Tag Archives: Looking For a New Love

From Solo Breakthrough to Blueprint: Jody Watley 1987

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A black and white portrait of a woman with long, flowing hair, posing thoughtfully while wrapped in a textured sweater. The name 'Jody Watley' is artistically written in red across the top.

OTD February 23, 1987 — A Cultural Reset in Pop & R&B

On this day, Jody Watley released her self-titled debut album, JODY WATLEY— a groundbreaking statement of independence, innovation, and style that redefined what a modern female pop & R&B artist could be.

More than a debut, this was a bold artistic rebirth.

Emerging from group success to claim her own creative vision, Watley delivered a genre-blending body of work that fused pop, R&B, dance, and fashion-forward imagery — helping shape the sound and visual language of late-’80s pop culture and the MTV era.

The album’s impact:

✨Winner of the 1987 Grammy Award for Best New Artist – Awarded in 1988

✨ 3 Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 Hits:

• “Looking for a New Love” (#2)

• “Don’t You Want Me” (#6)

• “Some Kind of Lover” (#10)

✨ 3 #1 Dance Singles

✨ 1 #1 R&B Single

✨Certified Multi-Platinum (3 million U.S. / 4+ million worldwide) #1 R&B Album / #10 Top 200 Albums

The project also featured a duet with global superstar George Michael and production from production team including André Cymone, David Z., Bernard Edwards, and Patrick Leonard.

Even more significant — Watley co-wrote 6 of the album’s 9 tracks, establishing herself not just as a performer, but as a songwriter, visionary, and architect of her own image.

At a time when few Black women in pop were granted full creative authorship and fashion autonomy, Jody Watley stood at the intersection of music, high style (blending couture, vintage, custom designs) into her own Jody Watley Style, and most importantly empowerment to “Believe In Yourself” “Be Yourself” no matter what — influencing generations to come.

This wasn’t just a successful debut.

It was a breakthrough moment in pop history.

Jody Watley’s debut wasn’t just a moment.

It was and continues to be the mindset; decades into her ongoing progressive Solo career. 

#JodyWatley #NewArtist #GrammyWinner #1987 #MusicHistory #BlackMusicExcellence #WomenInMusic #PopCultureIcon #RNB #DanceMusic

Discover. Revisit. Stream. Playlist add to decades of ongoing Jody Watley Music.

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Jody Watley New Milestone Youtube Silver Creator Award 2025

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Jody Watley is so honored to receive the YouTube Silver Creator Award, marking 100,000 subscribers on the Official Jody Watley YouTube Channel to close out 2025. 

This milestone, which also comes in the 30th anniversary year of being an independently released artist on Avitone Recordings. The newest achievement reflects the power of consistency, creative ownership, and audience engagement across music, visual storytelling, and digital platforms. 

Jody Watley smiling while holding her YouTube Silver Creator Award, celebrating 100,000 subscribers.
Jody Watley – Recipient of 2025 Silver Youtube Creator Award

Looking ahead to continued growth, innovation, and connection through content and creativity.

Watch the NEW Thank you Video: Jody Watley Youtube Channel

About the Artist:

Jody Watley is a GRAMMY award winning multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer recognized as a style icon. Winner of Best New Artist in 1988, only the third black artist in recording academy history at the time. Jody Watley is listed in Billboard as one of the Top 60 Female Artists of All Time, Top 25 Dance Artists of All Time and Top 100 Black Solo Artists Of All Time.

The recipient of Crossover Music Icon from Black Music Honors 2017, Inductee in Women Songwriters Hall of Fame, Billboard Dance Music Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award (Joe Biden), various proclamations for her contributions in women’s & artist and LGBTQ rights, with an ongoing diverse music discography spanning decades in Disco /R&B / Pop / Dance /House Music / Spoken Word/ Dance Electronic – 80s, 90s, 2000s-Present 

As a solo artist, for over four decades; the Pop and R&B singer-songwriter -producer has 6 Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Singles (Looking For A New Love, Don’t You Want Me, Friends ft. Eric B & Rakim and more), her video for the now classic hit “Real Love” remains one of the most nominated MTV VMA’s of all time, 13 Number 1 Dance Singles, 2 R&B Number 1’s, 15 Top 40 Singles, Gold and multi-platinum albums in the USA alone as a solo artist. 

