Jody Watley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jody Watley
Watley performing in 2022
Background information
Birth name	Jody Vanessa Watley
Born	(1959-01-30) January 30, 1959 (age 66) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Pop R&B hip hop soul dance new jack swing house
Occupations	Singer songwriter record producer radio host
Instruments	Vocals piano keyboards
Years active	1973–present
Labels	SOLAR MCA Atlantic Giant Step Records Avitone Records

Jody Vanessa Watley (born January 30, 1959) is an American singer, songwriter, and producer. She is known for her music that mixes pop, R&B, dance, and soul. In the 1970s and 1980s, she was a member of the popular R&B group Shalamar.

As a solo artist, she became a huge star. In 1988, she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. She has been nominated for three Grammy awards in total.

Over the years, Watley has received many honors. Billboard magazine gave her a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. In 2017, she was recognized as a Crossover Music Icon at the Black Music Honors. Billboard also ranked her as one of the greatest female artists and greatest dance artists of all time.

In 2021, she was named the first-ever ambassador of the National Museum of African American Music. She has also received an honorary doctorate degree and a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from U.S. President Joe Biden.

Early Life and Career

1977–1983: Soul Train and Shalamar

Jody Watley in 1977

Jody Watley was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her godfather was the famous singer Jackie Wilson, and she first appeared on stage with him when she was only eight years old.

When she was 14, she became a dancer on the popular TV show Soul Train. She quickly became one of the show's most popular dancers because of her unique style and cool dance moves.

The creator of Soul Train, Don Cornelius, chose Watley and another dancer, Jeffrey Daniel, to form the R&B group Shalamar. With lead singer Howard Hewett, the group became very successful.

From 1977 to 1983, Shalamar released many hit songs, including "The Second Time Around," "A Night to Remember," and "Dead Giveaway." Watley left the group in 1983 because of disagreements about money and the group's musical direction.

After leaving Shalamar, Watley moved to England. She worked with several British artists and even took part in the famous Band Aid charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" alongside stars like Bono and George Michael.

Solo Career

1987–1988: A Huge Debut

Watley in Paris shooting the music video for "Still a Thrill" in 1987

Watley returned to the United States and signed a record deal with MCA Records. In 1987, she released her first solo album, Jody Watley. She co-wrote most of the songs and wanted to create funky, high-energy dance music.

Her first single, "Looking for a New Love", was a massive hit. The album sold millions of copies and had three top-ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart: "Looking for a New Love," "Don't You Want Me," and "Some Kind of Lover."

Her incredible success earned her the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1988. This award made it clear that Jody Watley was a major new star in the music world.

1989–1990: Larger Than Life

Watley circa 1989

In 1989, Watley released her second album, Larger Than Life. It was another huge success, selling over four million copies. The album featured the hit single "Real Love".

Another famous song from the album was "Friends," which featured the rap group Eric B. & Rakim. This was one of the first times a pop singer collaborated with rappers on a major hit song. This mix of pop, R&B, and rap became a popular trend in music.

The music video for "Real Love" was nominated for seven MTV Video Music Awards. During this time, Watley also released a best-selling fitness video called "Dance to Fitness."

1991–1994: A New Direction

Watley photographed with President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, 1992

For her next albums, Affairs of the Heart (1991) and Intimacy (1993), Watley wanted to explore more serious and personal topics. She wrote about social issues and relationships.

Although these albums didn't sell as many copies as her first two, they were praised by critics for their mature sound. One of her songs, "It All Begins with You", was so inspiring that she was invited by President George H. W. Bush to perform it at the White House in 1992.

1995–1999: Going Independent

In 1995, Watley started her own record label, Avitone Records. She released the album Affection, which had a smooth, jazzy R&B sound.

In 1996, she showed her acting talent by playing the role of Rizzo in the Broadway musical Grease. She was the first African-American woman to play this famous character.

She returned to music with the album Flower in 1998. The single "Off the Hook" became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard dance chart. However, due to issues with her record company, the album was not released in the United States at the time.

2001–Present: Electronic Music and Shalamar Reloaded

Watley meeting Tuanku Tengku Fauziah, Queen of Malaysia, 2005

Inspired by electronic dance music, Watley continued to evolve her sound. She released the album Midnight Lounge in 2001, which blended soul, jazz, and electronic music. Critics praised her for keeping her music fresh and modern.

In 2005, she made history when a new remix of her 1987 hit "Looking for a New Love" went to No. 1 on the Billboard dance chart. She became the first artist to have the same song hit No. 1 in two different decades.

In 2014, Watley created a new version of her classic group, called Shalamar Reloaded, with new members Nate Allen Smith and Rosero McCoy. The group tours and performs both classic Shalamar hits and new music.

Watley continues to release her own music, including the EP Paradise (2014) and jazzy singles like her cover of Bob Marley's "Waiting in Vain."

Fashion and Legacy

Watley on Broadway in New York as Rizzo in Grease, 1996

Jody Watley is not just a music icon; she is also a fashion trendsetter. From the beginning of her solo career, she used fashion to express herself. In her music videos, she mixed high-fashion designs with street style, creating a look that was all her own.

She was known for her signature large hoop earrings, which became a popular trend. She appeared in magazines like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Rolling Stone. In 1990, People magazine named her one of the "50 Most Beautiful People."

Watley's mix of music, fashion, and personal branding has influenced many artists who came after her. She showed how an artist could build a strong, unique image. Her music has also inspired other singers, including T-Boz of TLC and the late singer Selena.

Personal Life

Watley has a daughter named Lauren and a son named Arie. She is the goddaughter of the legendary soul singer Jackie Wilson. Her younger sister is the singer Michele Watley.

Discography

Studio albums

• Jody Watley (1987)
• Larger than Life (1989)
• Affairs of the Heart (1991)
• Intimacy (1993)
• Affection (1995)
• Flower (1998)
• The Saturday Night Experience Volume 1 (1999)
• Midnight Lounge (2001)
• The Makeover (2006)

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Awards

MTV Video Music Awards

Billboard Music Awards

Images for kids

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  Jody Watley promoting her album 'The Makeover' at a Virgin Megastore in 2008.

See also

In Spanish: Jody Watley para niños

• List of bestselling music artists
• List of Billboard number-one dance club songs
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart