watley!
You can follow the iconic singer on her social media @jodywatley SHEEN MAGAZINE
what a time it was to be alive and witness the brilliance of jody watley thrive at every level of pop culture. when people talk about the pop/dance divas of the 80’s and 90’s, jody watley’s legacy is often omitted, which is nothing short of criminal. jody watley is arguably one of the most influential pop/dance artists of the musical era.
born in chicago on january 30, 1959, jody was introduced to the stage by her godfather & soul music pioneer, jackie wilson. by the time she turned 17, her trendsetting fashion style and dancing made her one of the most popular dancers on the weekly TV dance show “soul train.”
by the late 1970’s and early 80’s, jody was charting hits on both sides of the pond as one third of the post-disco group, shalamar. their sound and style made them one of the most influential r&b/dance groups of the 1980’s.
after exiting the group in 1983, jody moved to london for a few years before returning to the US to slay with gurls with her 1986 monster hit, “lookin’ for a new love.” her solo debut album followed and the hits continued. she would go in to win the grammy for best new artist in 1988.
in 1990, she released her sophomore album “larger than life” which included two of the pop/dance genres most influential songs. the video for the lead single, “real love” introduced high runway fashion into the pop music esthetic. it also became one of the VMA’s most nominated videos. the follow-up single, “friends” a collaboration with hip-hop duo erik b. & rakim invented the rap/sing genre that continues to dominate contemporary pop music.
for the past 40 years, jody watley has remained one of music’s most innovative performers, writers, singers and fashion icons. in 1990, long before AIDS advocacy became the “thing” to do, she was part of one of the first global HIV/AIDS projects.
jody continues to perform all over the world and champions lgbtq rights. miss watley is a living legend who have amassed 32 top 10 singles and 13 No. 1 singles across multiple genres over the past three decades as a solo artist. all this and she never, ever had to gay bait. why? cuz miss jody was and still is THAT gurl! – Gran Varones
