Producer / Songwriter / Musician / Artist Andre Cymone Grammy Winning Music Icon Jody Watley – Gospel Royalty Keyondra Lockett accepting on Jody Watley’s behalfJody Watley – Inductee Women Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee Award
Inducted into Women Songwriters Hall Of Fame last night, though I couldn’t attend due tobeing under the weather it means the world to be recognized as a songwriter and knowing I’ve written many that are a part of the sound of peoples lives, crafting hooks that you can sing along to, and stories that resonate or have meaningful intent. Gospel royalty Keyondra Lockett accepted on my behalf after a rousing tribute performance of “It All Begins With You.”
“The Jody Watley songwriting catalog dates back to her Shalamar days co-writing songs like penning lyrics and melodies to (Full of Fire, Work It Out, Help Me, Playing To Win) and most significantly into her esteemed Grammy winning Solo career of blockbuster classics like (Looking For A New Love, Don’t You Want Me, Real Love, Friends to name a few and countless other gems in an ongoing career with over 100 songwriting credits to her name), that also includes the poignant “16” recorded by Destiny’s Child. Jody Watley received the BMI songwriter award “Medal Of Honor” in 1993 for over a million plays of songs in her songwriting catalog.”
Billboard Charts #3 Hot R&B, #8 Dance, #56 Hot 100
The first artist or entity allowed to film a music video in the Paris Opera House, thank you to director Brian Grant.
“I wanted to showcase my power register in the vocal range, initially a concept to present to Grace Jones as a possible duet that didn’t come to fruition. Andre slayed this groove and then I came up with the title, theme melody and lyrics, it was magic and an instant if not underrated funk jam. It was a hit but faltered somewhat on the pop side because it was so different from ‘Looking For A N ew Love’. It was important to me at this time to showcase as well that black girls could be different, edgy, and international.I loved those Duran Duran videos shot on location.
The theme of the video was ‘Paris By Night, it always makes me smile when people tell me they have made it a point to travel to Paris and go to the Opera House and take photo’s on the grand entrance staircase. There is no choreography or choreographer to show me what to do, no stylist to tell me what was cool to wear. All the dancing is freestyle and created in the moment with Tyrone Proctor who I’d known from my Soul Train days as a teenager. Another fact that distinguishes me from other artists at that time – no team of dancers, high style and singular focus. I didn’t want to be like anyone else and was clear of my vision of who I am.”
Watch Jody Watley ‘Still A Thrill” Full Video on Youtube: Here
Hear thoughts on collaborator & producer Andre Cymone:
“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.”
Jody Watley and Andre Cymone collaborated as songwriters on 4 albums including her breakthrough Grammy winning solo debut with Andre on production on many of the songs including singles – “Looking For A New Love” (released January 6, 1987) “Still A Thrill” “Some Kind Of Lover” “Real Love” “Everything” “Friends” I Want You” “Precious Love”. The eponymous self-titled debut “JODY WATLEY” went multi-platinum around the world, spawned several must-chart Top Ten Hits and Number 1’s, and nominations for American Music Awards, Soul Train and NAACP in fields dominated by King of Pop Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston in many instances.
Jody Watley’s style influence remains everlasting, as does her music and unabashed determination and desire to keep her authenticity to who she is as an artist, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur. On the evening of her 35th Solo Debut Anniversary Concert January 28, 2022 and two days before her birthday January 30, Andre Cymone shares a few thoughts on the woman, music, influence and the legacy of Jody Watley. For more on Andre Cymone visit: https://andrecymone.com
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. Watley’s 90-minute set did not disappoint! She delivered a high-energy performance from beginning to end. To the surprise of the audience, she introduced musician, songwriter, and producer Andre Cymone who joined Watley for the first time onstage in celebration of her 35th Anniversary Solo Debut Concert.
In the show, Watley said, “It’s a historical night.” 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, I Want You on their work together over 4 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 also recorded a message for the Grammy winner, while also giving respect and praise for her influence on other female artists. The former couple was also married.
They divorced in 1994 and have one son together, Arie. Andre Cymone has since remarried. Their son Arie was in attendance along with daughter Lauren along with Andre’s wife Katherine to join 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 for 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. – Eurweb.
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. In the show, Watley said, “It’s a historical night.”
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.
The former couple was also married, divorcing in 1994 and have one son together, Arie. Andre Cymone has since remarried. Their son Arie was in attendance, and daughter Lauren and 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
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. Watley’s 90-minute set did not disappoint! She delivered a high-energy performance from beginning to end.
To the surprise of the audience, she introduced musician, songwriter, and producer Andre Cymone who joined Watley for the first time onstage in celebration of her 35th Anniversary Solo Debut Concert. In the show, Watley said, “It’s a historical night.”
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, I Want You on their work together over 4 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 also recorded a message for the Grammy winner, while also giving respect and praise for her influence on other female artists. The former couple was also married. They divorced in 1994 and have one son together, Arie. Andre Cymone has since remarried. Their son Arie was in attendance along with daughter Lauren along with Andre’s wife Katherine to join 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 for 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.
