Grammy Award Winning Singer, Songwriter, Producer and Label Owner of Avitone Recordings. Jody Watley has had an impressive 32 Top Ten Singles in a career spanning three decades (1977 - Present). The most recent Top 5 Dance Single 'A Beautiful Life', reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Charts in 2008.
With 6 Top 10 Pop hits, 15 Top 40 R&B hits, 14 Dance hits. 9 No.1 singles, Jody Watley has proven career stamina. In 2007, Billboard Magazine honored her with their 'Lifetime Achievement Award', after scoring her 9th No.1 Single 'I Want Your Love', a cover of the classic CHIC anthem, which further demonstrated her continued longevity.
In her three decades as an artist, Jody Watley has continued her impressive and diverse music streak by charting on either Pop, R&B, Dance and Electronic Charts according to Billboard.
To many Jody Watley is a cultural icon. Her hits include the hip hop classic 'Friends' with Eric B. and Rakim, one of the first collaborations with a the tailored rhyme and vocal, and 'Looking For a New Love', where she popularized "Hasta La Vista Ba-by" among others.
Ranked as one of MTV's Most Nominated Female Artists, Jody Watley has also received nominations from 'The NAACP Image Awards', 'Soul Train Awards' and 'American Music Awards'. She has been featured in a groundbreaking ad campaign for GAP, Saks Fifth Avenue, and other high profile fashion layouts. Jody Watley was instrumental in the crossover of music and fashion in the 80's and early 90's, unprecedented at the time for any contemporary black artist. In Japan, Watley was the first woman of color to be on the cover of a major fashion magazine, with the launch of 'SPUR' in 1989. She was also named one of 'People Magazines 50 Most Beautiful People', 'Harper's Bazaar's Ten Most Beautiful' and subsequently featured in the historic 'The Black Issue of Italian VOGUE' in July 2008.
Jody Watley has worked with a diverse array of artists including George Michael, Rahsaan Patterson, Henry Mancini, the UK's 4Hero, Roy Ayers, Stevie Wonder, LL Cool J, and Babyface. Recent works include collaborations with various world renowned DJ's including Philadlephia's King Britt, the UK's Mark de Clive Lowe, Masters at Work, France's DJ Yellow, Ron Trent, Soulcast (Amy Winehouse, Anastasia), The Wideboys (Rhianna).
In 1995, Watley formed her own label, Avitone Recordings with the release of 'Affection', and has continued to work in the new and changing paradigms of the music industry as an entrepreneur. In 2006, in an exclusive and unique partnership, Watley teamed with The Virgin Megastore Chain for the release of her ninth solo release 'The Makeover'. 'The Makeover' debuted as their #1 seller and remained so for weeks, and has produced three Top Five Dance Singles according to Billboard Magazine.
An original member of the group Shalamar, and former Soul Train dancer, Watley participated in the historic Band Aid Charity Single 'Do They Know It's Christmas' soon after departing the group while living in London.
In July 2008, Jody Watley was featured in The Historic 'The Black Issue' of Italian VOGUE, and in August 2008, Watley launched her own online digital music store. It's expected Jody Watley will release her 10th full length 'CHAMELEON' in 2009.
