A Jody Watley Hot 100 History Making Single Talking About Your Friends

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 Collaborations

OkayPlayer “What Were The First R&B / Rap Collaborations”

Happy Birthday Rakim.

Rakim The God MC
This was awesome- surprising Rakim at his book signing here in LA. 2019
Jody Watley w Eric B & Rakim – Virtual performance 2020
Jody Watley & Rakim on location in NYC “Off The Hook” video 1998 (Flower album)
Jody Watley ft Eric B & Rakim “Friends” the groundbreaking multiple format crossover Top 10 Single. Rap/Sung :: R&B, Pop, Rap/Hip-Hop, Dance Top 10 – the first.

Not just one of the greatest MC’s of all time, but a humble down to earth guy that I’m proud to have this connection.

2019
1989 – Friends with Eric B & Rakim… this hit is the blueprint for all crossover features to this day.
1998 Jody Watley & Rakim ‘Off The Hook’ D-Dot Remix

“Friends” peaked at number three on the Hot Black Singles chart in July 1989, but the big news is it managed to do what no previous R&B/Rap collaboration had done before: crossover to the Hot 100 charts. “Friends” reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1989. ” – Okayplayer