Jody Watley

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Jody Vanessa Watley (born January 30, 1959) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and artist whose music crosses genres including pop, R&B, jazz, dance, and electronic soul.

In 1987, she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist and has been nominated for three Grammy awards.In 2008, she was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from Billboard magazine, and was also prominently featured in the historic black issue of Vogue Italia in 2008.

Her early music influences are Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, The Jackson 5, The Carpenters, Roberta Flack, Prince, Grace Jones and various jazz artists including Nancy Wilson.In December 2016 Billboard ranked her as the 21st most successful dance artist of all-time.

and in 2017 Black Music Honors TV special recognized Watley as Crossover Music Icon Honoree for her groundbreaking achievements and influence.In August 2018 Billboard ranked Jody Watley as one of the top female artists of all-time, at number 53.

Personal life and family

Watley has two children: a daughter, Lauren, with former fiancé and music producer Leon Sylvers III and a son Arie, with ex-husband Andre Cymone. She is the goddaughter of Jackie Wilson. Her younger sister is singer and former pornographic actress Michele Watley, better known as Midori.

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Early career

Watley was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Watley performed on stage for the first time at eight years old, with family friend and godfather Jackie Wilson. She got her start on Soul Train, a television dance competition. In her senior class poll, she was named "best dancer" at Dorsey High School. Jody Watley, one of the most popular dancers on the show and regarded as a trendsetter for her style and dance moves, was a member of "The New Generation" in 1977. Watley and fellow Soul Train dancer Jeffrey Daniel were selected to join Gary Mumford and become original members of the R&B group Shalamar by show creator Don Cornelius, as standouts on the television show. (Mumford was immediately replaced by Gerald Brown, and Brown Brown was promptly replaced as lead vocalist) Howard Hewett came shortly. Hewett, Watley, and Daniel's combination will be the most fruitful. Watley was with Shalamar from 1977 to 1983. The trio has released many albums and received many accolades, including the US Top 20 "Dead Giveaway," and "For The Lover In You" and "A Night To Remember." She lasted out of the company in 1983, prior to the unveiling of The Look album.

In 1984, Watley left England, and she sang of a guest vocal with British Jamaican roots reggae band Musical Youth for their album, Different Style! She also performed with Gary Langan, Anne Dudley, and J.J Jeczalik (who later became Art of Noise). She had a short stint with Phonogram Records (no second name) "Where the Boys Are" and "Girls Night Out" during her time in Europe (but not America). She appeared on "Do They Know It's Christmas" by Bob Geldof, Boy George, Sting, George Michael, David Moore, George Michael, Philip Collins, Status Quo, Bananarama, and other well-known UK artists during this period and after leaving the group.

Solo career

Watley left England and signed a recording contract with MCA Records, eager to establish her own name. Jody Watley, her debut solo studio album, was released in March 1987, and she co-wrote six of the album's nine songs. Watley will say in an interview with Rolling Stone that she wanted to promote her voice against "really funky hard dance tracks." The album's lead single, "Looking for a New Love," became a hit and was named Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album debuted at number ten on the US Billboard 200, ranked one on the Top R&B/Hip Albums chart, and it has sold 2 million copies in the United States and a total of 4 million copies worldwide. "Looking for a New Love" (#56); "Some Kind of Lover" (#10); "Most of All" (#60); "Looking for a New Love") produced by Bernard Edwards of Chick; "Looking for a New Love" (#60); "Looking for a New Love" (#56); "Don't You Want Me" (#60); and "Most of All" (#10); "Looking for a

Watley received the award for Best New Artist at the 30th Annual Grammy Awards of 1988, and she was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. She received two MTV Video Music Awards and three Soul Train Awards in the same year. She had two singles after Shalamar under the name of "Jody", even though Smash Hits, a UK pop magazine, said she was "Formerly of Shalamar." This "technology" (no second name), allowing her to be dubbed a "New Artist" at the Grammy's, including Terence Trent D'Arby and Swing Out Sister, Teresa D'Arby. Watley will be photographed by Francesco Scavullo in Harper's Bazaar magazine just shy of winning the Grammy.

