My interview with David Mitchell takes on the business of Shalamar and topics that also include; "a hit-blazing solo run, and her latest endeavor “Nightlife,” the kick-off single from her forthcoming project, Paradise." Another must read: HERE
Taking the elegant and funky vibes to San Diego's Anthology for another rare LIVE concert appearance complete with a new music preview. I hadn't realized it, but several have asked if I knew this was the 25th year anniversary of my solo debut - which I didn't. We'll be celebrating that too - time flies!
I hope the New Year is off to a terrific start for everyone and I hope your holiday was full of bliss - or at least not too much stress. Happy New Year!!!
My posts haven't been as frequent while I have been trying to decide if I should consolidate the blog into my website or keep it separate.
Whether your plans are big or the philosophy is to take small realistic steps to a greater goal or resolution; the thing is to do it, get started - Get moving towards your goals.
Most of us fall short and it's human nature to get discouraged. Don't beat yourself up if you fall off or fall short - just start over.
Pictured with Mark Shimmel (former manager) President and First Lady Bush
I appreciate this post from Soulbounce on "Affairs Of The Heart".
The great thing about music is it's always here for a fresh listen often free of long ago preconceived notions or expectation as a fan.
Music at the time of this release was shifting to rump shaking new jack swing, misogynist gangster rap / hip-hop, and a more ghetto-ized street aesthetic that major labels were eager to promote and market. I'd re watched "Eyes On The Prize" and the movie "Boyz In The Hood" around the same time and was very impacted by it.
MCA had been sold to Japanese electronics giant Matsushita and every executive involved in my first album was long gone (departing shortly after the release of my second album), play lists were on their way to becoming corporate and limited in their scope with FCC deregulation on the horizon.
I don't regret not singing about shaking my ass. There was a lot of pressure at the time for me and I sacrificed the monetary support of my label to continue on my journey as the artist I wanted to become. I'd be lying if I told you I never looked back and asked myself what I was thinking. However, as Oprah would say 'what I know for sure' is that my desire to be authentic to who I am and to not succumb to just getting the cash is inescapable. I am who I am.
To their credit, I'm still grateful to MCA (Universal) for always allowing me from my solo debut until the end of my contract; to make the music and style statements I wanted to make. To co-write my songs, handpick my collaborators/producers, art directors, photographers, and so on. As a woman, that's always a struggle because you are always under pressure to sex it up more and if you're black to be "more street, and less sophisticated."
One of the most amazing things that happened from this album was that I was invited to The White House by the President George Bush and First Lady Barbara after seeing me sing "It All Begins.." on Good Morning America in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Day - which was in itself a poignant and meaningful opportunity. Regardless of politics, it was a huge honor for me and made the entire album worthwhile. Blessings don't always come courtesy of the Hot 100 or the top of any chart - fans don't know that.The universe has it's own way. Singing that song for my father and having all of that happen took the sting of disappointment away from the lack of enthusiasm from commercial minded fans and skeptics. I made a speech about supporting public education to a bipartisan crowd. This is one of the things I was reminded of today while reading the post from Soulbounce.
All of my music was and is always from my heart regardless of the circumstance or what I'm working through in my personal life. I love music and respect the power of it as well beyond it being a means of entertainment.
There are so many favorites from 'Affairs of The Heart' I can't name just one, but here a few brief anecdotes:
'Stolen Moments' - very special I wrote it while I was living in London post Shalamar as the result of a very unhealthy relationship that I felt powerless in.. "I don't want to live in the back seat - so make your mind.." I was nearly in tears when I sang that line, it was really a plea to someone I loved and who'd led me to believe he felt the same, it's my innocence and a coming of age in a way - we've all be there.
Stolen Moments also means a lot because it was also my nod to Motown which had been so inspirational for me as a little girl - the power of music and listening to songs on the radio..as I'm typing this actually - it's one of my favorite songs I've ever done.
'Affairs of The Heart' - the title song is what I feel about music.
'Commitment of Love' - is one of my favorite vocals. I wanted it to be a spring/summer single at the time because I thought and still do, it was a wonderful potential wedding song.
The R&B crowd would never fully embrace me is what I was told by 'the gatekeepers' and close knit R&B syndicate. I didn't /don't fit a mode of comfort, outside the R&B mold, lingering resentments against me from my decades old Shalamar departure etc. - that's another post of which I have many thoughts and observations in the realm of R&B.
'I Want You' - the jam
'Strange Way' - I was working through some things - I'll just say it was awkward to record as a lot of my early songs were because I co-wrote it and was singing in studio the person it was about.
