Jody Watley Biography

Jody Watley is a GRAMMY®-winning, multi-platinum singer, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and style icon. Known for iconic Top 10 hits like “Looking For A New Love,” “Don’t You Want Me,” “Friends” ft. Eric B. & Rakim, and the gold single “Real Love” (with one of the most nominated videos in MTV history), Watley has built a diverse discography spanning R&B, Pop, Dance, Hip Hop, Electronic, Jazz, and Adult Contemporary from the 80s to today from mainstream to independent critically acclaimed. Her latest release, Let’s Dance Vol. 1, hit #1 on iTunes Top Dance Albums in July 2025.

An award-winning songwriter (BMI Medal of Honor, Women’s Songwriters Hall of Fame), Watley is also celebrated as a fashion and cultural trailblazer with features in GAP, l.a. Eyeworks, Harper’s Bazaar, VOGUE, Rolling Stone, and more. Widely regarded as a pioneer fusing music and style, she remains one of the architects of 21st-century Pop/R&B/Dance.

Jody Watley has never been one to follow trends—she sets them. Long before the term “independent artist” became a popular badge of honor, she was quietly blazing her own trail. In 1995, after a groundbreaking solo career that included a Grammy Award and a string of hit records with MCA, Watley founded Avitone Recordings—a bold move at a time when few women in music held that kind of creative control.

From the soulfully bold “Affection”, to the chilled electronica of “Midnight Lounge”, the remix-reimagined “The Makeover,” and the elegant serenity of “Paradise” and “Winter Nights” EPs—every release tells its own story. There’s even a jazzy bossa nova turn with “Waiting In Vain,” proving that Watley’s artistry knows no limits.

What makes her journey so inspiring isn’t just the longevity—it’s the authenticity. In an industry that often thrives on reinvention at the cost of identity, Watley’s evolution has remained rooted in purpose and soul.

A legacy of sound. A vibe that endures.

Jody Watley was 2017 recipient of the Black Music Honors ‘Crossover Music Icon’ Award for her early cultural influence and impact as a solo artist; other accolades include 2007 Billboard Dance Lifetime Achievement Award, along with nominations from the American Music Awards, MTV Awards, NAACP Awards and Soul Train Awards.

In 2018 Billboard Magazine included Jody Watley in the Top 60 Hot 100 Female Artists Of All Time and Top 25 Top Female Dance Artists Of All Time. A 2022 Inductee into the Women’s Songwriters Hall of Fame, Watley has also been recognized by performing rights organization BMI (Broadcast Music). “I’m really most proud to have songwriter and producer be a part of my resume and legacy as an artist.”

As a solo artist, the Pop and R&B singer-songwriter was awarded the prestigious Best New Artist GRAMMY Award in 1987, the third black artist in the history of the recording academy and broadcast to receive that honor.

Jody Watley is renowned as one of the defining female artists of the 80’s. To date, she has 6 Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Singles, 7 Number 1 Dance Singles, 2 R&B Number 1’s, 15 Top 40 Singles, Gold and multi-platinum albums, Gold single (Real Love), and Gold Greatest Hits video compilation.

Her vast discography also includes million selling greatest hits video compilation and fitness video (a first for a black woman in the genre). Other accolades include being included in People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful Issue, Harper’s Bazaar 10 Most Beautiful, appearances in early celebrity ad campaigns (GAP, Individuals of Style) l.a. Eyeworks and an unprecedented 15 page feature in the coveted Saks 5th Avenue Fall Catalog, inclusion in the 2008 historic “The Black Issue” of VOGUE Italia are all examples of her impact as a style icon.

Her vision-forward marriage in personal branding of couture styles, vintage and black girls outside the box street-wear visuals, her introduction of signature oversized hoop earrings all paired perfectly with her music showing the relationship between high fashion, club culture with breakthrough editorials in Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue Italia including the historic “The Black Issue” has quietly made Jody Watley one of music’s most influential women in music.

Her music has charted in other countries including Japan, Germany, Netherlands. In the UK, 5 Top 5 UK Soul Chart Singles, along with two Top 5 Commercial Pop / Urban singles add to her ongoing tally of hits though she says “Hits are great, though my priority is always simply writing and releasing quality music that can resonate with people in a positive way.”

Watley’s eventual fusion of jazz, and deep house music makes her a long time staple in underground club culture and dance music. From her groundbreaking marriage of rap & R&B (1989’s “Friends,” a collaboration with hip-hop legends Eric B. & Rakim providing two full verses; a pairing that is the first to crossover R&B/Hip-Hop, Pop and Dance into the Billboard Top 10 “Friends,” to her vision-forward marriage of high fashion, street fashion and music in the ‘80s (long before it became the norm), to her fusion of jazz and underground club culture with keen pop instincts, and the ease with which she crossed and still crosses genres, fused with cutting edge trendsetting style;Jody Watley forged the template that is now everybody’s playbook.

