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Jody Watley: A Legacy Of Sound, A Vibe That Endures
Tag Archives: Jody Watley News
Jody Watley Takes Control Of Her Own Destiny With New Label Avitone
June 1995
A feature from the archives of Billboard Magazine, 1995.
“Watley Takes Control Of Her Own Destiny”
Jody Watley launched Avitone Records to release her own music, beginning with the album “Affection” (July 11, 1995). The debut single made waves at R&B radio while the album, co-written & produced by Watley and Derrick Edmonson, blended uptempo grooves with soulful intimacy and live instrumentation. Affection was manufactured, marketed and distributed by Bellmark owned by music veteran Al Bell. Al Bell is an American record producer, songwriter, and record executive. He is best known as having been an executive and co-owner of Stax Records Al Bell is an American record producer, songwriter, and record executive.
He is best known as having been an executive and co-owner of Stax Records. He later started his own label, Bellmark, whose releases included Tag Team’s single “Whoomp! (There It Is)” (1993) and Prince (1994 single) The Most Beautiful Girl In The World for Prince’s NPG label.
“I’m an artist who likes to keep changing and developing. It was time to take another chance.” – Jody Watley
By year’s end, Billboard named:
#7 Top Indie R&B Label – Avitone
#8 Top Indie R&B Single – Affection
Do it yourself. Believe in your vision.
Fast forward 3 decades, we celebrate the milestone with Jody Watley – “LET’S DANCE Vol. 1 (Hit Them Beats)”
The album vaulted to #1 iTunes US Dance Albums 7.11.25 and #1 Amazon Music U.K. Top Dance Electronic Albums. Let’s Dance becomes Jody Watley’s third #1 independent album release following “The Makeover” in 2006 and “Midnight Lounge” 2003 Top Dance Electronic Albums iTunes.
Let’s Dance Vol. 1 is a nonstop dance extravaganza featuring mixes by Craig C. Quentin Harris, Josh Peace, Mark de Clive-Lowe, John “J-C” Carr, Morgan Page, Love To Infinity, Jodie Harsh, Alex Di Ciò, Ron Trent, Brian Power.
Celebrate 30 years of Jody Watley’s Avitone Recordings label with “LET’S DANCE Vol. 1 (Hit Them Beats)” — a sizzling new album of indie dance gems, remastered Avitone club classics and chart-topping faves.
Available for streaming and download on all major digital platforms worldwide.
Feel free to Support | Download | Stream | Like | Share | Add to your Playlist.
About The Artist:
Jody Watley is a GRAMMY-winning, multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer and style icon. Named Best New Artist in 1988, she’s one of Billboard’s Top 60 Female Artists of All Time, with 6 Top 10 Hot 100 hits, 13 No. 1 Dance singles, and genre-spanning success across R&B, Pop, Dance, and Jazz. A visionary in music and fashion,
Watley helped pave the way for Black women to break boundaries. Honored as a Crossover Music Icon by Black Music Honors, her influence continues—decades strong.
Jody Watley – LET’S DANCE Vol. 1 Hits Top Charts
OUT NOW!
Jody Watley LET’S DANCE Vol.1 (Hit Them Beats) VAULTS to Top of the iTunes and Amazon Music Top Dance Electronic Albums Charts.
After 8 successful albums and singles at MCA 1987-1994 (4 full lengths, gold and platinum albums, 2 remix albums, 2 Greatest Hits Collections) Grammy artist Jody Watley in 1995 started Avitone Recordings as the vessel to release her music independently.
LET’S DANCE Vol. 1 Hit Them Beats is a celebration!
▪️A new club-fueled compilation celebrating 30 years (!) of Remastered Club Classics, Top 10, #1’s and chart-topping faves of indie dance gems and collaborations released on Jody’s Avitone label.🎉🪩
▪️Vol. 1 features Craig C. Quentin Harris, Josh Peace, Mark de Clive-Lowe, John “J-C” Carr, Morgan Page, Love To Infinity, Jodie Harsh, Alex Di Ciò, Ron Trent, Brian Power
A&R: Jody Watley Bill Coleman & Angelo Pepe Skordos for Avitone Recordings & Peace Bisquit
🎧 Download • Stream • Playlist • Share – Upgrade Your Summer Music Playlist
#JodyWatley #LetsDance
Jody Watley is a GRAMMY-winning, multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer and style icon. Named Best New Artist in 1988, she’s one of Billboard’s Top 60 Female Artists of All Time, with 6 Top 10 Hot 100 hits, 13 No. 1 Dance singles, and genre-spanning success across R&B, Pop, Dance, and Jazz. A visionary in music and fashion, Watley helped pave the way for Black women to break boundaries. Honored as a Crossover Music Icon by Black Music Honors, her influence continues—decades strong.
