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Jody Watley

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.

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@CokoClemons Thank you, it's mutual! I really appreciate Twitter for being able to connect w/ my sisters in music - no red tape!
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Latest bulletin 12.24.09

EW.com Popwatch Shows Jody Watley Holiday Love

http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/12/24/jody-watley-christmas-time-is-here-best-carols/

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Dec 24, 03:09 PM

Ew.com Popwatch Shows Jody Watley Holiday Love

http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/12/24/jody-watley-christmas-time-is-here-best-carols/
Dec 23, 12:58 PM

Jody Watley on Eurweb: The Makeover Part Two Talks Plastic Surgery & Shalamar

http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur58244.cfm
Dec 23, 12:57 PM

Jody Watley on Eurweb: The Makeover Part One

http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur58185.cfm
Dec 08, 09:12 AM

Jody Watley Ushers In The Holiday Season

Listen!
http://soulbounce.com/soul/2009/12/jody_watleys_ushers_in_the_holiday_season.php
Dec 05, 09:15 AM

"Why We Love Jody Watley"

Click the link to read:
http://jodywatleynremix.wordpress.com/why-we-love-jody-watley/
Dec 01, 08:29 AM

Eurweb UK Corner: Jody Watley The Makeover Review

Jody Watley sounds as fresh as she did when she first stepped into the limelight in the late seventies. This Chicago native has embraced a more European sound under a new UK distribution deal.

In the eighties she rivaled Janet Jackson and Madonna for MTV nominations. Today, she may not be as visible in the mainstream as those artists, but she has carved out a niche for herself in jazzy electronic soul. She has been made over into a new force to be reckoned with, and maintains 20 million record sales and a Grammy award.

Departing from her roots in R&B group Shalamar, on this album, Watley makes a number of covers her own. Standout cuts include a soulful remake of the Bob Marley classic Waiting in Vain, a dramatic re-working of Madonna’s Borderline, a stirring rendition of Diana Ross’ Love Hangover and an adaptation of Chic’s I Want Your Love.

Watley says:
“The makeover is a reflection of the music that has inspired much of my work the past decade. I’ve taken songs I love and brought them into the present. As a songwriter and producer, I wanted to compliment the project with two original compositions, reminding people that I’m a songwriter as well.”

The catchy A Bed of Roses co-written and produced by Mercury Music Prize nominees 4hero, is one of the few original tracks. Having so many covers has the drawback that people just discovering Jody Watley will have to pay attention to find out who she is.

However, her interpretations of the songs she performs are telling. Her delivery of the Carpenters’ Close To You both pays respectful homage while emoting vulnerability and wisdom.

Watley says:

“The makeover’ is a nice way for me to direct lovers of quality music across the bridge as I continue to make over my own musical journey after three decades in music. It’s important to me that people recognise how much my music has grown, as I have.”

Watley has certainly grown as an artist, now on her ninth studio album, in her time she has worked with Birmingham’s Musical Youth, Bob Geldof’s Band Aid, George Michael and one of her key influences, Stevie Wonder.

Hers is also the memorable voice on Babyfaces’s This Is (For The Lover In You).

There are few guest appearances on this album bar Voshaun Gotti on Friends, a remake of her ground breaking 1989 collaboration with Eric B and Rakim (one of the first to feature a singer and rapper).

Pioneering, Watley has found a formula to keep the party going and fans dancing with tracks such as Midnight Lounge and Nu Love. This album shows that when the clock strikes 12, this Cinderella, who is as iconic in fashion and beauty circles as the title track underlines, can afford to lounge simply because she has earned her glass slippers and while she has one foot in the past, her finger is squarely on the pulse of what is happening in music.

The international version of the Makeover is out now on Avitone Recordings/ADA Global

Hear tracks on Watley’s myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/jodywatley

The UK Corner covers urban entertainment from a British perspective and is written by Fiona McKinson. She is a freelance journalist and creative writer based in London. Contact her at info@thetalentshow.co.uk.
Nov 05, 12:30 PM

Jody Watley: SoulfoodMusic- "The Return of a Legend"

Get Updated on "The Makeover" International Here:
http://bit.ly/rgt2B
Oct 18, 10:13 AM

Jody Watley "The Makeover" : Basic Soul U.K. & Aria

NEW! "The Makeover" Reviews:
http://www.basic-soul.co.uk/reviews/
http://rhythmic.blogdrive.com/archive/242.html
Oct 12, 12:32 PM

Jody Watley on Soulbounce.com

I appreciate SoulBounce for letting the fans know about 'The Makeover'.
http://soulbounce.com/soul/2009/10/jody_watleys_much_needed_makeover_coming_soon.php#more
Oct 09, 11:28 AM

Jody Watley Chats with David Nathan on SoulMusic.com

Read it Here OR Download podcast.
http://bit.ly/18t9UB

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Latest bulletin 12.24.09

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