20 YEARS OF JODY WATLEY — THE MAKEOVER

Happy 20th Anniversary to Jody Watley’s critically acclaimed 2006 album, The Makeover — a groundbreaking independent release that was as much about shifting paradigms as it was about music.

Released through Watley’s independent Avitone Recordings, The Makeover became an early example of the changing landscape for independent artists and innovative music retail partnerships.

In 2006, Avitone partnered with Virgin Megastore, beauty powerhouse Shu Uemura and local beauty salons for an exclusive The Makeover release campaign featuring special in-store appearances, live performances, autograph signings and fan beauty makeovers.

The result?

The Makeover debuted as Virgin Megastore’s #1 exclusive new release, remaining at #1 for five weeks — without a traditional radio single driving the release.

The album also made its mark digitally, debuting at #3 on iTunes Top Electronic Albums ultimately reaching #1 and producing three Billboard Dance Top 5 hits:

“I Want Your Love” — #1 Dance

“Borderline” — #2 Dance

“A Beautiful Life” — #5 Dance

Watley’s sophisticated reimagining of the CHIC classic “I Want Your Love”, featuring guitar by Nile Rodgers, also reached #1 Commercial Pop in the UK, giving Jody her first UK #1 in 20 years.

But The Makeover was about more than reworking familiar classics.

It was reimagining the familiar and creating the new — blending electronic, dance, soul, ambient pop and sophisticated club music with original compositions from Watley, a singer-songwriter-producer continuing to create on her own terms.

The album brought together an extraordinary roster of collaborators including Nile Rodgers, King Britt, 4hero, DJ Spinna, Ron Trent, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Chris Brann and Rodney Lee.

And the title itself carried a deeper message as well as the cover art opting not for a beauty shot but a threshold aesthetic – blank canvas clean slate open to personal interpretation.

At a time when social media and celebrity culture were accelerating society’s fixation on appearance, Watley used The Makeover to explore beauty, image, aging and the unrealistic expectations placed on women — themes that remain remarkably relevant 20 years later.

As an independent artist and founder of Avitone Recordings since 1995, Watley recognized the importance of the Virgin Megastore partnership as a milestone not only for her music, but for the possibilities available to independent artists.

20 years later, The Makeover still sounds like the future.

Reimagining the familiar.

Creating the new.

Owning the journey.

Download. Stream. Discover. Rediscover this groundbreaking independent Jody Watley release at the music platforms of your choice.

About Jody Watley:

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. One of the defining female artists in Pop/R&B/Dance music and culture 80s and 90s, Jody Watley is the recipient of Crossover Music Icon from Black Music Honors 2017  with an ongoing diverse music discography spanning R&B / Pop / Dance /Hip Hop / Spoken Word/Electronic / Jazz / Adult Contemporary 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 , a gold single and video compilation in the USA alone as a solo artist in addition to a #1 million selling fitness video.

Watley’s eventual fusion of jazz, and deep house music makes her one of music most versatile artists. Recent releases have continued to impact UK Soul Radio and a growing social media presence with recent Youtube Silver Creator Award in 2025.

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: https://jodywatley.net/jodywatleybio/