Watley’s eventual fusion of jazz, and deep house music made her a long time staple in underground club culture. The ease with which she crosses genres opened the doors for greater acceptance of black women thinking outside the box in music and fashion is notable.

The versatile songstress and Chicago native was recognized by People Magazine in their 50 Most Beautiful People Issue, and appeared in breakthrough ad campaigns for GAP, Saks 5th Avenue and LA Eyeworks of many ongoing milestones in her solo career. 

Learn More: Jody Watley Bio

Jody Watley Enters Pandora’s Elite Million Streams Club

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Grammy Award Winning artist Jody Watley reached a new milestone. Pandora recognized the music legend for her blockbuster debut 1987 single “Looking For A New Love” reaching the Million Streams Club. The Grammy nominated single was written by Jody Watley and Andre Cymone, produced by Cymone and David Z and is one of the defining singles of the 80’s with Watley’s popular catch-phrase “Hasta La Vista Ba-By” later popularized again by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator Judgement Day.

“I’m very proud of this newest milestone for one of my biggest hits. Always thankful that MCA’s Jheryl Busby insisted I needed to write one more song, after turning in my debut album. “Looking For A New Love” was that song! Good music has no expiration date and the ongoing streams are a testament to this for longtime fans and new generations to come. In addition, to continue to write, record and release quality music spanning 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, 20s is a blessing.” – Jody Watley

Jody Watley is a GRAMMY award winning multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer/entrepreneur, founder of indie label Avitone. With a diverse music discography spanning R&B / Pop / Dance /Hip Hop / Electronic / Jazz / Adult Contemporary 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, 20sJody Watley is recognized as a style icon and one of the architects of 21st century Pop/R&B/Dance music, an inductee into the Women’s Songwriters Hall Of Fame, listed in Billboard as one of the Top 60 Female Artists of All Time, Top 25 Dance Artists of All Time, Top 100 Black Solo Artists Of All Time.

As a solo artist, the Pop and R&B singer-songwriter was awarded the prestigious Best New Artist GRAMMY Award in 1987, only the third black artist in the history of the recording academy and broadcast to receive that honor. 

As a Solo artist, JODY WATLEY has 6 Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Singles, 7 Number 1 Dance Singles, 2 R&B Number 1’s, 15 Top 40 Singles, Gold and multi-platinum albums in the USA alone. Her vast discography also includes million selling greatest hits video compilation and fitness video (a first for a black woman in the genre).

Her music has charted in other countries including Japan, Germany, Netherlands. In the UK, 5 Top 5 UK Soul Chart Singles, along with two Top 5 Commercial Pop / Urban singles add to her ongoing tally of hits though she says “Hits are great, though my priority is always simply writing and releasing quality music that can resonate with people in a positive way. That’s what my newest single “EVERLASTING” is about.”

Jody Watley Sensational At Sycuan Resort and Casino

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A Saturday Night Experience with Grammy Winning Artist Jody Watley 2024. All Rights Reserved Avid Music Inc.

El Cajon, California – April 30, 2024 – On Saturday, April 27th, Grammy Award-winning singer Jody Watley set the stage ablaze with her sensational concert at the Live & Up Close Theatre in Sycuan Resort and Casino. 

Fans from all over flocked to El Cajon, California, as the theater reached maximum capacity, igniting an evening of unparalleled entertainment.

With a career spanning decades, Jody Watley has solidified her status as a music icon, known for her distinctive voice, captivating stage presence, and groundbreaking contributions to the music industry. 

Her performance at Sycuan Resort & Casino was nothing short of extraordinary. Jody Watley flawlessly delivered hit after hit, leaving the audience spellbound from start to finish with a state of the art backdrop of visuals adding to the Saturday night experience. Indeed her diverse repertoire is a testament to her artistry and influence. 

From timeless classics like “Looking for a New Love,” “Real Love,” “Still A Thrill,” “Everything,” and “Friends,” she effortlessly transported concert-goers on a musical journey through the ages, showcasing her unparalleled versatility and enduring appeal. 

