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Recent News:
In recent years Grammy Award Winning artist songwriter, producer and entrepreneur Jody Watley has collaborated with an eclectic mix of internationally renowned DJ/Producers including: the UK's 4Hero, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Soulcast & The Wideboys; DJ Yellow from France, Philly's King Britt, NYC's Masters at Work & DJ Spinna, Chicago's Ron Trent, Spain's Marco Zappala and Aris Koukouselis of Greece among others.
Watley's most recent singles have reached Top Five on The Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Charts:
A Beautiful Life #5
I Want Your Love #1
Borderline #2
Currently Jody Watley is putting the finishing touches on her 10th studio album "CHAMELEON" scheduled for release in 2010.
"CHAMELEON" is her first full length of original material since 2001's much heralded "Midnight Lounge".
Feb.1, 2010
Jody Watley featured in LA Times Jamie Foxx Post Grammy Party Performance
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2010/02/grammys-2010-after-parties.html
January 29, 2010
Jody Watley appeared on CNN's "The List" with Rick Sanchez discussing social media
Watley appeared at screening and panel for VH1's Roc Documentary "Soul Train: The Hippest Trip In America" airing Feb. 6
January 28, 2010
A rare red carpet appearance at the First Annual Data Awards hosted by will.i.am.
http://theybf.com/index.php/2010/01/29/celebs-hit-the-data-awardsbeyonce-solange-others-party-for-haiti/
Dec. 23, 2009
Jody Watley On Eurweb: Talking Music Makeovers, Plastic Surgery Rumors and Shalamar
Part One:
http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur58185.cfm
Part Two:
http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur58244.cfm
Dec. 4, 2009
"Why We Love Jody Watley" Blog
http://jodywatleynremix.wordpress.com/why-we-love-jody-watley/
Dec. 3, 2009
Jody Watley announces Spring Concerts at Billboard Live Tokyo, and Osaka Japan via Twitter
and Facebook
Dec. 1, 2009
Eurweb.com UK Corner CD Review "Jody Watley The Makeover (International): Review by FionaMcKinson
http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur57733.cfm
Nov. 18, 2009
Jody Watley's groundbreaking collaboration with Eric B & Rakim noted as first as they note The Ten Most Slept On R&B/Rap Collaborations at UrbanDaily.com:
http://bit.ly/i1Zjd
Nov. 4, 2009
"Reach" featuring Jody Watley is the hot new single from world renowned Remixer/Producer Max Sanna. Available now exclusively at Beatport.com
Nov. 2, 2009
The reviews are in, this is what critics are saying about "The Makeover" International Edition:
http://bit.ly/1NEnw7
October 5, 2009
"The Makeover "- International Edition released in the UK and digital outlets worldwide.
Reg Dancy from Basic-Soul online writes:
"When you've been an icon in the music business and remain relevant, you're in a class all by yourself.."
http://www.basic-soul.co.uk/reviews/
Join my Facebook Fan Page to get ALL the links for articles and reviews for "The Makeover" International Editon
Click on logo's here on home page.
Blues and Soul Review:
http://www.bluesandsoul.com/review/834/jody_watley_the_makeover/
Jody Watley also continues to work on "Chameleon" - to be released in 2010.
Fall 2009
Footage of Jody Watley from her 'A Beautiful Life' video appears in the upcoming
Chris Rock film "Good Hair".
UK : "Borderline/A Beautiful Life" Double A Side Single #29 on The Commercial Pop Club Play Chart.
Please copy and paste links in your browser/
Jody Watley Tribute Blog:
http://www.craigspoplife.blogspot.com/2009/07/jody-palooza-tribute-to-jody-watley.html
August 3:
Concert Review BB Kings New York
http://www.soultracks.com/review-jody-watley-bbkings
Jody Watley on AOL Black Voices BB Kings NYC Review
http://www.bvnewswire.com/2009/08/03/jody-watley-still-a-thrill-and-showing-love-to-all/
August 1:
Avitone/ADA Global announce Oct. 5 as release date of "THE MAKEOVER" - International Editon to be released in UK.
July 30:
Jody Watley on TMZ.
Watley Says: "No Second Time Around For Shalamar"
July 13:
Jody Watley Sytle Icon Feature
http://tinyurl.com/mrgv36
July 4, 2009:
"Candlelight" Peaks at #24 Billboard Hot Dance Club Play
June 17:
Honored with Special Recognition Proclamations by Congresswoman Maxine Waters
and California Legislature for 30 years of music.