'Until The Last Good-bye' (written during a separation in my marriage)
'I'm The One You Need' (self confidence was growing - love the attitude, very
'Looking For A New Love' in a different way but with that empowering recognize your value vibe)
'It All Begins With You' (recorded to honor my father)
Read "Soulbounce's Class of 1991: Jody Watley Affairs Of The Heart" - Here
I attended beauty blogger's event "Beauty Social" as the guest of Afrobella, Dre Brown and Mr. Billy B today in Santa Monica, California. today Listening to the "Brown Girl's Beauty" panel was empowering and fun. My friend, Mr. Billy B. brought a refreshing down to earth Q&A with his distinct honesty and humor. I first worked with Billy B. for 'The Makeover" (beauty as well as those faux plastic surgery pics) and the video for "A Beautiful Life," where we played around with a multitude of looks.
It was so nice to meet Patrice Yursik of Afrobella at Billy's cocktail reception last night. I spotted her walking in as I talked in the entryway of Billy's garden with Belinda Carlise's adorable son Duke. I exclaimed "Afrobella, my Facebook and Twitter friend!", before she had a chance to look up to see me.
Dre Brown blogger for Beautylish was incredibly warm and enthusiastic, I felt like she was an instant sister girlfriend. I felt very welcome and appreciated. For some reason the past couple of days reminded me of the Dr. Seuss classic tale "Oh, The Places You'll Go", a favorite of mine.
With actress, comedienne Kim Coles
Mr. Billy B. working the pink carpet.
With Patrice Yursik, Afrobella
Mr. Billy B. talking beauty, defining success and working with Lady Gaga in Q&A
A montage of highlights and favorite moments from the Jody Watley summer concert tour in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan at Billboard Live. I love playing this venue so much.
The summers concerts incorporated a lot of 'waacking'; a style of dance that I started doing as a teenager. I previewed 3 new songs from my work in progress "Chameleon" project. It made sense to spotlight the dance because the new music is partially influenced by disco, funk and electro. There's a scene in the video where the stage is full of people waacking, one of which is Cleveland Moses Jr. who has lived in Osaka for decades, we used to be in a dance group called "The Outrageous Waack Dancers". We were profiled in Ebony Magazine in an issue called "The New Generation" back in 1978. Read the article: Here
'Waacking' has a growing international following of young people who have discovered and embraced the freestyle dance. While I was in Japan, my drummer Donnell Spencer Jr. who'd just returned from China presented me with video footage of some teenagers there who upon learning he worked with me filmed a special message for me and then proceeded to 'waack' to my classic video "Still A Thrill".
Jody Watley and Takako Utsumi (Illustrator). Tokyo, Summer 2011
On my trip to Japan last week, I had the pleasure of meeting Takako Utsumi who me presented me with these incredible illustrations. She did a phenomenal job with the detailing (down to including my signature handheld fan open and closed). I love the Japanese Kimono designs and use of color as well.
I'm wearing a piece of illustrated art on a honey colored T-shirt with my likeness from "Larger Than Life", my second album from 1989. I don't know the name of the guy who drew it, but I remember he gave it to me in New York City when I performed at Summerstage with Masters At Work back in 2003 (I sang 'I Love to Love' which also featured Roy Ayers). I was in awe of this illustration and still am. I'm sure photographer Steven Meisel, who was behind the lens for the original photo would also approve. It's cool when people get the details of a person's features and the nuances that make us all unique. I'd like to reproduce this shirt for my online boutique - maybe the artist will read this blog and say yes to the idea.
I have a few gorgeous giant art pieces hanging in my house that were given to me professionally framed. I've also kept many small works of art that I also cherish. that someone would take their time to create their art because of their appreciation of mine is something I never take for granted or dismiss.
My green pashmina and lace fan are also gifts - I'm a lucky lady!
A new bit of flair added to the classic 'Desert Boot' from Missoni. I have to say these made me think of being in Junior High when they were a must have for girls and boys who wanted to feel cool and in style. If you had on some desert boots, you walked with a bit more attitude. This is a fond memory thinking of it now.
I had a crush on a boy named Kenny (isn't there a cute guy named Kenny at every school?), who wore a light brown pair all the time. Kenny was a star basketball player at the school and a senior (I was in 7th grade). He was tall, thin, ridiculously good-looking with paperbag brown skin. Kenny had a great smile with a big afro (a lot of girls were suckers for a guy with a big fro' and I was one of them too for a minute). The hilarious thing is Kenny didn't know I or any of my friends were alive, lol. My girlhood friends and I knew exactly when he'd be coming down the hall changing classes and where he sat during lunch.
