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 Jody Watley - Born January 30 in Chicago, Illinois.
She’s an innovative music maker, a style-forging pioneer: since the mid-90s, Grammy-winning multi-talented Jody Watley has led the way as an entrepreneur working in the independent music world as one of the few already-established female best-selling artists to produce, create and own her recordings.
With an amazing 32 Top Ten Singles and 13 No. 1 Singles in the R&B, pop and dance music genres over the past three decades – including such classics as “Looking For A New Love,” “Don’t You Want Me” and her groundbreaking collaboration with Eric B and Rakim on “Friends” which was one of the first to feature an R&B pop singer with a rapper incorporating the 16 bar verse/bridge. The formula would become a mainstay of the music business. Jody has consistently broken new ground in music, video and fashion: her 2006 album “The Makeover” benefited from an exclusive collaboration with the Virgin Megastore Music Chain that debuted as the No 1 nationwide store best-seller and No. 3 track on iTunes Electronic Chart, to many she is considered an Icon.
 James T. Jones of USA Today wrote in 1995 that Jody Watley introduced high fashion to music videos. Known for combining beauty and her own personal style style as integral aspects of her career as a recording artist and dynamic live performer, Jody’s list of accomplishments and achievements is indeed impressive: she's received Billboard Magazine's 'Lifetime Achievement Award', nominations for the MTV VMA's, NAACP Image Awards and American Music Awards. Watley's video "Real Love" remains one of MTV's most nominated for a female artist. She’s been featured in VOGUE, ITALIAN VOGUE (including 2008's Historic "The Black Issue), Harper's Bazaar, Rolling Stone, Essence and has been named one of America's Most Beautiful People by People Magazine. The first black woman to appear on a Japanese fashion magazine cover (specifically Japan's most elite, SPUR), Jody has performed by special invitation at The White House, participated in Bob Geldof's historic "Do They Know It's Christmas" recording session and video, Force of Nature’s Tsunami Relief in Malaysia as well as working on one of the first global HIV/AIDS awareness projects, “Red Hot and Blue” for which she performed the Cole Porter jazz classic “After You Who”. Watley continues to work with charities promoting tolerance, as well as prevention and care for those living with HIV and AIDS.
Beyonce Knowles and Destiny's Child recorded one of Jody’s compositions “Sweet Sixteen” on their best-selling “Writings on The Wall' album and Jody’s special guest appearances have included work with Roy Ayers, 4Hero, Rahsaan Patterson and George Michael. An update of the Shalamar hit “For The Lover In You” by Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds featured Jody and LL Cool J .
As she continues to explore new ways to share her music, Jody acknowledges fellow modern-day entrepreneurs such as Russell Simmons, Sean (Puff Daddy) Combs and Jay-Z (“for their work as an artists, label executives, clothing ventures marketing savvy and philanthropy”) “These guys make me want to grow Avitone into a diverse empire!"
Entrepreneur, label owner, recording artist, producer, songwriter and performer, Jody Watley celebrates three decades in the world of entertainment carving her own destiny, very much her own woman, truly an inspiration for artists of today and beyond.
Playlist:
00 - Intro - Jody Watley - If Ever
01 - Shalamar - Don't Try To Change Me
02 - Jody Watley - For Love's Sake
03 - Jody Watley - I'm The One You Need
04 - Jody Watley - Baby Tonight
Background music during interview:
Shalamar - The Second Time Around, Shalamar - Uptown Festival, Shalamar - Take That To The Bank, Shalamar - Closer, Jody Watley - Looking For A New Love (Remix), Jody Watley - L.O.V.E.R, Jody Watley - Affairs Of The Heart, Jody Watley - Workin' On A Groove, Jody Watley - Friends feat. Eric B. & Rakim,
For more information:
Jody Watley's Official Site
Jody Watley on MySpace
Jody Watley on Facebook
Jody Watley on Twitter
Download Jody Watley's music on Itunes
Buy Jody Watley's music on Amazon
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