June 19:
Jody Watley Still Thrills
http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/entertainment/blak_music_month/10301
Jody Watley Featured at Urbanbridgez.com
June 13:
Featured in Billboard Magazine Jody Watley "Goes Global"
May 20:
Billboard Chart Beat; Watley extends solo career chart span to 22 years.. with new entry 'Candlelight' which debuts at #46 Hot Dance Club Play.
May 18:
Announces Avitone Recordings global distribution with London based ADA.
Recently completed summer tour dates:
July 28: The World Cafe Live! Philadelphia
July 30: The Birchmere Music Hall, Alexandria VA
July 31: BB Kings New York
Aug. 2: Market Days Northalsted Music Fest, Chicago
BIO
Jody Watley is a Grammy Award Winning Singer, Songwriter, Producer and CEO of Avitone Recordings. To many she is a trendsetting icon who helped define a generation with her stylish videos and pop classics, including 'Looking For a New Love' ( with it's sardonic signature line "Hasta La Vista Baby"), "Don't You Want Me", Real Love and the groundbreaking hip hop classic "Friends", her collaboration with Eric B and Rakim recognized as the first mainstream hit to incorporate the Pop/R&B singer with a rapper formula with a 16 bar tailored verse/bridge.
With a career spanning three decades and an amazing 32 Top Ten Singles (Billboard Pop, R&B and Dance), 6 Top Ten Pop Hits, 15 Top 40 R&B Hits, 13 Dance Hits, 13 #1 Singles (Pop, R&B or Dance - 80s, 90s 00s), Watley received Billboards prestigious Lifetime Achievement award in Fall 2008.
Jody has consistently broken new ground in music, fashion (culminating in being featured in the Historic "The Black Issue of Italian VOGUE' in 2008), being named as one of People Magazines 50 Most Beautiful People and Harper's Bazaar's Ten Most Beautiful Women. In music video she remains one of MTV's most nominated female artists for her stylish video 'Real Love' directed by David Fincher. Watley also has a best selling 'Dance To Fitness' , another first for a woman of color accoriding to the New York Times to add to her impressive list of career achievements.
Vanity Fair once proclaimed that Watley's knack for reinvention "has always complimented her music". In the late 80's into the 90's Jody Watley was featured in fashion magazines such as Harper's Bazaar in multi-page layouts. Watley also appeared in one of the first 'celebrity' ads for GAP in their notable 'Individuals' campaign. Jody Watley's popularity in Japan would lead to her being the first woman of color featured on the cover of a high fashion magazine in Japan, as the face for the launch of 'SPUR'.
Though identified in pop culture for her early signature extra jumbo hoop earrings - Jody Watley evolved her style and the fashion world took notice. Some would argue Jody Watley indeed paved the way for acceptance and cross marketing in music and fashion for the next generation of artists such as Beyonce, Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez.
Inspired early on by Diana Ross, Watley has said in interviews she always wanted to be a performer. According to an interview in Rolling Stone in 1987 her first stage appearance was with the legendary singer Jackie Wilson, when he brought her onstage to dance when she was 8 years old. Wilson, a family friend is often referred to as her godfather.
As a teenager Jody Watley found early recognition as documented in1978's 'The New Generation Issue of Ebony Magazine as one of the most popular and influential dancers on the show Soul Train.
The popularity from the show led to Watley being an original member of the R&B trio Shalamar from 1977-1984 singing on such R&B hits like 'A Night To Remember' and 'The Second Time Around'. Watley abruptly quit Shalamar in 1984, telling the LA Times Stu Black "When I left the group I didn't want to pursue a solo career.. Just being out of Shalamar made me happy."
Post Shalamar Watley was a part of the historic charity single Band Aid "Do They Know It's Christmas" which raised millions of dollars for famine relief in Ethiopia.
Jody Watley was also featured in an early project to raise awareness for HIV and AIDS. Singing a jazzy rendition of Cole Porter's 'After You Who' alongside Annie Lennox, David Byrne, U2 and other artists for Red, Hot and Blue - A Benefit For AIDS Research & Relief. Watley has stated it was important to get the word out when so few outlets were covering the disease inthe early 90's.
In recent years she has continued to broaden her music evolution and growth as an artist working successfully in the jazz influenced ambience of electronic soul. Watley has said over the years that she is more interested in broadening her creative boundaries and lasting messages over record breaking sales.
One of the first already established female artist to establish herself as an entrepreneur by forming Avitone Recordings in 1995, Jody Watley's broad range has found a continued presence among the club set as a mainstay on the Billboard Hot Dance Play Charts with Top Five singles well into the new millenium.
Always an outspoken advocate, Jody Watley has also continued to work with various charitable organizations promoting tolerance, HIV and AIDS awareness, famine relief and self esteem for girls and women.
