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There are certain artists who simply has it. You can hear it in their music, see it when they perform, and sometimes, if you're lucky, you get to experience it firsthand. Jody Watley has always been one of those artists for me.
When I think about Jody, one of the songs that immediately comes to mind is “Don’t You Want Me.” Released in 1987, it has that unmistakable early Jody Watley sound, polished, rhythmic, sophisticated, and just a little bit sexy without ever having to work too hard at it. That's part of what made Jody so special. She always seemed completely comfortable in her own skin.
Of course, long before “Don’t You Want Me,” Jody had already established herself as one of the defining women of the MTV era. From her days with Shalamar to her enormously successful solo career, she understood the importance of the complete package. The music mattered. The fashion mattered. The videos mattered and so did the attitude. But here's the thing about Jody that you don't necessarily get from a music video. She's got class.
A few years ago, I had the chance to meet Jody when she performed at a jazz club in Washington, D.C. I was fortunate enough to spend some time with her, and what struck me immediately was her energy. She was warm, engaging, and completely genuine. She carried the same kind of confidence and positive energy offstage that she brought to her performances.
After all those years in the business, that really says something.
I've always believed that the best interviews and conversations happen when an artist lets their guard down for a little while and just becomes a person. My time with Jody was one of those moments I remember. It also made me appreciate songs like “Don’t You Want Me” a little differently.
From Shalamar to her solo years, from the MTV generation to the dance floors of the '90s and beyond, she's remained unmistakably Jody Watley. And, as I discovered for myself in that Washington, D.C. jazz club, a real class act.