Jody Watley Opens First TV Presentation Of DJ Cassidy’s Now Legendary “Pass The Mic” Series.

For Immediate Release: BNM Publicity Group. (November 30, 2020)

Jody Watley Makes Surprise TV Appearance onDJ Cassidy’s “Pass The Mic: BET Soul Train Edition.”

(Hollywood, CA – November 30, 2020) -Jody Watley is always full of surprises.
The Grammy-winning, trendsetting pioneer in music, video, fashion and style recently joined other R&B legends of the 80s on DJ Cassidy’s “Pass the Mic: BET Soul Train Edition,” which also featured Sheila E, Chaka Khan, El DeBarge, Deniece Williams, Morris Day, Evelyn “Champagne” King, George Clinton, and many more. DJ Cassidy included an all-star surprise line-up for his set, including Jody Watley giving homage to she and her fellow musical legends who gave birth to some of the greatest dance records of all time. The ‘highly anticipated,’ DJ show premiered after the Soul Train Awards, and also aired on VH1 and MTV2 on Sunday, November 29.
Never one to disappoint, Jody Watley ‘rocked the mic’ and performed bars of “A Night to Remember,” one of the many hit songs from her years during the pinnacle time for the group, Shalamar for the prime-time DJ television special.
Following her brief six year run in the group, Watley went on to become a celebrated solo artist, respected businesswoman, innovative music maker, and style-forging pioneer who has led the way as an entrepreneur working in the independent music world as one of the few already-established female best-selling artists to produce, create and own her recordings.
Some of her many classic hits include “Real Love,” “Don’t You Want Me,” “Everything,” and “Still A Thrill.”
She is one of the architects of 21st-century pop. From her groundbreaking union of rap and R&B (1987’s “Friends,” a collaboration with hip-hop legends Eric B. & Rakim) to her vision-forward amalgamation of high fashion, street fashion and music in the 1980s (long before it became the norm), to her fusion of jazz and underground club culture with keen pop instincts, and the ease with which she crossed and still crosses genre, the iconic singer forged the template that is now everybody’s playbook. DJ Cassidy’s popular ‘Pass the Mic’ webcast series made its debut on BET’s broadcast of “The Soul Train Awards.” His special DJ edition immediately followed after the awards show and delivered a second prime-time special that brought Cassidy’s all-star medleys, usually seen via Twitch and YouTube, to a network for the first time.
“I was thrilled to be part of the first TV presentation for DJ Cassidy’s ‘Pass the Mic.’ He has such an incredible love of music and appreciation for an artist’s body of work that reflects in his presentation and delivery as a DJ,” said Watley.
“Cassidy knows how to mix music seamlessly and play the right song at the right time. It was such an honor and great feeling to be a part of the TV broadcast. We have a mutual appreciation and love as well as a respect for the classics – great music and artistry has no expiration date!” she added.

Jody Watley. Celebrating Music Legend Stevie Wonder.

Stevie Wonder and Jody Watley in 1988. © 2014 Jody Watley

Stevie Wonder and Jody Watley in 1988. © 2014 Jody Watley from my personal Polaroid archives

Jody Watley backstage with Salt n Pepa, Spinderella and Herby LuvBug, in 1988 Stevie Wonder MTV Special.

Jody Watley backstage with Stevie Wonder, Salt n Pepa, Spinderella and Herby LuvBug and Brown Mark from Prince and The Revolution – 1988 Stevie Wonder MTV Special.

I had the honor to duet with one my my music heroes Stevie Wonder in 1988 for his MTV Music Special “Characters.” As a 7th grader with a group called Black Fuzz (because we all wore big afro’s) we performed “Superstitious.” Fast forward to me singing with him – my smiles, nerves and shyness nearly got the best of me. Then add to it the fact Stevie sang one of my songs and knocked it out of the park, botched lyrics and all.  It’s a fond memory. It was also an honor to have shared the stage with Stevie Ray Vaughn and Salt n Pepa who were also musical guests.  Read the archived article from JET Magazine: HERE

Stevie Wonder, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jody Watley

Stevie Wonder and JodyWatley.

 

Jody Watley Photo and Video of The Day. Happy Birthday Stevie Wonder

jodywatley_saltnpepa_herbyluvbug_steviewonder

Pictured: Jody Watley, Herby ‘Luvbug’ Azor, Salt, Stevie Wonder, Spinderella, Pepa and Brown Mark of Prince and The Revolution Photo (c): Ron Lawrence Photography

It was an unbelievable honor to sing and perform with one of my childhood and all time musical heroes and inspirations Stevie Wonder for his 1988 MTV Special “A Character Gathering.” I performed with Stevie on “Superstitious” and he and I did a duet on my of my hits at the time “Some Kind of Lover.” The special also featured pioneering rappers Salt n Pepa, and legendary blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughn. Happy Birthday Stevie Wonder!! My laugh at the end of this performance continues to reflect the joy I felt in that moment.