Jody Watley – Let’s Dance Vol. 1 Now Number 1 on iTunes U.S. Dance Albums
Jody Watley – “LET’S DANCE Vol. 1 (Hit Them Beats)”
Currently Number 1 on iTunes U.S. Dance Albums!!!
Celebrating 3 decades of quality independently released music via Avitone!
LET’S DANCE Vol.1 Hit Them Beats becomes Jody Watley’s third Number 1 Album on Avitone & 4th overall as a solo artist!
After 8 successful albums and singles at MCA 1987-1994 (4 full lengths, gold and platinum albums, 2 remix albums, 2 Greatest Hits Collections) Grammy artist Jody Watley in 1995 started Avitone Recordings as the vessel to release her music independently.
LET’S DANCE Vol. 1 Hit Them Beats is a celebration!
▪️A new club-fueled compilation celebrating 30 years (!) of Remastered Club Classics, Top 10, #1’s and chart-topping faves of indie dance gems and collaborations released on Jody’s Avitone label.🎉🪩
▪️Vol. 1 features Craig C. Quentin Harris, Josh Peace, Mark de Clive-Lowe, John “J-C” Carr, Morgan Page, Love To Infinity, Jodie Harsh, Alex Di Ciò, Ron Trent, Brian Power
Download | Stream | Playlist | Share
Be Uplifted. Just Push Play!
Jody Watley – New Dance Album Is HERE!
Jody Watley – LET’S DANCE Vol. 1 (Hit Them Beats!) Currently #3 on U.S. iTunes Dance Albums!
Celebrating 30 years of Avitone with a non-stop dance party of remastered club classics, #1s, and indie bangers. No skips – just vibes. 🩷🩵💃🏽
Download | Stream | Playlist | Share | iTunes | Amazon Music | Apple Music | Spotify
Jody Watley is a GRAMMY-winning, multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer and style icon. Named Best New Artist in 1988, she’s one of Billboard’s Top 60 Female Artists of All Time, with 6 Top 10 Hot 100 hits, 13 No. 1 Dance singles, and genre-spanning success across R&B, Pop, Dance, and Jazz. A visionary in music and fashion, Watley helped pave the way for Black women to break boundaries. Honored as a Crossover Music Icon by Black Music Honors, her influence continues—decades strong.
Celebrate Jody Watley’s 30 Years of Independent Music Innovation
Long before “independent artist” was a trend, Jody Watley was already setting the blueprint. Over three decades strong doing it HER way, after a chart-topping era on MCA, she started Avitone as a vehicle for her music in 1995. She’s been pushing boundaries since that time with numerous critically acclaimed, chart topping releases and dance-floor favorites.
A Legacy of Sound. A Vibe That Endures.
Celebrate 30 years of Jody Watley’s Avitone label with “LET’S DANCE Vol. 1 (Hit Them Beats)” — a sizzling new album of indie dance gems, Avitone club classics, and chart-topping faves.
Available July 9 on all digital platforms!
Download • Stream • Playlist • Share
A&R: Jody Watley, Bill Coleman (Peace Bisquit), Angelo “Pepe” Skordos
Art Design: Shawn West & Jody Watley
Jody Watley is a GRAMMY-winning, multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer and style icon. Named Best New Artist in 1988, she’s one of Billboard’s Top 60 Female Artists of All Time, with 6 Top 10 Hot 100 hits, 13 No. 1 Dance singles, and genre-spanning success across R&B, Pop, Dance, and Jazz. A visionary in music and fashion, Watley helped pave the way for Black women to break boundaries. Honored as a Crossover Music Icon by Black Music Honors, her influence continues—decades strong. To lear more : Jody Watley Bio
Jody Watley’s Summer Wishes and Music Updates
As we enter a new summer season, Jody Watley extends well wishes to everyone. With so much going on, especially in LA please be safe, cool and informed.
Watch the NEW video upload here and other recent uploads including a rare video interview from 1987. Jody Watley talks with Richard Blade about the moment she first heard “Looking for a New Love” on the radio — and the creative vision behind her iconic debut video. A true original, then and now.