Watley co-wrote eleven of the album's 12 songs in 1989, when she released her second studio album, Larger Than Life. The album has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide, including four singles; "Real Love" certified Gold by the Royal Institute of British & Blue (US #2, #1 R&B, #1 Dance, UK #1); and "Looking for a New Love" featuring Eric B. The album debuted in 1987, with Gold on the front page; "Real Love" certified gold by the Royal Academy (US #2, #1 R&B, #21; and first Top 40 UK single since "Looking for ; Rakim (#9, #3 R&B, #7 Dance, UK #211) was the first R&B, Pop, Rap, Dance, and Dance collaboration to crack the top ten on several charts; and "Everything" (US #4, #3 R&B) was the first R&B, Pop, Rap, and Dance collaboration, her first ballad to be released as a single. "Precious Love," the album's fourth and final single, debuted at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100, gaining a minor hit. "Mates" is the first multi-format hit single to feature a guest rapper with the custom full 16-bar verses and bridge design, and it's distinguishable from Melle Mel's rap "I Feel for You" on Prince's album "I Feel for You." The good "Mates" formula would become a mainstay in commercial pop music, and it was inserted as a category under the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2002.

At the 1989 ceremony, the "Reality Love" video, directed by Hollywood filmmaker David Fincher, was nominated for seven MTV Video Music Awards, including Breakthrough Video, Best Art Direction, Best Dance Video, and Best Female Video. In 1995, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson's video "Scream" received 11 VMA awards. She was nominated for two Soul Train Awards, an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist, and the Best Selling R&B Female Album of the Year last year. She was riding high on her Larger Than Life World Tour, a remix album titled You Want to Dance with Me? was released in October 1989 and received Gold status in America. Watley appeared in Harper's "Most Beautiful Women" collection in 1989, as photographed by Matthew Rolston. Watley appeared on the front page of the Japanese high fashion magazine SPUR for its debut issue last year. Watley introduced "Dance to Fitness," the first for an African-American woman and artist.

Watley would claim that she was keen to expand her musical range and image, and that she no longer wanted to be seen as just a dance diva. She was led by a more reflective approach to "Affairs Of The Heart," seeking to address social issues. Watley's third album, Affairs of the Heart, was released in December 1991 by Justin Kantor in Guide to Soul as an overlooked standout from her 1980s and 1990s output. The album reached No. 1 on the charts. On the US chart, 124 on the US chart and #21 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart.

"I Want You," the lead single, fell to No. 40, despite peaking at No. 1. On the Billboard Hot 100 chart, there are 61, though peaking at No. 61. The US R&B singles chart ranks 5 on the charts and #17 Dance. "I'm The One You Need" is the second single on the charts. Dance and performed at No. 3 in the United States, with a record of No. 1 in the world. 19 on the US Hot 100. "It All Begins With You," the ballad's first single to leave the US Hot 100. President George H. Bush had invited Watley to perform this song at the White House in 1992. Watley used the opportunity to pressurise the government to continue to provide more funding for public schools. The film Switch was a hit for Watley's "It's All There" with composer Henry Mancini.

Watley, who was apparently unconcerned by disappointing sales, said she was more worried about expanding her creative boundaries than in having huge record sales. MCA's fourth solo album, Intimacy, was released in November 1993. Amy Linden, who was unaware that the latest jack swing was hot in R&B at the time, said in People magazine that Intimacy began with Watley's shift toward more mature themes, and that Watley was deserving of serious attention. Watley herself said that the songs she wrote were always personal opinions.

Intimacy's songs of "romance and angst" have soared to No. 1 in the country. On the US Top 200 Album Chart and No. 164, with 164 on the top 200 Album Chart and No. On the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart, 38 positions are at number 38. "Your Love Keeps Working On Me" was the first single to crack the Hot 100 at No. 1.0. The 100's were also at No. 1 and were also ranked No. 1 in the world rankings. No. 2 Dance and No. 3 No. R&B/Hip-Hop, #26. For the forthcoming single, Watley's spoken word song "When a Man Loves a Woman," she added video editor to her resume. "When A Man Loves A Woman" reached No. No. No. 11 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop and the United States No. 1 is a male rapper. 8 Dances. Despite being not a pop hit in the United States or United Kingdom, the BBG Remix of this song dominated the Dance charts in the United Kingdom. The album also included the song "Ecstasy," which became an underground hit and later appeared on her Greatest Hits compilation. "Intimacy" would not be a popular seller, as its predecessor, "Intimacy" will not be a hit, but Watley will continue to give Watley better critical success.

