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JODY WATLEY


BIO:
Pop's Fashionista Godmother Jody Watley is a GRAMMY Award Winning renowned Pop/R&B Icon. An innovative music maker and style-forging pioneer in music, video, dance and fashion as recognized in VOGUE, VOGUE Italia, Harper’s Bazaar, Rolling Stone, Essence and Vanity Fair in addition to being named one of People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People. Watley also has the distinction of being included the first celebrity driven ad campaigns titled "Individuals of Style" from GAP and the LA Eyeworks famed "A Face Is Like A Work Of Art". Jody Watley established the trend of high-end fashion, mixed with street chic, and individuality raising the bar for the next generation of young black Pop/R&B artists with music and style decades before the industry capitalized on cross marketing and branding. Watley's groundbreaking collaboration with Eric B and Rakim “Friends” was the first to successfully usher in the a new era of Rap/Sung Collaborations with the customized 16 bar verse "feature". Rakim's two tailor made verses to Watley's sung verses is one of music's milestones and a formula that has gone on to dominate commercial music. Ranking as one of MTV’s most nominated artists for decades for her David Fincher directed video “Real Love”; Jody Watley has to date amassed 32 Top Ten Singles and 13 #1 Singles combined in Pop, Dance, R&B and Electronic music genres over the past three decades including 6 Hot 100 Top Ten singles according to Billboard and gained loyal fans around the globe in an enduring and lasting career. Watley’s multi-format hit singles include such classics as “Looking For A New Love,” with it’s popular catch-phrase “Hasta La Vista Ba-by” “Don’t You Want Me” and the tender pop smash ballad "Everything." Jody Watley was also the first woman of color to appear on the cover a high fashion magazine in Japan as the face of Vogue equivalent SPUR and to release a best selling fitness video 'Dance To Fitness'. She's also one of the first already established artists to embrace the shifting paradigms in the music business and digital platforms embracing the entrepreneurial side releasing music independently and being involved in social networking since the mid 90?s. An original member and alumni of the group Shalamar (77-83); with such hits include "Take That To The Bank", "The Second Time Around" and "A Night To Remember" Watley got her start on the iconic TV show Soul Train as one it's most popular dancing teenaged stars handpicked by show creator Don Cornelius for Shalamar when forming the group and Soul Train Records. Watley’s publishing catalog as a songwriter via Jody Watley Music (BMI) contains a diverse range of titles in multiple genres with license opportunities in platforms including commercials, video games, film and television. Her label Avitone has licensed music around the world to taste-making niche labels from Giant Step, Hed Kandi, Defected, Sony Special Products and more. The mother of two resides in Beverly Hills and is currently completely various creative projects including her 10th solo album "Chameleon", a memoir, as well as her first novel.

Latest Articles


Sheryl Lee Ralph Sets Partial Lineup for DIVAS Simply Singing! With Wayne Brady, Cyn Photo Sheryl Lee Ralph Sets Partial Lineup for DIVAS Simply Singing! With Wayne Brady, Cynthia Erivo & More
by Michael Major - October 19, 2023

Emmy® award-winning and Tony award-nominated actor, singer, producer, philanthropist, and community activist Sheryl Lee Ralph, along with her non-profit charitable organization, The DIVA Foundation, set a star-studded partial lineup of performers and presenters to take the stage at this year’s DIVAS...

Jackie Wilson Receives A Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Photo Jackie Wilson Receives A Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
by Abigail Charpentier - September 04, 2019

JACKIE WILSON, the legendary entertainer from Detroit is receiving the 2,672nd Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame today in Hollywood, presented by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce in a ceremony that will be streamed-live exclusively today, Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at 11:30 A.M. PDT. The posthu...

Ladies of Soul Rule September with Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Oleta Adams, Jody Photo Ladies of Soul Rule September with Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Oleta Adams, Jody Watley and Many More at Blue Note
by Sarah Jae Leiber - August 29, 2019

September brings some of music's most iconic female performers including Motown stars Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Lady of Soul Oleta Adams and '80s icon Jody Watley. Local artists include the Honolulu Jazz Quartet, Henry Kapono presenting his Artist 2 Artist Concert Series featuring Blayne Asin...

Shalamar Part of the Successful 'Gold' Series Through Crimson Records Photo Shalamar Part of the Successful 'Gold' Series Through Crimson Records
by Abigail Charpentier - July 15, 2019

American RnB group Shalamar who had numerous hit singles in the seventies and eighties, release a career spanning 3 CD set & single gold Vinyl album on 19th July, as part of the successful “Gold” series through Crimson Records, part of the Demon Music Group....

