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.
We are flashing back to some of the best of the best content here at DailyBOOM.
ICYMI-
Jody Watley is just about as iconic as they come and she's also loaded with peace, love, and positivity. She'll be the first to tell you that "it's in the music" so you need to check out this recent interview about her brand new project- SRL- Shalamar Reloaded.)
When I say the name Jody Watley
a number of things may rush to the forefront of your mind. Grammy winner. Fashion icon. Soul Train and Shalamar. Eighties
dance diva and of course, those hoop earrings. Even now, if you
happen to catch her onstage during an energetic Freestyle
Explosion set she's all sass and class. Seeing Watley perform
live this past summer left me feeling like I had been handed a gift,
that it was a real privilege to see her do her thing onstage.
Offstage Watley exudes peaceful, Zen-like energy that you feel even
before you see that she has entered the room. It was an honor to be
able to grab a few minutes of her time this past week to discuss her
excitement over Shalamar Reloaded, her love for her kids, and
the need for people to lift each other up rather than bullying from
behind a computer screen.
Cate Meighan: You've raised some
eyebrows lately by finally addressing the rumors and internet trolls
that have chased after you for a long time. Why did you choose to
speak up now?
Jody Watley: Sometimes after you
choose to stay publicly silent for a while there comes a need to
speak. I needed to say what I needed to say because the lack of
fact-checking has led to lies being spread on the internet, radio, and television. I could only be thrown under the bus so much before I
had to address it. I decided to deal with it in a way that
establishes the fact that I have absolutely nothing to be angry about
because I've enjoyed a very successful career on multiple platforms.
I also wanted to try and disarm the notion that I'm some angry black
woman while looking at our society's need to stereotype strong
women as something negative.
C.M.: Your piece was clearly
written by a strong and well-educated woman.
J.W.: Thank you. My mom actually
called after reading that piece, to tell me that she thought that it
was well-spoken. I've always been a writer by nature and an avid
journaler. It was written at a point in time when our first lady was
taking some heat and some members of our women's Olympic gymnastic
team were under heavy scrutiny and comedian Leslie Jones had been
hacked and publicly shamed. I really hope that people will think
about the damage that a lie or negative perception can lead to,
especially when the target isn't given an opportunity to respond from
the very start.
That's one of the reasons why I
included screen captures of real hostility from real people that
have attacked me from behind their computer screens. It makes it a
little more real when you read the person's actual words rather than
just having them reiterated to you. A lot of it comes from other women
that are for whatever reason, disappointed in themselves and want to
bring others down with them. Women do this to each other instead of
spreading support and joy. It's a conversation that needs to be had.
C.M.: Tell me about your latest
endeavor, Shalamar Reloaded (SRL).
(Shalamar Reloaded Official Photo: Rosero McCoy, Jody Watley, Nate Allen Smith)
J. W.: Well, once I finally got
the trademark it finally put an end to all kinds of false
advertising. I knew that I wanted to take something familiar but put
a new spin on it so there you have Shalamar Reloaded. I wanted to
invest in new music videos and make a strong statement with whatever
we put out. I've known Rosero McCoy since 1998 and working
with him has always brought a lot of joy to my life. Nate Allen
Smith beat out hundreds of other talented guys. He is our
heart-throb (laughing). He is also just so humble and talented that
it makes him a perfect fit for Shalamar Reloaded. It's really a
collaboration when it comes to writing the songs. I feel like it's a
gift from the universe to have a group experience that is this
enjoyable. We really want to be together, we weren't just thrown
together by other people and told to make it work.
C.M.: SRL has a
new video coming out soon, right?
J.W.: Yes, “The Mood” will
be released on Monday, Sept. 26th. It was filmed in Hawaii
and was a lot of fun to make. We'll be teasing it a little earlier
than that. “The Mood" will be featured on our upcoming full-length album, Bridges.
C.M.: Aside from your work with
SRL, you've also popped up on the Freestyle Explosion tour now and
then with a bunch of other 80's divas such asExpose` and Lisa Lisa
(of Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam). I caught the Philadelphia show and you
absolutely brought the house down.
(Freestyle Explosion- Philadelphia 8-2016)
J.W.: (Laughing) Thank you!