Watley left MCA Records to start Avitone Records in July 1995 and released her fifth studio album, Affection. The booker T. Jones and Angelo Earl engineered and produced the album. Avitone was endorsed by Sheridan with the independent Bellmark Records for distribution. The release lacked energy and immediacy of her dance-era hits, according to a review of Jose Promis of Allmusic's album "Affection," but it was an enjoyable series of slow burners, mid-tempo, and jazzy R&B. "Affection"'s album's title track didn't crack the Hot 100, but it became a modest R&B hit, peaking at No. 1. On the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, the 28th is the highest singles & Tracks chart.

Watley played Rizzo in the musical Grease on Broadway in New York City in 1996, becoming the first African American woman to perform the role. Victor Skrebneski of Saks Fifth Avenue Defining Style Fall Catalog, where she appeared in a 15-page high fashion layout. Watley appeared on Babyface's platinum-selling album "This Is For The Lover In You" this fall. LL Cool J and Watley's former Shalamar bandmates Howard Hewett and Jeffrey Daniel were among the original members of the band, effectively ending the group for the single. It was a recreation of Shalamar's R&B hit "For The Lover In You." Watley took a break from her own Avitone label and signed with Big Beat/Atlantic Records as the year came to an end. Watley's recordings for MCA made her Best Hits album this year.

Flower, Watley's sixth studio album, spent the majority of 1997 on recording her sixth studio album, "Off The Hook" and "If I'm Not In Love" were two of the lead singles in early 1998. "Off The Hook" peaked at No. 1 at No. 1. On the Billboard Singles Chart and No. 23, 23 people appear, with No. 23 and No. Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart debuted at 73, but it fared much better on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. The track debuted at No. 81, with remixes from Masters At Work and Soul Solution (Dance act). Making it her first No. 1 on the dance chart, she takes first place. In nine years, the Hot Dance Music/Club Play Hits. A single of "If I'm Not In Love" was released later this year, with promotional mixes by BK Dano), Lenny Bertoldo, and 95 North (Richard Payton and Doug Smith) and that song reached No. 9. 2 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. Big Beat Records was integrated into Atlantic Records, which later shelved the album from a US release, leaving it in limbo for two years. However, flower was available in Canada, Great Britain, and Japan. Many UK newspapers, including Blues and Soul and Echoes, supported the critically acclaimed launch. "Baby Love," a previously unveiled song starring Watley and George Duke, was released as a bonus track on The Best of George Duke The Electra Years in 1997.

Watley claims she was inspired by 4Hero's 1998 album Two Pages, which she later credits with not resigning after the disappointment of how Flower was handled. Vol. 27: The Saturday Night Experience Vol. 1, as Watley's music historian David Nathan said.

Jody relaunched her independent label Avitone in November 1999 and launched her seventh studio album, Jody Watley Vol. 1. A collection of organic club music tracks influenced by her newfound love of electronic music. It was only released in Japan with the single "Another Chapter" as a single, "Another Chapter," and DJ Soma's remixes. The "Saturday Night Experience" was also included in the project. "The Saturday Night Experience was supposed to be a concept album aimed at people looking for something different," Watley said. The Saturday Night Experience, as told by music historian David Nathan, Watley said she had no intention to announce the project in the United States. Ron Trent's title song of the same name was licensed to Giant Step and included on their compilation "Giant Sessions, Volume 1 Mixed." The Millennium Collection: The Best of Jody Watley, MCA's 20th Century Masters, published the following year.

In 2001, Jody released Midnight Lounge, Europe and Japan, her eighth studio album. "An artist should always explore new frontiers," Watley said in a Billboard magazine interview. "Midnight Lounge" was a collection of tracks that mixed a mix of soul, jazz, R&B, and electro club music.