Read Jody's Bio in Her Own Words: www.myspace.com/jodywatley
SOURCES
THE WATLEY INFLUENCE
As a teenager, Jody Watley became one of the most popular dancers in the history of the internationally notable dance show Soul Train. Her trendsetting style and influence was noted early on:
Ebony Magazine Article: The New Generation "The Outrageous Waack Dancers"
Pages 64-67, August 1978, Johnson Publications
Many will recall how Jody Watley influenced girls all over the U.S. though her role as dancer on the show. "Girls would copy her hairstyles.." Another of her innovations was the use of fans in her dance routines.
Watley's collaboration 'Friends' with Eric B and Rakim was the first to popularize the 16 bar rap solo coupled with Pop/R&B. This formula became a staple in contemporary music:
Icons of Hip-Hop Culture: An Enclyclopedia of the Movement, Music, Culture, Vol. 1
2007 Greenwood Press by Mickey Hess
ISBN-10: 0313339031
" With a respectful Kangol tip to Chaka Khan and Melle Mel and their Grammy winner 'I Feel For You' the successful team up of Eric B and Rakim would make permanent the now formulaic Pop/R&B singer X featuring a rapper X a prerequisite for a Billboard chart topper".
To The Break of Dawn: A Freestyle On The Hip-Hop Aesthetic
by William Jelani Cobb, 2007 NYU Press Page 142
ISBN 0814716709, 9780814716700
"Chaka Khan's 1984 single 'I Feel For You' famously included a rap intro from Melle Mel and Jody Watley enlisted the rhyme skills of none other than Rakim for an interlude on 1989's "Friends". In short order , the rap bridge became a standard part of the R&B song structure. "
The Billboard Book of Number Two Singles
Christopher Feldman, Jody Watley 'Larger Than Life/Real Love" Publisher Watson-Guphill ,
ISBN 0823076954, 9780823076952000
The track 'Friends' was one of the first collaborations with a Pop/R&B singer and a hard core rapper.
Noteworthy Fashion and Music Statements:
Harpers Bazaar May 1989, Photographed by Francesco Scavullo Pages 126-127
Jody Watley is making a substantial dent in the annals of hot pop history..her smashing good looks and style have not hurt her..
GAP Ad Campaign 1989 Individuals
Photographed by Herb Ritts
Subsequently released as a part of the GAP: Individuals
"Portraits of The GAP Collection" Book Chronicling the ads used over the years.
Publisher: Melcher Media 2006
Harpers Bazaar September 1990, "Americas Ten Most Beautiful Women" Issue Photographed by: Matthew Rolston Page 180-183 "The Hot Beauty"
Watley is a student of style. She creates her own video concepts and styling . Jody Watley combines seemingly contradictory elements with ease - the soulful with the mundane, the outrageous with the classic. " - Anna McDowell
People Magazine: America's 50 Most Beautiful People
May 09, 1990
http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20063273,00.html
Rolling Stone Fall Fashion: Italian Collection
Pages 9-13 Photographed by William Laxton
Harpers Bazaar- November 1991, Photographed by Andrea Blanch Pages 142-145
"Irreverent, Irrestible Dance Diva Jody Watley has always brought bravura style and energy to the Pop-Soul party... Watley's reputation has rested on a rebellious fashion sense and a taste for uptempo.. "Affairs of The Heart" marks a shift in emphasis.." - Alan Light
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE Fall Catalogue 1996
Photographed by Victor Skrebneski
Pages 81-96
Vanity Fair: October 1991 Spotlight: 'Soul Survivor' Written By Lynn Hirschberg Pages 196 - 197
Photo: Michel Comte
"Her knack for reinvention has always complimented her music" - Lynn Hirshberg
Allure Magazine, "Upkeep" Jody Watley,
George Wayne, August 1995
People Magazine "Best Bodies" Issue 1995
"Jody Watley"
Photographed by Dana Finemen Page 111
The Black Issue: VOGUE Italia, Jody Watley "Outstanding Ladies"
Photo: Michel Comte , July 2008
LA Times Magazine, "She Took The Soul Train To Stardom"
Dec. 13, 1987 Stu Black Pages 26 - 35
"Jody came in with so much intact" - Jheryl Busby
Rolling Stone, "Jody Watley's New Love"
June 18, 1987, Anthony DeCurtis Page 23
USA Today, "Jody Watley Makes A Stylish About Face",
January 26, 1990, Jefferson Graham Page 8D
Eager to broaden her musical range and change her image.
