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Album cover of Jody Watley titled 'Flower', featuring a close-up of Watley resting her chin on her hand against a green chair.

Happy Anniversary to Jody Watley ‘Flower‘Released on this day — March 31, 1998 (UK) via Atlantic Records — and later finally made available across digital platforms, Flower didn’t meet commercial exceptions for the album due to delayed worldwide release but remains a standout her ongoing discography.

A forward-thinking blend of R&B, soul, and dance, the album features production from an all-star lineup including D’Wayne Wiggins, Malik Pendleton, Jamey Jaz, Masters At Work, Andrea Martin, Bryce Wilson, along with Watley herself and Derrick Edmonson (Affection album collaborator).

✨ Highlights include:

• “Off The Hook” — #1 Billboard Dance, #23 R&B, Hot 100 entry (D-Dot Remix featuring Rakim.

• “If I’m Not In Love” — #2 Billboard Dance

• “Loving You So” — featuring Rahsaan Patterson, included on Dr. Doolittle Soundtrack starring Eddie Murphy.

“16,” written by Watley 1 of several of her compositions for the album, was later covered and reimagined as “Sweet 16” by Destiny’s Child on their multi-platinum album ‘The Writings On The Wall.

The album also includes “Just One More Time,” originally recorded as a group collaboration with members of Shalamar. The label ultimately opted for a different direction, leading to Watley re-recording the track as a solo version for the final album release.

A group of four individuals posing in a music studio, with a recording console in the foreground. — Producer Jamey Jaz, Jody Watley, Howard Hewett Jeffrey Daniel. 1997 Westlake Studio. Recording “Just One More Time for Jody Watley’s “Flower” album.

The label ultimately opted for a different direction, leading to Watley re-recording the track as a solo version for the final album release.

The album was supported by numerous music magazine covers geared to the R&B demographic including Blues & Soul, women’s magazine BE (Black Elegance), the UK’s Black Echoes.

There were many high profile television appearances including the top shows of the 90s including The Rosie O’Donnell Show, an hour special on BET’s Planet Groove bookended by an radio promotional tour to the urban market targeted for this album.

🌸 “Flower” is a true gem of late ‘90s contemporary R&B/Soul, dance and continued evolution for the singer, songwriter, producers independence, and commitment to artistry, not remaining stagnant or stuck in the past.

Revisit • Explore • Stream Flower at the digital platforms of your choice.

Check out the new video collage celebrating the anniversary release on Jody Watley YouTube: Here

#JodyWatley #FlowerAlbum #MusicAnniversary #90sRNB #DanceMusic #RnBClassic #WomenInMusic #AtlanticRecords #NowPlaying #MusicHistory

About The Artist:

Jody Watley is a GRAMMY® Award–winning Best New Artist and 3x nominee, multi-platinum singer, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and style icon.

Renowned as one of the most defining female artists of the 80s and 90s with Top 10 hits including the iconic hits “Looking for a New Love,” “Don’t You Want Me,” “Friends” ft. Eric B. & Rakim, and the gold-certified “Real Love,” + more.

6 Top 10 Hot 100 Hits, 13 #1 Dance Hits, 15 top 40, 2 #1 R&B Singles & Albums, 3 #1 Dance / Electronic Albums.

Jody Watley has built a genre-spanning, critically acclaimed catalog across R&B, Pop, Dance, Jazz, Electronica — from the 1980s to today. Her latest release, Let’s Dance Vol. 1, reached #1 on iTunes Top Dance Albums in July 2025.

An award-winning songwriter (BMI Medal of Honor, Women’s Songwriters Hall of Fame), Watley is ranked by Billboard among the Top 25 Dance Artists of All Time and Top 65 Hot 100 Female Artists of All Time. Her honors include Black Music Honors Crossover Icon and the 2022 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Chicago native is also celebrated as a fashion and cultural trailblazer, Watley has been featured in GAP & SAKS 5th Avenue ad campaigns, VOGUE, Harper’s Bazaar, Rolling Stone, People Magazines Most Beautiful Issue and more.

A pioneer at the intersection of music and style, Jody Watley’s multi-decade, multi-generational career continues to evolve with a legacy of sound, fearless authenticity on her path; not chasing trends or charts just quality timeless music – with a style and spirit that endures.

Working on the ‘Flower’ album at the time in 1998, flying up north to work with D’Wayne Wiggins, the idea from this song came to me while waiting to be picked up. I was thinking about girls who try to grow up too fast, teen pregnancy and many of the ramifications that come after, someone I knew was devastated when learning his daughter was pregnant at 15 and that was in my consciousness as well, I also thought about one of my nieces who’d say she couldn’t wait to be grown. Ask her now and she’ll laugh and say I want to be little again!

Humming the melody in my head and praying I didn’t forget the melodies or lyrics (it happens) to ’16”, pre-cell phones to record these types of creative moments. “she was searching for the love she missed yeah..so she ran away..slow down you’re moving way to fast..16 there’s so much of life ahead..sweet 16 do you know where you’re running to..” I named her Jackie in the song for no particular reason though I grew up on songs in rock and folk music.

Luckily by the time arriving at the studio the idea was still in my head and as I began signing it, D’Wayne began playing his acoustic guitar..we recorded the song instantly. Ad it turns out my ‘Flower’ album on Atlantic was a massive let down when they decided to not release it despite two Top 5 dance singles and a very good reception to the very R&B vibe of ‘Off The Hook’ — I’d wanted to make a dance album with Ben Watt of Everything But The Girl, Todd Terry, Masters At Work. The label wanted R&B but wanted Pop success..it didn’t make sense and subsequently the project was held up. I was disillusioned with the music business.

The bright side of the experience was making a few solid connections at the time. D’Wayne was one of them and since the ladies were a discovery of his, he asked if he could play the song and perhaps place it on their album ‘The Writing’s On The Wall’, as a songwriter I was like cool – even though the song was written for myself..it fit this group of young ladies and their audience demographic. They wanted to make a couple of tweaks to the song and added a bridge they wrote and call to it ‘Sweet 16′ rather than ’16.’ Shockingly, initially I was left out of the songwriting credits on the first pressing of the album. I was made aware by one my fans ironically through my website at the time and had to end up having my attorney sort it out and have all parties involved make it right.

Nevertheless, I’m very proud and happy they did the song..and the business, songwriting and publishing was handled in the end.

Their “The Writing’s On The Wall” album was a multi-platinum seller and turns 21 today. 16 is a gem in my songwriting catalog even as an album cut. Lyrically, it’s also such another topically timeless theme and conversation to have with girls wanting rush into adulthood, low self esteem and navigating life in the right direction at a young age “.. Sweet 16, do you know where you’re running to..”