With her 2024 release the internationally embraced “EVERLASTING” which reach #2 on the UK Soul Chart in February of 2024, written and produced by Watley along with longtime collaborator jazz musician and former musical director Rodney Lee with additional production and remix by Italy’s renowned Alex Di Cio a favorite of UK Soul radio; Jody Watley continues to exemplify longevity and after long ago shattering the glass ceiling imposed upon her in a male dominated industry and exceeding limited perceptions. The single has also been released with dance remixes reaching #2 on the iTunes Dance albums chart and the a mix from the King of Modern Funk, DāM-FunK.

In 2023, during Women’s History Month SIRIUS XM launched the monthy limited run niche based ‘The Jody Watley Show’ focused on classic feel good R&B, select celebrity guests and Watley’s overall uplifting aestheic with style on their The Groove channel which was featured for the entire year. The campaign declared “She’s Got The Mic” with a massive billboard in New Yorks Times Square. Watley added another layer to an already storied career. Watley has proven her knack of reinvention and longevity, with other businesses that also include her independent label Avitone.

Watley was honored as Women of Excellence ‘Legend’ April 2024 by WDAS in Philadelphia at their 8th Annual Women of Excellence Luncheon as their signature award honoree.

Her vast ongoing influence and contributions to contemporary music and pop culture includes the signature Jumbo hoop earrings, yes she did that. The hoops remain a style staple for many in film, TV, reality stars. wanna be stars and fashionistas. The fan popping craze? Watley was at the forefront of today’s trend as a popular teen dancer on the iconic show Soul Train.

It was Jody Watley who coined the phrase “Hasta La Vista Ba-by’ later popularized by superstar actor Arnold Schwarzenegger in the blockbuster action film “Terminator: Judgement Day.”

She was honored with Jody Watley Day and a Presidential Award at the Georgia State Capital, receiving an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business in 2022. Jody Watley’s fashion forward “Real Love” directed by Academy award winning director David Fincher remains one of the most nominated in the history of the MTV Music Awards. Watley has nominations from the American Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards and Soul Train Awards.

Jody Watley appeared on Broadway as the iconic character Rizzo in the musical GREASE, the first black actress to do so, and was recognized by People Magazine in their 50 Most Beautiful People Issue. The first black woman to appear on a Japanese Fashion Magazine, supported by a massive television commercial and ad campaign throughout Japan are some of the of many ongoing milestones in an ongoing career full of reinventions and diverse endeavors.

June 2022 the multi platinum music icon was honored with Jody Watley Day at the Georgia State Capitol and received the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and became a 2022 inductee into the Women’s Songwriters Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C.

In 2021 Jody Watley was named as First Ambassador to the National Museum Of African American Music In Nashville.

The founder of independent music label Avitone Recordings, Watley has proved to be a true renaissance woman continuously growing and expanding her brand, adding to a continued relevance, legacy and as inspiration to others. Watley is also at the helm of Avid Music Management and Touring.

Watley’s activism has seen her involved in various causes over the decades promoting empowerment for women, LGBTQ rights and organizations focused on promoting HIV-AIDS Awareness and Prevention. She has served as Governor on the Los Angeles Chapter of The Recording Academy on various advocacy groups impacting change in the legislative realm as well as working with the Grammy U Program.

Watley has also been featured in various Rolling Stone music and fashion editorials along with various groundbreaking ad campaigns. Saks 5th Avenue featured Jody Watley in an unprecedented 15 pages in their popular fall catalogue. She was also named as one of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful issue among a long list of other accomplishments and breakthroughs in the fashion and beauty industry as a solo artist.

The Chicago native’s eclectic repertoire – R&B, hip-hop, House, jazz, pop, drum & bass, ambient, spoken-word – is built on a positive vision and a strong taste for artistic and aesthetic risk. Appointed as the first Ambassador to The National Museum of African American Music in 2021.

A brief stint as an original member of the Disco/R&B trio Shalamar was the beginning of her music career before her departure in July of 1983 after 5 1/2 years (1978-1983). Jody Watley kicked off her solo career while living in London, a part of the the historic 1984 UK charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas” Band Aid.

Two limited release dance singles for Phonogram Records UK in followed 1985. After returning to America signing with MCA Records. The monumental multiple platinum self-titled solo debut album was released in 1987, with a led off smash hit Top 5 multi-chart single “Looking For A New Love.”

Jody Watley is a multi-generational artist with a career filled with ongoing firsts and is cited as an influence and inspiration from young designers (A,Potts, Malan Breton and French shoe designer Jerome Rosseau who named a boot after Watley).

A range of artists including Tionne “T-Boz” from supergirl group TLC and renowned creatives in the art world such as Mickalene Thomas’ (“Better Nights” Art Basel Miami Installation), Cassandra Lane (We Are Bridges) and beyond. Producer Andre Cymone recently noted many female artists have taken notes from Watley.