"It's important to be distinct not just musically" she says but visually distinct as well....I want people to know that I wrote 11 of the 12 songs on the album ...not the pawn of soemone else, or a marketing man's idea.."
Dance To Fitness Overview 1990
http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/26269/Jody-Watley-Dance-to-Fitness/overview
Grammy Award winning songstress serenades the at home exerciser with 'Dance To Fitness'. Consisting of light aerobics Watley's was one of the first to feature an African American female artist.
ARTISTIC GROWTH - CHANGE & CHALLENGE
US Magazine " Jody Watley -Soul Survivor"
March 1992 -Arion Berger' Pages 53-56
"I call her a quiet tiger." says Louil Silas Jr. an executive at MCA Records. "She's had a definite opinion of herself
visually and musically from day one."
Watley decided to approach 'Affairs of the Heart' much the same way she did with her workout tape 'Dance To Fitness'. She thought of the project as more of a breakthrough than a marketing move. "There wasn't one black person in a fitness video" she recalls "and I thought it would be great if I opened that door".
Essence Magazine, People: Jody Watley,
by Scott-Poulson Bryant Page 62 March 1994
More so than her previous three solo albums it reveals a maturity of an artist with more on her mind than the latest dance groove.
USA Today, Jody Watley's High Voltage Rebound
July 17, 1995 by James Jones IV
She doesn't apologize for her last two albums, Affairs of the Heart' and 'Intimacy', where she recorded softer, supper-club oriented fare and ballads.
"I call those my adololescent albums," she explains. "As a singer and a songwriter, I have to be able to explore different influences and styles. Everybody expects me to do the same thing all the time. To me that's just wrong. I don't like to be tied down to formulas."
Billboard Magazine, "Watley Takes Control of Her Own Destiny With New Album on Avitone
June 24, 1995 , The Rhythm and the Blues, by J.R. Reynolds
Discussing Declining Sales:
Watley admits that her new indie status presents challenges she didn't face while signed to MCA. Still, the artist remians confident.
"I'm an artist who likes to keep changing and developing.."
Watley says she's more interested in broadening her creative boundaries and issuing lasting messages of substance than in having record breaking sales.
She says "My earlier albums were more mainstream and dance oriented. The last two moved into deep relationship themes lyrically - which has become very important to me".
Billboard Magazine: "Watley Relaxes in The Midnight Lounge"
by Michael Paoletta January 22, 2003
Watley predated the neo-soul movement with the lesser heard ahead of their time "Affairs of The Heart" and "Intimacy", and the import only "Flower".
"An artist should always explore new frontiers." Watley says.
"These frontiers must reflect you as an artist. It's really quite simple, but when superstardom greets an artist, it's very easy to get sidetracked. But I've never had a desire to compromise myself...Havinga strongvision or belief can cost you corporate support. To be an artist iis different than being a pop-star".
Three years ago Destiny's Child recorded "Sweet Sixteen" a song written by Watley and D'wayne Wiggins
of (Tony! Toni! Tone!) for it's multi-platinum album "The Writing's On The Wall".
EMBRACING NEW AND SHIFTING MUSIC INDUSTRY PARADIGMS
Hits Daily Double: Megamove:
"..Virgin Megastores worked out an arrangement to be the exclusive terrestrial source for Jody Watley's new CD 'The Makeover' and damned if the CD didn't debut as the chains best selling new release of the week.." - August 15, 2006, hitsdailydouble.com
DISCOGRAPHY
Jody Watley's Solo Chart Span 1987 - Present
Albums: Jody Watley, Larger Than Life, Affairs of the Heart, Intimacy, Affection, Flower, Saturday Night Experience Vol.1, Midnight Lounge,The Makeover,
Watley's music appears on various compilations most recently taste making boutique label Hed Kandi's The Mix 2009 and two Greatest Hits Compilations.
Awards: Grammy Award Best New Artist 1988, Lifetime Achievement Billboard Dance
Nominated for: MTV VMA's in 1987 for Best Female Video for "Some Kind Of Lover" and in 1989 remaining one of their most nominated female artists for 'Real Love' .
Nominations also include American Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards.
