Tag Archives: Jody Watley News

Jody Watley Celebrates 38 Years Of Multi Platinum Solo Debut

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JODY WATLEY self-titled solo debut album was released on February 23, 1987.

“It was her debut album, released by MCA Records although she had minor success in former group Shalamar, the impact of this album made Watley a cultural style icon in contemporary R&B, pop and dance music. 

Its success culminated in Watley winning a GRAMMY Award for Best New Artist in 1988. 

Jody Watley – Best New Artist 1988

The album also produced 3 iconic Top Ten singles on the US Billboard Hot 100 : “Looking for a New Love” (#2), “Don’t You Want Me” (#6) and “Some Kind of Lover” (#10), what’s more there were additional chart hit R&B and Dance “Still A Thrill” #8 Hot Dance Club Play #3 Hot R&B Hip/Hop, #56 Hot 100 & “Most Of All“ #11 R&B, #8 Hot Dance Club Play, #60 Hot 100

3 #1 Dance Singles “Looking For A New Love”, “Don’t You Want Me”, “Some Kind Of Lover”, #1 R&B Single “Looking For A New Love.”

Additionally, the album also features a duet with superstar George Michael “Learn To Say No”, in fact, she is one of only a handful of women and artists Michael recorded with.

Lastly, the Jody Watley solo debut album has now sold three million copies in the United States. Over four million copies have been sold to date worldwide. Watley co-wrote 6 of the 9 songs. Production by Andre Cymone & David Z., Bernard Edwards (CHIC, Robert Palmer & Power Station) and Patrick Leonard. 

In addition, T-Boz from mega group TLC cites Jody Watley’s vocals on “Still A Thrill” as an influence on her finding her identity and singing in a lower register. The breakout single “Looking For A New Love” with it’s catchphrase “Hasta La Vista Ba-By” became a pop culture phenomenon after later being used by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1991’s “Terminator – Judgement Day.”

The album came in 3 hues, black & white, purple and blue.

Hear Jody Watley’s thoughts on the 38th anniversary. Share your favorites from this debut and memories of your life in 1987-88 from this release on the Youtube channel video: Here

Learn more about 80s, 90s, 2000’s – present: Jody Watley Music Discography

Jody Watley In Celebration of Motown Legend Smokey Robinson

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Jody Watley has always mentioned the influence of Motown Records and so many great artists on the label from Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and beyond. Legend Smokey Robinson is one of those she has always admired. Smokey Robinson’s musical legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of American music, and his influence continues to inspire generations of artists.

“Smokey Robinson is one of the greatest songwriters of all time. On his 85th birthday, I want to send out the best wishes to him on this milestone. So many of his songs are a part of the soundtrack of my life, Growing up listening to those songs was such an inspiration for me to one day grow up to be an artist, songwriter and beyond myself.

I had the honor of meeting as well as being on a panel with Smokey Robinson back in 2010 at The Grammy Museum Celebrating The Hippest Trip In America: Soul Train 40th Anniversary- it was a surreal experience.

Jody Watley. Smokey Robinson. Grammy Museum 2010.
Smokey Robinson, Jody Watley, Don Cornelius

Happy Birthday Smokey!

Jody Watley Songs Deep in The Category Of Love

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Valentine’s Day is one holiday set aside in the calendar but for Jody Watley it’s year round. Encouraging followers on social media to encourage practicing ove every day including practicing self-love and more love into the world in these unpredictable times.

Sharing a classic photo from her groundbreaking hit “Friends” featuring Eric B & Rakim, Jody Watley shared her choice of her first tattoo – “I chose cupid, a cherub because love is what I’m all about and I knew getting this angel of love is something I’d never regret. A year later I added the word LOVE beneath it.

Engaging the fans, Watley asked to hear thoughts about favorite Jody Watley LOVE songs. If you missed out, you can share in the comments on the video posted on the Official Youtube Channel- Here

Celebrating 5 Years of Jody Watley “Winter Nights” EP

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“The legendary Jody Watley has blessed our ears with another dynamic dose of sophisticated soul in the form of her new Winter Nights EP.  Comprised of three core tracks—each given the remix sheen by her frequent collaborator Alex Di Ciò—and bookended by piano-driven “Winter Nights” instrumentals, Watley accurately describes the song set as “perfect for cozy winter nights to warm you up.” – Albumism

Jody Watley “Winter Nights” EP Turns 5 Years Old. Released on February 7, 2020 just before the pandemic and subsequent lockdown. It seems the world hasn’t been the same since. It’s always a comfort to have music to bring warmth to life, that’s what “Winter Nights” represents in many ways.