The APX Releases AMPLIFIED EXPERIMENT Album - Appearances From Teddy Riley, Jody Watl Photo The APX Releases AMPLIFIED EXPERIMENT Album - Appearances From Teddy Riley, Jody Watley, Zapp And More
by Julie Musbach - June 20, 2019

The APX have released their highly anticipated self-titled sophomore album Amplified Experiment! Detroit native singersongwriter Erika Dawn alongside her prodigy multi talented husband Dee Rhodes are an Atlanta based electro funksoul duo collectively known as The APX....

The APX Announces AMPLIFIED EXPERIMENT Album & Tour Photo The APX Announces AMPLIFIED EXPERIMENT Album & Tour
by A.A. Cristi - May 13, 2019

The APX are releasing their highly anticipated self-titled sophomore album Amplified Experiment! Detroit native singer/songwriter Erika Dawn alongside her prodigy multi-talented husband Dee Rhodes are an Atlanta based electro funk/soul duo collectively known as The APX. Amplified Experiment encores ...

Jazz Guitarist Chris Standring to Release 'Best of Chris Standring Remixed' Photo Jazz Guitarist Chris Standring to Release 'Best of Chris Standring Remixed'
by Kaitlin Milligan - May 01, 2019

Over twenty years and twelve albums into his career as a solo artist, chart-topping guitarist Chris Standring had no interest in putting out a typical “best of” album. After a gig, a fan approached him with a novel idea that did get his creative wheels spinning....

Giorgio's Makes It's Palm Springs Debut at Palm Springs Film Festival Today Photo Giorgio's Makes It's Palm Springs Debut at Palm Springs Film Festival Today
by BWW News Desk - January 03, 2019

Giorgio's, A Modern Discotheque the legendary Hollywood nightclub will make it's desert debut today, January 3 @ 10:00pm, during the annual kick off for the Palm Springs Film Festival at the iconic MR. LYONS (233 East Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262)....

Giorgio's Makes It's Palm Springs Debut at Palm Springs Film Festival Thursday 1/3 Photo Giorgio's Makes It's Palm Springs Debut at Palm Springs Film Festival Thursday 1/3
by Tori Hartshorn - December 27, 2018

Giorgio's, A Modern Discotheque the legendary Hollywood nightclub will make it's desert debut on Thursday, January 3 @ 10:00pm, during the annual kick off for the Palm Springs Film Festival at the iconic MR. LYONS (233 East Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262)....

The APX Announces First International Tour Photo The APX Announces First International Tour
by A.A. Cristi - August 15, 2018

The year may be almost over but The APX's ascent through 2018 continues at an exponential pace as the husband/wife duo announce their first international tour....

Detroit's Chene Park Amphitheatre Summer Concert Season Running Now through Labor Day Photo Detroit's Chene Park Amphitheatre Summer Concert Season Running Now through Labor Day Weekend
by Macon Prickett - May 29, 2018

Chene Park Amphitheatre, Detroit's premiere summer concert venue located along the Detroit River, fires up its summer season May 27, and runs through Labor Day weekend. The venue's summer concert season includes more than 25 shows featuring a diverse range of Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, Latin and 80s acts. ...

Chene Park's Summer Concert Season Kicks Off May 27 Photo Chene Park's Summer Concert Season Kicks Off May 27
by Robert Diamond - May 25, 2018

Chene Park Amphitheatre, Detroit's premiere summer concert venue located along the Detroit River, fires up its summer season May 27, and runs through Labor Day weekend. The venue's summer concert season includes more than 25 shows featuring a diverse range of Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, Latin and 80s ac...

Jazz Guitarist Chris Standring Basks in Positive Glow of Joyous 'Sunlight' Photo Jazz Guitarist Chris Standring Basks in Positive Glow of Joyous 'Sunlight'
by Caryn Robbins - January 18, 2018

Much like a prism refracts light into a colorful spectrum, guitarist Chris Standring's Sunlight reflects rays of multihued jazz into a vibrant sonic palette of joy and positivity....

Legendary Jacksons to ReceiveLifetime Achievement Award & Perform at 'Black Music Honors'
by Caryn Robbins - August 03, 2017

Central City Productions will pay tribute to The Jacksons, Donnie McClurkin, Slick Rick, Guy, Oleta Adams and Jody Watley, at Black Music Honors. Thelive television special taping will take place on Friday, August 18, 2017 at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in Nashville, TN....












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