Real Love. 35. Photography by Tim Fears. All Rights Reserved Avid Music Inc. 2024

Adding to the excitement, Watley treated the audience to her latest chart-topper “Everlasting.” “Everlasting: The Remixes,” soared to the #2 position on the iTunes Top Dance Albums Chart, solidifying her status as a trailblazer forever creative and relevant in an ever changing music industry. 

“Performing at Sycuan Resort and Casino was an exhilarating experience! The energy from the audience was electric, and I felt incredibly blessed to share my music with such an enthusiastic crowd. It was a night filled with unforgettable moments, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime.”

_____________________________________________

Media inquiries for Ms. Jody Watley

Contact: Pamela J. Broussard, BNM Publicity Group & Management

Email: bnmotionpr@gmail.com

Jody Watley Shares A Symphonic Behind The Scenes Video

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Jody Watley with the Tokyo Symphony “When Pop Meets Symphony” Concert in 2016 was an incredible experience. 3 Jody Watley International Solo Hits were performed (Looking For A New Love, Everything, Real Love).

Check out this behind the scenes soundcheck video and make sure to Subscribe to the Official Jody Watley Youtube Channel.

OTD. March 21, 1987 Jody Watley’s Looking For A New Loves Goes Number 1

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Via RnB Soul Effect TV — #OnThisDay March 21st 1987 , “Looking For A New Love” went Number 1 for three weeks on the Billboard Hot R&B charts, Grammy Award Icon Jody Watley solo debut Number #1 hit single.

Written by Jody Watley & Andre Cymone Produced by Andre Cymone & David Z.

The song became one of the biggest Pop and R&B singles of 1987.

The single hit number two for four consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1987 and spent three weeks at number-one on the Billboard R&B chart.

It is the only single between 1985 and 1990 in the United States to have spent four weeks in the runner-up position and not have reached Number One.

It ranked number 16 on Billboard’s year-end chart for 1987.

The song also reached number-one on the RPM Singles Chart in Canada.

In 1988 the song was nominated for two Soul Train Music Awards for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video, and Best R&B/Soul Single, Female. She was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

One of the song’s key phrases became a popular saying: “Hasta la vista, baby.” It wound up on innumerable answering machines and was used by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1991 film Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

A music video, directed by Brian Grant was released in March 1987 to promote the song. Grant previously made videos for Whitney Houston, Peter Gabriel and Tina Turner.

OTD. Jody Watley Highly Anticipated Solo Debut Single “Looking For A New Love” Released.

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Jody Watley. Looking For A New Love. 35!

#OTD March 7, 1987

“Looking For A New Love”

by GRAMMY® winner Jody Watley

Debuted on the @billboard Hot 100 chart peaking at #2

✍️🏾 Written by: J. Watley, A. Cymone

Chart Note➡️ #1 Dance, #1 Hot R&B

Grammy and American Music Awards Nominated

👉🏾 The smash hit no one saw coming!

#JodyWatley #Icon #35thAnniversary

Jody Watley On SoulBounce – Looking For A New Love On Nick Cannon Show

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Soulbounce – Excerpt – “Every day is Jody Watley Appreciation Day here at SoulBounce, but earlier this week was the official day designated for the world to celebrate the living legend that is Jody Watley. She commemorated the occasion on Monday with an appearance on Nick Cannon‘s syndicated daytime talk show to kick off his Classic Jams Week…..Jody performed her iconic debut single “Looking For A New Love” from her iconic album Jody Watley. She was in her element singing the hit that had everyone in the studio up on their feet dancing. No one was having more fun than Nick, though, who found a buddy in the audience to carry on and cut up with him…” Read full feature and watch the performance in case you missed it.

Here

Jody Watley Word UP Magazine Poster. Flashback Friday Classic Image

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Jody Watley – Looking For A New Love Video. Classic in personalized denim and top hat.

NEW On Eurweb. Andre Cymone Gives Props To Iconic Singer Jody Watley

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Jody Watley. Andre Cymone.

*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.”

Read the interview and watch the video interview:

Here On Eurweb