The EP was an instant favorite on UK Soul Radio vaulting to the #2 spot on the chart and Number 1 on various stations around the territory.

Devoted fans flocked to purchase the Exclusive Limited Edition CD Digipaks sold out via the online boutique. Nothing like a physical copy for your collection.

Watch the video trailer : Here

Stream or download the “Winter Nights” EP at the streaming platform of your choice. Your support is appreciated.

About the Artist:

Jody Watley is a GRAMMY award winning multi-platinum singer/songwriter/record producer/entrepreneur. Some of her iconic Top 10 singles include “Looking For A New Love” “Don’t You Want Me” the groundbreaking “Friends” ft. Eric B & Rakim, and “Real Love”. 

With a diverse music discography spanning R&B / Pop / Dance /Hip Hop / Electronic / Jazz / Adult Contemporary 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, 20s Jody Watley is recognized as a style icon and one of the architects of 21st century Pop/R&B/Dance music merged with street style mixed with high fashion.

Jody Watley was 2017 recipient of the Black Music Honors ‘Crossover Music Icon’ Award for her early cultural influence and impact as a solo artist; other accolades include 2007 Billboard Dance Lifetime Achievement Award, along with nominations from the American Music Awards, MTV Awards, NAACP Awards and Soul Train Awards.

In 2018 Billboard Magazine included Jody Watley in the Top 60 Hot 100 Female Artists Of All Time and Top 25 Top Female Dance Artists Of All Time. A 2022 Inductee into the Women’s Songwriters Hall of Fame, Watley has also been recognized by performing rights organization BMI (Broadcast Music). “I’m really most proud to have songwriter and producer be a part of my resume and legacy as an artist.”

To learn more: Jody Watley Bio

Jody Watley: Navigating Peace in Turbulent Times

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Jody Watley. Photo courtesy of Avid Music All Rights reserved 2025.

Jody Watley, born January 30. Aquarius Season is January 20-February 18. I wish all born under this special astrological sign as I am, another happy rotation around the sun.

In these challenging and somewhat turbulent vitriolic times, it’s encouraged to protect your personal peace and space. These are unprecedented times right now. Stay informed but don’t over consume daily reports of doom, division, consider it an act of self-care. Do what you can do to be prepared. Manage what you can actually be in control of on a daily basis. Practice kindness and empathy for others, there’s too much hate going around.

Thanks so much to all subscribers of the website newsletter. The major platforms are full of fake pages, profiles with rhetoric designed to promote misinformation. Fact checking has been removed (as if it were ever really effective which isn’t just politics – it impacts artist profiles as well). Comment sections, if your page is actually seen anymore – are full of paid bots and people designed for the algorithms to engage you in what they want you to see. It’s called engagement farming to create of discourse with negative comments and/or mindless agreement of false information. I encourage you to be diligent and discerning of content.

This deception will only get worse with A.I. designed to further integrate fake profiles and information. An artist website is one of the remaining tools where you can actually follow and stay updated if you’re interested and it’s not at the mercy of these corporations and their intentions or people who just mindlessly scroll, like without reading comprehension nor discernment.

Though the Jody Watley social media pages remain active, we are reevaluating the frequency.

In addition to the site newsletter, be sure to subscribe to the Jody Watley YouTube Channel as well for additional content in video from be it archives or new uploads.

Love to all and always do what feels best and right for you.

Jody Watley – Helping Families Affected by Eaton Wildfire

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Jody Watley compelled to spread awareness specifically Eaton Wildfire that isn’t receiving as much coverage in the midst of the devastating California Wildfires.

Encouraging empathy, compassion, support and donations for the working class diverse every day people, the elderly, single Moms, families, small businesses, schools and beyond in Altadena & Pasadena Families & Animal Shelters in need. Watch the video on the Jody Watley Youtube Channel – Here

Prayers go out to all who have been impacted by this.

Jody Watley New Year’s Well Wishes 2025

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A special 2025 New Year’s Greeting from Jody Watley.

All Photo Rights Reserved 2025, Jody Watley, Avitone Recordings.