Billboard Singles Chart History:
2009
Candlelight
(J. Watley, A. Koukouselis)
Jody Watley Music BMI, A. Koukouselis AEIP
# 24 Hot Dance Club Play
2008
A Beautiful Life
(J. Watley, R. Lee)
Jody Watley Music BMI, Dream Planet Music BMI
# 5 Hot Dance Club Play
2007
I Want Your Love
(N. Rodgers, B. Edwards)
Bernard S Other Music Warner Tamerlane
Sony ATV Songs BMI
# 1 Hot Dance Club Play
Borderline
(R. Lucas)
Careers Music Pub. BMI
# 2 Hot Dance Club Play
2005
Looking For a New Love Remixes
(J. Watley, A. Cymone)
Jody Watley Music BMI, Ultrawave ASCAP
2003
Midnight Lounge
(J.Watley, R. Lee)
# 19 Hot Dance Club Play
1998
If I'm Not in Love
Off The Hook
(M. Pendleton, C. Lucas, Floyd)
# 23 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles
# 73 Hot 100
1995
Affection
(J. Watley, D. Edmonson)
Jody Watley Music BMI
# 28 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles
1994
When a Man Loves a Woman
(J. Watley, L. Camobell)
Jody Watley Music BMI, L. Campbell ASCAP
# 8 Hot Dance Club Play Singles
# 11 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
1993
Your Love Keeps Working On Me
(J. Barnes, J. Diggs,, R. WHite) BMI
# 26 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
# 100 Hot 100
1992
It All Begins With You
(G. Lyter, D. Rich)
# 80 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
I'm The One You Need
(J. Watley, D. Morales, A. Shantzis)
Jody Watley Music BMI, Morales, Shantzis ASCAP
# 3 Hot Dance Club Play
# 19 Hot 100
# 23 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
1991
I Want You
# 5 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
# 17 Hot Dance Club Play
# 61 Hot 100
1990
Precious Love
# 51 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
# 87 Hot 200
1989
Real Love
# 2 Hot 100
# 1 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
Friends featuring Eric B and Rakim
(J. Watley, A. Cymone, Rakim, Eric B)
# 9 Hot 100
# 3 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
# 7 Hot Dance Club Play Singles
Everything
(G. Cole, J. Newton-Howard)
# 4 Hot 100
# 11 Adult Contemporary
1988
Some Kind of Lover
# 10 Hot 100
# 3 Hot R&B /Hip Hop
Most of All
(G. Cole, P. Leonard)
# 8 Hot Dance Club Play
# 60 Hot 100
1987
Don't You Want Me
(J. Watley, F. Golde, D. Bryant)
Jody Watley Music BMI, Franne Gee Music
# 6 Hot 100
Still a Thrill
# 8 Hot R&B Hip/Hop
# 56 Hot 100
Looking For a New Love
Listen
ALL MUSIC AVAILABLE AT iTUNES AND OTHER DIGITAL OUTLETS .
http://www.itunes.com/jodywatley
BLOG
VISIT:
http://jodywatleyblog.blogspot.com
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GALLERY
Photographed by : Scavullo for Harper's Bazaar
Photographed by: Steven Meisel
Photo: Michel Comte for Vanity Fair
Photo: Matthew Rolston for Harper's Bazaar Ten Most Beautiful
Photo: Skrebneski for Sak Fifth Ave.
Photo: Herb Ritts
Photo: Phillip Dixon
Photo: Greg Gorman
Harper's Bazaar
Photo: Skrebneski for Saks Fifth Ave.
Rolling Stone: Fall Fashion
As a teenager on the renowned show Soul Train, referred to as "The Hippest Trip In America", Jody Watley was recognized as influential for her style and dance moves. Ebony Magazine's "The New Generation" in 1978, in a featured titled 'The Outrageous Waack Dancers' noted Watley's style and influence on teenage girls around the United States., making her one of the most popular from the show.
With the launch of her solo career in 1987, she established herself not only a formable music artist, but a style icon as well. Introducing high fashion to music video and raising the bar for other female artists with her video for the Pop smash single "Real Love" remains one of MTV's most nominated videos at 7.
Watley has appeared in early ad campaigns for GAP and LA Eyeworks - featured in fashion layouts in magazines around the world in cluding Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Rolling Stone, in addition to having the distinguished honor being the first woman of color to grace the cover of a Japanese fashion magazine for the launch of SPUR. Jody Watley had the honor of also being named one of People Magazines 50 Most Beautiful People, Harper's Bazaar's Ten Most Beautiful Women and appearing in a 15 page layout in the prestigious Fall Catalog for luxury retailer Saks Fifth Ave. She has been photographed by a wide range of iconic photographers which include Steven Meisel, Matthew Rolston, Skrebneski, and the legendary Scavullo.
Watley was also featured in 2008 in the Historic "The Black Issue of VOGUE Italia. The 'Gallery' is a small
sampling of her ever evolving trendsetting style
Watley states: "My Mom was my first influence for style. I was exposed to glamour early on. I have learned it's best to find your own identity and what works for you!"
GENERAL INFO - DO NOT ADD THIS ADDRESS TO MAILING LISTS
info_jodywatley.net
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