Following the success of the single "Nightlife"featuring original lead Gerald Brown "Take That To The Bank" and revisiting her disco soul roots, Watley's new show will feature a new Shalamar segment along with her hits and new music, guaranteed to be a nightlife to remember!
I'm proud to be a part of GRAMMY history. Some artists, musicians and songwriters never reach a moment like this - and I'm always proud to have done it. It's doubtful that any moment would ever come close to winning such a major award the music equivalent of an Academy Award. at the time in my life when I did win this it meant and means so much. No one expected it, including me. God had a plan bigger than the one I saw for myself. Coming out of Shalamar making such a huge individual impact was rewarding and vindicating to say the least. I've always said that after winning the Grammy for "Best New Artist," I got on with my artistic journey evolving into the artist I wanted to be - never being trapped in the box or rendering myself to the creative commercial expectations of others. This isn't an easy path to take.
When sitting on a panel with music legend Smokey Robinson; he mentioned having one Grammy and lamented on how today they seem to give them out like 'Chiclets.' It was a surprise moment because with his track record as a songwriter and artist, you would think his mantle would be overflowing in with them. It gave me a moment of pause. Fans take so much for granted. Really and truly, it's not the quantity - though of course it would be awesome to have stacks of them, but it's very special to have reached that type of pinnacle - AT ALL. It could be 70 years ago or right now as a young artist making a name for themselves; savor the moment.
My Bio and Discography touches on the depth of my journey Pre- and Post post Grammy win thus far including my groundbreaking collaboration with Eric B. & Rakim "Friends" became a formula with the custom verses that continues to impact music today among other notable influences in Music, Video, Fashion, Celebrity Ads, Cross Marketing and Style across various platforms. I've charted and had success in each decade since. Longevity has many faces and paths - I represent one -- http://www.jodywatley.net
Style is individual and unique to each of us and it should evolve over time, with a distinct essence at the core.
As a note, for my GRammy night style on this occasion I wore a vintage cocktail dress personalized and funked up with customized leather Biker jacket.
"..making a substantial dent in the annuals of pop history" - Harper's Bazaar, jody Watley 1988 photographed by legendary Francesco Scavullo.
"The label at the time didn't want to pay the fare for the trip to New York, not understanding how appearing in a fashion magazine would help sell records or raise the artists profile..but I knew, so I paid for the trip myself. It wouldn't be long before labels would soon get it. I was familiar with the work of Scavullo because he'd photographed one of my inspirations growing up Diana Ross and I was an avid reader of VOGUE from childhood because my Mom always bought it. "
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 tweeted last night about 'Chameleon', as well as reminiscing on why I loved the disco era. There was some great music, and you can start with The Sound of Philadelphia.
Here are my tweets with regard to the music last night on Twitter:
Often when recording or writing a song, it's like considering a tattoo. How will it age, will I still enjoy it decades on :-)
Working on my 10th musical odyssey 'Chameleon'. Some of my best has gone under the radar, but iTunes has them all if u missed any
Electronic. Drum and Bass. Dance. Remixes. Pop. R&B..and umm..when I started out at 17 and in a group - disco.
I loved the disco era (got a bad rap) everyone got dressed up to go out. There was some good stuff in there..used to dance my heels off
I want you to feel like dressing up and getting funky on the dance-floor when you hear "Chameleon" and my songs you can sing out loud
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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