We'd all be scrambling around and walking past him trying to be seen by him, like most of the girls at the school - but to no avail. Roller-skating was huge at the time. It was the thing to do on Saturday afternoons after Soul Train went off. Kenny was of course 'The Best Skater' and smooth as silk. To my shock, Kenny came up to me and asked to 'couple skate' once and I nearly fainted inside but played it totally cool. My friends and I gave each other a quick look sharing our own private moment as only we knew when it came to our collective Kenny crush.
All I could think of as we went around the rink was don't trip or fall and embarrass myself and most of all don't mess up and embarrass Kenny - as we glided around that floor in perfect precision.
I love that Rahsaan chose this piece of art to represent his state of 'Bleuphoria". His vision to go beyond the standard fare of male vocalists featuring a suit, tie and designer glasses is inspired. He chose to have a piece of art commissioned by Arte Da Saudade reflective more of his spirit than choice of fashion. That's what I call individual style!
Rahsaan Patterson's 'Bleuphoria' due to be released on July 19 is not to be missed. in my view this is his best most diverse musical art. I came to join a stellar cast of guest vocalists including Faith Evans, Lalah Hathaway and more chatting with Rahsaan via Twitter in a purely spontaneous moment - a benefit of realtime social media.
Photographer Victoria Pearson and I came across the Jeep "Hot Chocolate" while on location in downtown Los Angeles shooting photo's for my tour book. I didn't want the tour book to be a standard artist's tour book. The idea was for the book to be more like a fashion magazine. We seized the moment and set up the shot in minutes.
I'm wearing Jean Paul Gaultier (including the bangles), and bronze stiletto mules from Frederick's of Hollywood. I became a fan of Gaultier and began wearing his designs in 1984 while I lived in London. As with all of my imaging, there was never a stylist - just me wanting to reflect my own style and sense of self.
I've always loved knowing what I want to do, though remaining open for spontaneous moments like this.
I attended a funeral recently of a promising 22- year old who died in a tragic car accident on an otherwise uneventful morning a week ago. One of my young relatives (not one of my children) was at the wheel and severely injured, the young man was her brother. It was a moment that will forever change every one's life connected to this tragedy. I can only pray something positive will come of this, though right now it's difficult to know what that 'thing' is.
It's overwhelming and sad all the way around for family and friends. The pain was palpable and emotions were high.
What came to mind once again for me is how quickly life can be impacted or end. Your life can change in an instant. Don't waste time. Live, laugh, love and never take anything for granted.
It's how we live for the time we are here that counts most. I don't mean money, fame, and all of the superficial things people equate with "success". Think about your moments each day, who you have in your life and what you are doing with your time. Don't sweat the small stuff, people and things that won't matter at the end of your time here on earth.
It only takes a moment to see how vicious people can be online in particular to know a lot of folks have the meaning of life all wrong. I have been personally cyber-attacked many times, like most people in the public eye. The most recent was over something so silly but particularly hateful toward me because they felt I'd insulted one of their favorite singers and their queen in the spotlight from today's commercial music scene. It's not even worthy to give credence or energy to, beyond pondering the meaning of life, how crazy people and some fans can be and what one decides to devote their energy to. I've been an independent artist since 1995, and as such continue to learn a lot whether through college courses, fan polls, professional advice and so on and was stunned that my question posted at one of my networks generated such hatred. It was another learning experience for sure. People seem to think that calling a person old is something bad; I see it a lot not just when people try to insult me, but directed to anyone in the public eye over the age of 35.
The funny thing is first of all I'm older, not old; though I totally consider it a blessing to be my age and so seeing it made me laugh. Sitting at the service and thinking of this great family loss was potent. I'm grateful each day for what I've achieved and aspire to other great things big and small. Old? I can take that. Sitting next to my mother who is in her 70's is a blessing. When I look at my daughter and son, my heart is always joyful. My journey has been paved with more than I could have dreamed for myself. This young man was just getting started and had recently overcome a few obstacles in his life.
In the car that morning his options ended, I couldn't help but reflect what I'd recently experienced online and how ultimately insignificant the insults directed at me were.
Looking at his coffin and hearing the cry's of everyone, especially his mother and sister was a reminder that many don't get to make it for the long haul or old age. My father passed away at 49 and it certainly was a defining moment back in my early 20's about the meaning of life for me as I have spoken on before. I made a choice to be happy and to try as hard as I can to be as close to that place of joy and happiness as i can even when times are tough. You at least know you are walking your own path living for the best of your life - that's what's important. Do you have love in your life? Do you love yourself? Most of the trolls online, I pray for them because I know they don't have self love and are wasting time on hatred, instead of pursuing their own dreams and achieving them.
Sitting at the service amongst family and friends made me reflect further what's most important - here's a few thoughts that came to mind:
Don't waste time.