“Everything I’ve ever done has been to be distinctively Jody Watley,” says the pop icon herself, “from my first solo album through right now. Everything that I will ever do always has to be authentic to me, work that I can always be proud of first and foremost. It’s not so much about, ‘Oh, this is going to be popular,’ or ‘Oh, this is going to be a big hit.’ It’s always been so personal to me, everything that I do. And the fans can feel that. They connect with the honesty.”

Watley’s ongoing musical output and sustained occupational stamina continues to defy the odds and go beyond expectations and narrow boxes often found in the music business.

Jody Watley continues to shine her ‘Wattage’ to illuminate the world.

Visit Jody Watley Music Discography Page for more about her diverse catalog

The Historic The Black Issue, VOGUE Italia 2008

People’s Magazine 50 Most Beautiful

Harper’s Bazaar Magazine America’s 10 Most Beautiful

GAP, first celebrity ad campaign

LA Eyeworks, first celebrity ad campaign

Dance to Fitness, First Number 1 Fitness Video by a woman of color and recording artist

First woman of color to play Rizzo on Broadway in the hit musical GREASE!

SPUR Japan, first woman of color to appear on the cover of a Japanese fashion magazine for the lauch of SPUR.

Fashion layouts include: Rolling Stone, Harper’s Bazaar, Saks Fifth Avenue Fall Catalog.

Jody Watley was a part of the historic Band Aid charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas”

Style Icon Since the 70’s as a teenaged dancer on the iconic TV show Soul Train:

“….with Jody emerging as a late 70’s style icon. She could rock silver shorts and red glitter converse sneakers, vintage 1940’s inspired dresses with pumps or her prom dress. Her hair was an ongoing adventure, sometimes filled with tons of ribbons, sometimes long ponytails, or a 1940’s hairdo..” – Nelson George from his book “The Hippest Trip In America – Soul Train and the evolution of culture and style – Harper Collins Books / William Morrow

One Of The Defining Artists of the 80s

Life Section, (February 16, 1996) Best Bets Jody Watley Greatest Hits – “..who set standards for fashion and music in the late 80’s.” USA Today

Pioneer, Influence and Connection to Hip Hop / R&B / Pop Crossover

Watley’s collaboration ‘Friends’ with Eric B and Rakim was the first to popularize the 16 bar rap solo coupled with Pop/R&B. This formula became a staple in contemporary music: Icons of Hip-Hop Culture: An Enclyclopedia of the Movement, Music, Culture, Vol. 1 2007 Greenwood Press by Mickey Hess ISBN-10: 0313339031

” With a respectful Kangol tip to Chaka Khan and Melle Mel and their Grammy winner ‘I Feel For You’ the successful team up of Eric B and Rakim would make permanent the now formulaic Pop/R&B singer X featuring a rapper X a prerequisite for a Billboard chart topper”. To The Break of Dawn: A Freestyle On The Hip-Hop Aesthetic by William Jelani Cobb, 2007 NYU Press Page 142 ISBN 0814716709, 9780814716700

“Chaka Khan’s 1984 single ‘I Feel For You’ famously included a rap intro from Melle Mel and Jody Watley enlisted the rhyme skills of none other than Rakim for an interlude on 1989’s “Friends”. In short order , the rap bridge became a standard part of the R&B song structure. “The Billboard Book of Number Two Singles Christopher Feldman, Jody Watley ‘Larger Than Life/Real Love” Publisher Watson-Guphill , ISBN 0823076954, 9780823076952000 The track ‘Friends’ was one of the first collaborations with a Pop/R&B singer and a hard-core rapper.

Harpers Bazaar May 1989, Photographed by Francesco Scavullo Pages 126-127 Jody Watley is making a substantial dent in the annals of hot pop history..her smashing good looks and style have not hurt her.. GAP Ad Campaign 1989 Individuals Photographed by Herb Ritts Subsequently released as a part of the GAP: Individuals “Portraits of The GAP Collection” Book Chronicling the ads used over the years. Publisher: Melcher Media 2006 Harpers Bazaar September 1990, “Americas Ten Most Beautiful Women” Issue Photographed by: Matthew Rolston Page 180-183 “The Hot Beauty” Watley is a student of style. She creates her own video concepts and styling .

Jody Watley combines seemingly contradictory elements with ease – the soulful with the mundane, the outrageous with the classic. ” – Anna McDowell People Magazine: America’s 50 Most Beautiful People May 09, 1990 http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20063273,00.html Rolling Stone Fall Fashion: Italian Collection Pages 9-13 Photographed by William Laxton Harpers Bazaar- November 1991, Photographed by Andrea Blanch Pages 142-145 “Irreverent, Irrestible Dance Diva Jody Watley has always brought bravura style and energy to the Pop-Soul party...

Watley’s reputation has rested on a rebellious fashion sense and a taste for uptempo.. “Affairs of The Heart” marks a shift in emphasis..” – Alan Light

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