Jody Watley’s “Friends” – A Genre Bending Milestone

Posted on April 16, 2025 by Admin

April 15, 1989 “Friends” by GRAMMY winner Jody Watley ft. Eric B and Rakim was released. A groundbreaking R&B/Rap/Pop/Dance collaboration. “Friends” made history as the first pairing to hit the Top 10 on multiple charts. It reached #3 R&B, #7 Dance, and most notably, #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. This monumental event paved the way for future genre-blending hit crossover hits. This monumental event in R&B/Rap collaboration history has largely gone overlooked decades after the fact.

Nowadays, Rap and R&B go hand in hand-in-hand. But this wasn’t always the case. Let’s go back to the late 80’s. At that time, rappers and R&B/Pop singers never collaborated. Check out the origins: Ten Songs That Kicked Off R&B Rap Collaborations.

Sources:

Dart Adams, (2018) OkayPlayer, “Ten Songs That Kicked Off R&B Rap Collaborations”

Mickey Hess, (2007) “Icons of Hip Hop: Sn Encyclopedia of The Movement, Music, Culture Vol. 1 (Jody Watley, Eric B. & Rakim “Friends” page 154, Greenwood Press

William Jelani (2007) To The Break Of Dawn: A Freestyle on The Hip-Hop Aesthetic; Jody Watley, Eric B & Rakim, “Friends” page 142, NYU Press

Stream this timeless Jody Watley ft Eric B. & Rakim classic; add to your playlists via streaming platforms of your choice.

Jody Watley born on January 30 in Chicago, Illinois is a GRAMMY-winning, multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer and style icon whose impact spans decades. Named Best New Artist in 1988—only the third Black artist to receive the honor at the time—she’s one of Billboard’s Top 60 Female Artists of All Time.

With 6 Top 10 Hot 100 hits (including “Looking for a New Love” and “Friends” ft. Eric B. & Rakim), 7 No. 1 Dance singles, and genre-defying work across multiple decades from R&B, Pop, Dance, Electronica, Jazz, and more, Watley continues to break boundaries.

Her music legacy is active and evolving—most recently with her 2024 release “Everlasting” and remixes heating up dance floors now. From MTV to underground clubs, from the charts to her own label, she remains a trendsetter and trailblazer.

OTD. March 21, 1992 – Jody Watley “I’m The One You Need” Debuts On Billboard Dance Chart

Posted on March 21, 2022 by Admin

#OTD March 21, 1992

“I’m The One You Need”

I love this mix!

Jody Watley – I’m The One You Need

Debuted on the Billboard Dance chart. It peaked at #3

The house music single would reach #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at #23 R&B

Written by: Jody Watley, David Morales, Alec Shantzis

The 2nd Hit single from Jody’s 3rd Album “Affairs Of The Heart.”

Happy Anniversary ‘Everything’ – January 20.

Posted on January 21, 2021 by Admin

In the excitement of Inauguration Day 2021, I forgot to post this as Happy Anniversary to “Everything” from my second album “Larger Than Life.” I’ve blogged previously that January has always seemed to be a great month for my music – and it’s my birth month as well.

I love performing this song live in concert, full version or unplugged it’s always a heartfelt part of my show and emotional fan favorite.

“Everything”

Peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart! My 6th Top 10 Hot 100 Single as a solo artist.

Written by: Gardner Cole, J. Newton-Howard!

*Chart History*

#3 – Hot R&B

#11 – Adult Contemporary

Official Video:

A Jody Watley January.

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Admin

January has always seemed to be a good music month for me as my birth month – and it has only been now in this time of being home during the pandemic a lot of things are hitting different. For instance – in my mind ‘Looking For A New Love‘ was a summer single when in fact it was released January 6, 1987. MCA had begun the campaign for my solo debut in the summer and with extensive promotional tours lined up for me. I traveled extensively like a politician shaking hands, spending time with so many people; including lots of Mom and Pop stores (though they no longer really exist there was a time they played a pivotal role for black artists), pressing plants, program directors meet and greets across the states.. the list is vast of all the the work put in before the single was even released. This is the part of the business that isn’t seen of what the business was at that time anyway.

A lot of planning and effort and definitely all the stars of the universe being aligned too! The summer, and fall of the work is probably why I think of summer because that is what the journey is always about — the subsequent success or destination isn’t what you really remember.

Always do the work – focus on the work.

From there this month over the years has also seen benchmarks with my singles “Your Love Keeps Working On Me” peaking at 2 and my makeover dance mixes of “Borderline” reaching the 2 spot on Billboard dance January 13, 2007 respectively. There are probably others but for the purpose of this quick blog – these stand out.

I just wanted to say how grateful I am…also today in Los Angeles mid January – it was 88 gorgeous degrees.

Wattage!