Never take anything or anyone for granted.
As Oprah would say "Live Your Best Life".
Be in the moment.
Pay attention.
Be responsible for the energy you put out.
Don't sit on or prolong conflicts with people you love - resolve things when they happen as best you can. You may not get a second opportunity.
Laugh.
Keep your sense of humor, you'll need it a lot.
Surround yourself with good people that bring out and want the best in you and vice versa.
Love.
__________________________
Rest in Peacefully. God bless the family to heal and Move forward.
Clutches are one of my favorite style of bags. I'm not a big over sized purse fan in most cases, although I have made exceptions. The Miu Miu leopard clutch is cool. As a working Mom you learn to navigate fickle industries, a poor economy and in general a shift in priorities. Those of us who still like to look pulled together and fashionable learn the tricks.
I opted for the look for less at H&M. The compliments have poured in. "Where did you get your bag?!" One of my longtime style secrets is that you don't have to spend big bucks to have items that add flair to your wardrobe. Mix and match.
For trendier looks, it's also wise to spend less and save the big coins for classics - or that school tuition!
No matter how educated (or lack thereof) and regardless of how well dressed or made up, financially independent or dependent, young or old, experienced or inexperienced - a bad attitude is still ugly no matter the form it comes in for many of the women of reality television as well as in life. Great wardrobe, glamorous hair, polished make-up, big bank account and even career achievement does not give anyone class. What you do and what you have does not define who a person is nor their character.
These shows expose and yes - exploit more of who these women really are. If you're naturally a conniving person, it's easier to be conniving in a competition. If you're too quiet and laid back, it's probably difficult to come out of that shell and you'll probably be eaten alive. Anyone who signs up knows exactly what they're getting in to; and we all know drama, backstabbing and controversy sells especially in entertainment. Remember the popular scripted shows Dynasty and Dallas? Viewers (myself included) loved to hate Alexis aka Joan Collins and enjoyed the classic catty scenes with Crystal aka Linda Evans.
It's annoying when people get too judgmental or condescending on TV or off and that includes participants in these shows. People have lessons to learn and personal growth to achieve, or let's hope so.
Be it for pure entertainment value, raising money for charity or simply looking for greater visibility for one's career; this thought is always in the back of my mind - as a viewer, professional and as a woman. It's all entertainment - but ugly is still ugly no matter how one tries to justify and no matter how dressed up.
It's how we LIVE that matters most. Surround yourself with people who love you and let them know you love THEM, don't wait. Create fun / good times whenever you can, they will make great memories. Weed out BS and BS people who don't mean you well. Time on earth is precious, value it. "Tomorrow's life is too late, live today"... - make it count!
Jody Watley is a style forging pioneer, innovator and Grammy Award winning recording artist and hit-making songwriter. She has amassed an incredible 32 Top Ten Singles in a diverse range of genres from Pop, Dance, and R&B from the 80's, 90's and 00's, 10's.
Jody Watley was named one of "America's Most Beautiful" by People Magazine and Harper's Bazaar, and has also been featured in fashion magazines around the world including the historic "The Black Issue" of VOGUE Italia.
She's also renowned for her trendsetting style including jumbo hoop earring many still refer to as 'Jody Watley Hoops.'
She has the quiet distinction as the first mainstream artist to incorporate a rapper with the customized 16 bar verse on her multi-format 1989 hit single "Friends" featuring Eric B and Rakim, wanting to go beyond the Melle Mel Chaka Khan song "I Feel For You" intro. Subsequent collaborations merging R&B/Pop with Hip-Hop/Rap became such successful formula in Pop Music and that The Grammy's added the Rap/Sung Category in 2002.
Watley's stylish video "Real Love" directed by Academy Award Nominated Director David Fincher remains one of MTV's Most Nominated videos.
Jody Watley released a Top 10 Fitness Video selling over a million copies titled "Dance to Fitness", a first for an African American Woman and Artist. Watley also appeared in the first celebrity ad campaign for GAP, LA Eyeworks and a previously unprecedented 15 page layout in the prestigious Fall Catalog for Saks Fifth Avenue photographed by the legendary Skrebneski.
To learn more visit her official website.
Jody Watley Vintage '89. Tour Book Cover Illustration
The Idea.
I've loved writing since I was a child, in addition to music, art, fashion, style, beauty, poetry and literature. I really wanted to find a way to incorporate beautiful and positive imagery as well as celebrating the beauty of diversity in the world in which we all live. The blog is also a way for me to showcase a rich history of style. My blog is intended to be positive and eclectic and for sharing another glimpse of Jody Watley beyond my music. Incorporating style, but making it bit more than just that. "StyleFile" is another creative outlet and extension for me.
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