Wishing you all the best of 2025 in whatever you choose to do, to triumph over obstacles, disappointments on the journey of life, to great health, joy, happiness, peace of mind, love and unexpected blessings and beyond. Thanks so much to all subscribers, and those who continue to support the music and endeavors of Jody Watley. If you missed the Best Of shared on social media, be sure to check some highlights on the Youtube Channel. Watch – Here

Remember to always let your light shine even through the darkness.  Much Love!

Explore Jody Watley’s Genre-Defying Discography

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Jody Watley has an eclectic genre defying discography spanning decades 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, 20s. The Grammy winning artist shares insights on the significance of The Saturday Night Experience with Jody Watley album on the Official Jody Watley Youtube Channel.

The Saturday Night Experience with Jody Watley was originally released exclusively to Japan in partnership through her Avitone Recordings imprint and Universal Victor (a subsidiary of Universal Music Group).

The Saturday Night Experience with Jody Watley Vol. 1
Jody Watley. 1999. Mood. The Saturday Night Experience. Happy 25th Anniversary.

Watch the video now on Youtube. Here

Be sure to Subscribe to not miss other upcoming exclusive content on the channel.

Jody Watley IN Magazine: A Fashion and Music Icon Unveiled

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Jody Watley opens up on disrupting and diversifying the dance floor and the fashion world for more than four decades…in the cover story for Canada’s IN Magazine’s November / December 2024 Issue “An Everlasting Icon”

Few singer-songwriters have been able to bridge the worlds of fashion and pop music in the way 65-year-old Jody Watley has. In the four decades she’s been recording, writing, singing, producing and performing, Watley’s Watley’s body of work has shaken zeitgeists, broken new ground and allowed us to understand the importance of understatement. Her upper hand is letting fierceness and coolness live together in harmony and verse. Any time Watley premieres a new song – such as her recently released “Everlasting” – she’s able to redefine our notions of what a diva means with her refined yet nonchalant vibe..

A Must Read! Check out the the full feature on Canada’s IN Magazine : Here

Jody Watley’s Iconic Remix Album: YOU WANNA DANCE WITH ME?

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The Jody Watley remix album YOU WANNA DANCE WITH ME? assembled remixes from the self-titled debut and the sophomore Larger Than Life was released October 26, 1989.

Photography by Steven Meisel. Art Direction Lynn Robb and Jody Watley

Remix albums were not a popular thing back in the 80s but were gaining traction as artists like Madonna (You Can Dance!), Bobby Brown (Dance!…Ya Know It!), Janet Jackson (Janet Remixed, 1995), and Paula Abdul released sets that catered to their dance loving fans. 

Fans express there isn’t a single skip in the track listing and contains five of her six Billboard Top 10 HOT 100 Hits. The ballad “Everything”, another Top 10 multi chart hit, was not remixed for inclusion. The album was a continuous energetic mix.

YOU WANNA DANCE WITH ME? from the vast Jody Watley Discography peaked at number eighty six on the Billboard 200 album chart and forty eight on the Top R&B Albums chart. Watley took to social media to note she disagreed with MCA Records decision to release the remix album while still promoting her second album “Larger Than Life” still churning out hit singles such as “Real Love” “Friends” featuring Eric B & Rakim and “Everything.”

“I wish they’d released it between my second album and “Affairs of The Heart, but labels do what they do. For me it competed in sales with two albums out at the same time, time flies though and it’s another wonderful music anniversary and milestone – Happy 35th YOU WANNA DANCE WITH ME?!”

Multi-Platinum GRAMMY winning artist, songwriter, producer Jody Watley has an ongoing catalog spanning decades ranging from R&B, Pop, Dance, Rap/Hip Hop, Jazz, Adult Contemporary, House Music, Drum & Bass, Electronica, Ambient/Chill, Contemporary R&B/ Nu Disco/Club, Modern Funk – 80’s, 90’s, 00’s, 10’s, and 20’s.

Beyond her impressive discography, the Chicago native is recognized as a style icon (with features in American Vogue, Vogue Italia, Harper’s Bazaar, Rolling Stone, Essence Magazine, People Magazine and more) as well as one of the architects of 21st century Pop/R&B/Dance music merged with style and artist branding. Ranking consistently in Billboard lists as one of the Top 60 Hot 100 Female Artists of All Time, Top 25 Dance Artists of All Time, Top 100 Black Solo Artists Of All Time.

Stream YOU WANNA DANCE WITH ME? at the digital music platforms of your choice including Spotify with other Jody Watley releases.

Subscribe to the Official Jody Watley Youtube Channel to check out a new video of Jody Watley speaking on the release.