Watley arranged for it to be released in the United States through her Avitone imprint in a short-term license agreement with Shanachie Records on March 11, 2003, after modest success in its initial release. Watley's first studio album in the United States in eight years, debuting on Billboard's Top Electronic Albums chart, achieving Top 20 positions. "I Love to Love," Roy Ayers' film "I Love to Love," was produced by Masters At Work. Junior Vasquez and several other musicians contributed remixed "Whenever" to a single release, bringing the track to No. 1. The Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play Chart currently has 19 entries on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play Chart. With mixes by Phil Asher and East West Connection, one of the album's other singles, "Photographs" became extremely popular in the underground club scene. Watley's music and development would be lauded for the project and Watley's success, noting that she had successfully updated her sound over the years and transformed into a vivacious chanteuse.

When Watley re-released her 1987 hit "Looking For A New Love" on Curvve Recordings, she made history on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play Chart. The 2005 remake debuted at No. 1 in the United States. She is the first artist to play the same song on the Billboard Dance/Club Play chart, putting her on the first artist to perform the same song to No. 1. In two separate decades, there have been two in two separate decades. Jody Watley has the distinction of being one of the few artists to have made it to No. 1 in the United Kingdom. In all of the last three decades (the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s), Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart has risen in all of its segments (the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s). Watley was chosen to attend the Force of Nature Relief Concert in order to help the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake victims. During the trip, Watley and others (including The Black Eyed Peas, Lauryn Hill, and Jackie Chan) were invited to the Royal Palace to express their appreciation for those who were concerned with Force of Nature.

In an experimental musical style, the Makeover would bring Watley and King Britt together with 4Hero and King Britt, among other things. Understanding the evolving market landscape and the evolving business models, Watley's Avitone Recordings arranged for The Makeover to be exclusive to the Virgin Megastore chain in its first ever CD exclusive. It debuted at No. 2 in the United States. 1 for the store was the first in the United Kingdom, and she was joined by a Virgin mini-tour where she entertained for clients and signed CDs. Madonna's "Borderline" was the first single to be covered. The single debuted at No. 1. In January 2007, there were two on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts. The second single, a cover of Chic's "I Want Your Love," debuted at No. 3. In June 2007, there was no one on the Hot Dance Music/Club Tour in 2007.

Watley was ranked No. 1 on the charts in 2007. The year's Billboard Dance Play Artists are ranked 5 in the Year-Endance. "I Want Your Love" was no. 1 on her single "I Want Your Love." No. 15 and "Borderline" No. According to the 2007 Billboard Year End Chart Review, 19 people were among them. "I Want Your Love" made the UK dance charts in January 2008, giving her her first U.K. mainstream dance debut in two decades. She opened an online music store in 2008, when scoring another Top-five single, "A Beautiful Life," bringing the total number of Top Five Singles for The Makeover to three. Watley performed at Life Ball, Europe's biggest gala for the cause held in Vienna, Austria, in May 2008. He was continuing his support for several charities dedicated to raising funds and awareness of HIV and AIDS. The Avitone of Watley's Watley signed a distribution contract with London-based Alternative Distribution Alliance Global in May 2009.

A "International" version of "The Makeover" was launched in the United Kingdom in October 2009, receiving raves. As the album's debut on the album, Pete Lewis of Blues & Soul referred to her growth as an artist and performer. Watley was also praised by some as exemplifying the 21st century recording artist's continuing to pursue her own artistic path. The Makeover "International Edition" had new cover art and track listing, making it distinguishable from the initial release. The new inclusions included a reworking of Diana Ross' "Love Hangover," a sparsely arranged version of Carole King's 1960s ballad "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," Erasure's anthem "A Little Respect," and a new interpretation of Carole King's "Waiting in Vain." Watley performed the new arrangement originally suggested by songwriter Pam Sawyer for Ross, resplacing the downtempo ambient version on the 2006 "The Makeover." Watley's ability to handpick songs and make them seem as if they were written for her, according to Reg Dancy of Basic Soul. Marco Zappala from Brazil and Craig C. from the United Kingdom were among the artists' line-up, which included King Britt, Mark de-Clive Lowe, 4Hero, DJ Spinna, and longtime collaborator Rodney Lee.