Be sure to subscribe and stay tuned for a new music release announcement celebrating 3 decades of being independent via Avitone coming soon.
30 Years of Avitone: The Evolution of Jody Watley
30 YEARS OF AVITONE. STILL SETTING THE VIBE.
Jody Watley is celebrating 30 years of her independent label Avitone, the vehicle to release her music. “Midnight Lounge” released in 2003 is one of many notable releases. 3rd album for the label following 1995’s Affection, 2000’s Saturday Night Experience Vol. 1 which ushered in the new millennium and a new artistic era for Watley.
#1 iTunes Electronic Album.
Critically Acclaimed.
Soulful. Sleek. Ahead of its time, Written and Produced by Jody Watley, Rodney Lee and Ron Trent.
✨“Best album of her career.” – Blues & Soul UK
✨“Smooth house vibes, a delightful soulful surprise.” – URB
✨“A brave record… classy & cool.” – AP / Washington Post
💫Independently iconic. Forever evolving.
Revisit | Discover this Jody Watley Classic Independent Release and Avitone 30the anniversary milestone. The album and other Avitone releases are streaming at platforms of your choice and help celebrate this album and the boldly independent artist, writer and producer continued evolution.
Jody Watley: The Trendsetter Behind the Handheld Fan Craze
Before it was a trend and popular viral accessory, Jody Watley made the handheld fans iconic.
In the late 70s, teen Jody Watley lit up Soul Train and discos with her bold fashion, signature dance style. In fact, long before they became a viral accessory and incorporated into concerts by artists onstage-Jody Watley was making a statement.
With her ever-evolving fashion, fearless hairstyles, and signature use of fans in dance routines, Watley influenced a generation.
As Ebony Magazine once wrote:
“It’s not uncommon to see young women dancing the night away with fans whirring to the disco beat… another of Jody’s innovations.”
Nelson George wrote : ~Nelson George “The Hippest Trip In America – Soul Train and the evolution of culture and style – William Morrow Imprint of Harper Collins Books
“..with Jody emerging as a late 70’s style icon. She could rock silver shorts and red glitter converse sneakers, vintage 1940’s inspired dresses with pumps or her prom dress. Her hair was an ongoing adventure, sometimes filled with tons of ribbons, sometimes long ponytails, or a 1940’s hairdo..”
From silver shorts to prom dresses, from long ponytails to vintage glam, Watley was the moment—decades before social media.
Now, as the fan dance craze returns in songs like “Boots On The Ground,” it’s time to give credit where it’s long overdue the origins in black culture of which Watley was at the core.
She reintroduced the fans in 2014 with the release of her “Nightlife” single from the “PARADISE” EP a contemporary nod to disco and dance. The oversized custom painted fans were and continue to be emblazoned with her name, and other associated terms like “Wattage”
Watch this tribute on Official Jody Watley Youtube Channel – Here to a timeless icon and dance pioneer, turned Grammy winning artist, writer producer and style icon.
Exploring Jody Watley’s ‘Larger Than Life’ Album Hits and Legacy
May 20, 1989
Jody Watley’s “Larger Than Life” peaks at #16 on the Billboard 200.
A platinum-certified follow-up to her GRAMMY-winning debut as Best New Artist, cemented her legacy as a music, fashion & artistic visionary, and continued to broadened her scope as songwriter, co-writing 11 of the albums songs.
Hits:
• “Real Love” Certified Gold – #2 Hot 100 | #1 R&B | #1 Dance – 6 MTV Award Nominations
• “Friends” ft. Eric B. & Rakim – A pioneering R&B/hip-hop collab permanently changing the landscape of popular music and crossover Rap/Sung Collaborations with full verses reaching the Top 10 on multiple charts.
#9 Hot 100, #3 R&B, #7 Dance
• “Everything” – #4 Hot 100 | #3 R&B | #11 Adult Contemporary
Stream / Download Anytime At Digital Music Platform of Your Choice!
Tracklist:
Real Love
Friends (ft. Eric B & Rakim)
Everything
What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me
L.O.V.E.R
For Love’s Sake
Lifestyle
Precious Love
Something New
Once You Leave
Come Into My Life
Only You
Real Love (Extended Version)
#singer #songwriter #popmusic #styleicon #popculture #producer #jodywatleydaily #dancemusic #rnb #grammywinner #explorepage #visionary