Jody Watley is a GRAMMY Award Winning renowned Pop/R&B Icon and one of MTV's Most Nominated Artists for her video "Real Love". She's an innovative music maker and style-forging pioneer in music, video, dance and fashion as recognized in VOGUE, VOGUE Italia, Harper’s Bazaar, Rolling Stone, Essence and Vanity Fair in addition to being named one of People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People. Watley also has the distinction of being included the first celebrity driven ad campaigns titled "Individuals of Style" from GAP and the LA Eyeworks famed "A Face Is Like A Work Of Art".
Jody Watley established the trend of high-end fashion, mixed with street chic, and individuality raising the bar for the next generation of young black Pop/R&B artists with music and style decades before the industry capitalized on cross marketing and branding.
Watley's groundbreaking collaboration with Eric B and Rakim “Friends” was the first to successfully usher in the a new era of Rap/Sung Collaborations with the customized 16 bar verse "feature". Rakim's two tailor made verses to Watley's sung verses is one of music's milestones and a formula that has gone on to dominate commercial music.
Ranking as one of MTV’s most nominated artists for decades for her David Fincher directed video “Real Love”; Jody Watley has to date amassed an impressive 32 Top Ten Singles and 13 #1 Singles combined in Pop, Dance, R&B and Electronic music genres over the past three decades including 6 Hot 100 Top Ten singles according to Billboard and gained loyal fans around the globe in an enduring and lasting career.
Watley’s multi-format hit singles include such classics as “Looking For A New Love,” with it’s popular catch-phrase “Hasta La Vista Ba-by” “Don’t You Want Me” and the tender pop smash ballad "Everything." Jody Watley was also the first woman of color to appear on the cover a high fashion magazine in Japan as the face of Vogue equivalent SPUR, release a best selling fitness video 'Dance To Fitness' and appear in the first celebrity driven ad campaign for GAP titled "Individuals of Style" signaling a new era for music artists, actors and the fashion industry.
Jody Watley is also one of the first already established artists to embrace the shifting paradigms in the music business and digital platforms embracing the entrepreneurial side releasing music independently and being involved in social networking since the mid 90′s.
An original member and alumni of the group Shalamar (77-83); with such hits include "Take That To The Bank", "The Second Time Around" and "A Night To Remember" Watley got her start on the iconic TV show Soul Train as one it's most popular dancing teenaged stars handpicked by show creator Don Cornelius for Shalamar when forming the group and Soul Train Records.
Watley’s publishing catalog as a songwriter via Jody Watley Music (BMI) contains a diverse range of titles in multiple genres with license opportunities in platforms including commercials, video games, film and television. Her label Avitone has licensed music around the world to taste-making niche labels from Giant Step, Hed Kandi, Defected, Sony Special Products and more.
The mother of two resides in Beverly Hills and is currently completely various creative projects including her 10th solo album "Chameleon", a memoir, as well as her first novel.