Jody Watley appeared onstage at a VH1 concert "Looking For a New Love" in February 2010 and also appeared in the VH1 documentary "The Hippest Trip In America" in February. Watley appeared in the one-time international humanitarian musical event Loving the Silent Tears, which featured performers from 16 countries and cultures, conceived by Al Kasha directed by Vincent Paterson and choreographed by Bonnie Story at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on October 27, 2012.

On singles titled "Cold Enough" and "Dancing Out" featuring Young Empires in December 2012 and June 2013, Jody Watley performed collaborations with the electro pop duo French Horn Rebellion. In Chengdu, China, Watley performed at the Chengdu Sports Centre and Essence Music Festival in July 2013, bringing Grammy All-Stars to Chengdu, China.

In 2013, Jody Watley performed "Nightlife" for the first time. The album, which marked a return to disco dance, was a Top 5 British Urban Single, Top 10 Commercial Pop Singles Week, and Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Top 20 Singles in 2014.

The EP "Paradise" by Watley's long-running Avitone label, digital shops, and limited edition CD exclusively available on her official website on July 28, 2014, as well as 5 new songs and collaborations with musician and guitarist Miguel Atwood Ferguson, as well as newcomers Count de Money (France), and Soulse (UK) and Soulpersona (UK) Jody Watley collaborated with music new jack pop duo French Horn Rebellion.

Watley, a well-documented original Shalamar resident, became the legal owner of Shalamar in 2014, but not without challenge. Watley will explain that the word "Reloaded" was to make sure the general public understood that this wasn't a reunion with current members and that the group was rebranding the company would be a challenge to a new generation, as well as finding a way to bring both catalogs together for a memorable concert experience. Watley launched a new online boutique dedicated to Shalamar products in conjunction with her long-established Jody Watley Boutique, which opened in 1999. A series of new American Tour Dates in favor of Paradise and the recently reloaded Shalamar appeared, including Oakland, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, San Jose, Washington, D.C. Sacramento, Atlantic City, and others. Television in major markets and concerts has grown in and out of the United States, including Brazil, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, with television broadcasting in major markets and concerts including television in major markets and concerts. Rosero McCoy and newcomer Nate Allen Smith, an Ohio native dancer, choreographer, and choreographer Shalamar Reloaded launched "SlowDance" on July 17, 2015 through Watley's Avitone label. The single was later picked up by independent label Spectra Music Group and unveiled on October 20, 2015, along with a new Damien Sandoval video. In a SIRIUSXM Special "In The Groove" starring B.K. Kirkland, Jody Watley and the new trademarked Shalamar were also included in a SIRIUSXM Special "In The Groove," which aired in July of 2015. Nate Smith and Rosero McCoy were on television appearances on Chicago's WGN Morning News debut and KTLA Morning News with Sam Rubin It was also revealed that the ever-ethnic Watley will be a guest vocalist on Rolling Stone's highly acclaimed funkster Dam-Funk's second album "Invite The Light" from Rolling Stone. Tour dates in the United States continue to be added by Jody Watley and Shalamar Reloaded. They have also appeared at festivals in the United Kingdom, including Let's Rock London. As of 2015 and 2016, Jody has also taken to Shalamar Reloaded to Japan, Brazil, and Netherlands, and then added them to Superfreestyle arena dates in America. Watley made the decision in 2016 to redirect her efforts to the now-formed Shalamar Reloaded, aiming for a fresh start for her new team without the negativity and baggage. Shalamar Reloaded continues their quest for a new base, with their second single and video "O.R.I.G.A.L" announcing in May 2016 and a string of critically well received concerts. Shalamar Reloaded upgraded their name and all social media to a single SRL in concerts and promotions in 2017, with plans to debut "Bridges" as the first album. Watley rebranded her music bandwagon again in 2017, opting for Jody Watley & SRL (Soul Revolution Love). Any previous launches were either completely removed from digital outlets or social media pages, or even entirely deleted entirely. With a remix by Italian producer Alex Di Cio, the Mood" was a top-three UK Soul Chart Single at the start of 2018. Watley's jazzy makeover of the classic "Waiting In Vain" made her first appearance in the Billboard Magazine Top 25 and Smooth Jazz Top 10.

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