People often seem to be surprised by my performance on that tour. I
just bring in some dancers and try to create a contemporary moment
with some of my old music. I try to serve up fashion, fun, and fierce performance. I do remember that show and we really did have a
lot of fun. That whole experience is pretty amazing because this
group of artists with decades of success really does get along. We
enjoy doing these shows together because it's such a positive freestyle vibe. The audiences really get into it and that makes it a
lot of fun.
C.M.: You're always juggling a few different projects at once it seems. Is there a real plan
behind-the-scenes or do you just kind of go with it?
J.W.: Both (laughing). There is
always a framework to what I'd like to accomplish but then I do just
go with things as they come along. SRL is my priority right now and
finishing our album. But then Jody Watley as a solo artist is always
going to be around because as Nate and Rosero say, I'm “the engine
that makes it all go”.
C.M.: You've had so many huge,
career-defining moments that anyone can find out about if they take a
glance at Wiki. I've learned that the quieter, in-between moments
often mean more after everything is said and done. Has that been the
case for you?
(Classic family portrait: Jody with children Arie and Lauren)
J.W.: Yeah, you're right. Being
able to take breaks over the years so that I could raise my son and
daughter has just meant the world to me. Playing dolls and
superheroes, going to the park, and making Santa cookies- those things
have kept me grounded. My daughter is the first college graduate in
our family and my son is in college now as well, studying business and finance. To send two people out into
the universe to achieve their own dreams has been my bigger purpose.
It's such a challenge to work with kids but I didn't miss the most
important thing, being there along the way for them. Being popular
with my kids has mattered most of all. I'm a real mom and now I'm
getting to have fun with SRL!
C.M.: Tell me something that you
really want your fans to know.
J.W.: I'm a hell of a cook
(laughing)! Well, I am but... As long as we're alive it's never too
late to go down new paths and try different things. Our world is
so youth-obsessed, stop comparing yourself to others and find your
joy. Forget your age, feel good and enjoy your journey. Stay excited
about what's next because it's a gift to be here! Love and let
yourself be loved.
And like an answer from above you came into my life
And showed me one thing for sure
With love nothing is certain
You got to go for it when you feel it
Everybody, everybody needs somebody to love
And I choose you, baby, so let's
Make that move right now, baby
You only go out once in a lifetime
Make that move right now, baby"
There are a handful of dance songs that instantly put me in a good mood and Shalamar's "Make That Move" is one of them. I used to go to my grandmother's ever Saturday morning and while there I'd end up watching Soul Train. I'm not sure if I actually remember Jody Watley as a Soul Train dancer but even as a kid I knew that's where she cut her teeth on a national level, so I've always affiliated Shalamar with the classic dance show.
"Make That Move" has every element of disco in it that made me obsessed with the music in the first place and this performance is as fantastic now as it first was way back in 1981. Enjoy!
"I'd like to know more than just your name Did you come here alone or with someone If only you would open up And let me know just where you're comin' from
Are you lookin' for a new love Or does commitment seem to bring you down Is that a look of yes or is it no Please don't tease me, ho...oh..."
Way back in the summer of 1987 Jody Watley's self-titled album was in heavy rotation thanks to a string of catchy singles. "Don't You Want Me" was the third one to be released and it achieved some pretty amazing crossover success. More importantly, it proved that "Looking For A New Love", which had been released several months earlier, was not a fluke. Ms. Watley had arrived, hoop earrings and all.
This song was totally my jam way back then and to a certain degree, it still is thirty years later. "Don't You Want Me" makes you move, which is one of the reasons why Watley lands in the 21st spot on Billboard's Top Dance Artists of All Time list.
"I'd like to know more than just your name Did you come here alone or with someone If only you would open up And let me know just where you're comin' from
Are you lookin' for a new love Or does commitment seem to bring you down Is that a look of yes or is it no Please don't tease me, ho...oh..."
Way back in the summer of 1987 Jody Watley's self-titled album was in heavy rotation thanks to a string of catchy singles. "Don't You Want Me" was the third one to be released and it achieved some pretty amazing crossover success. More importantly, it proved that "Looking For A New Love", which had been released several months earlier, was not a fluke. Ms. Watley had arrived, hoop earrings and all.
This song was totally my jam way back then and to a certain degree, it still is thirty years later. "Don't You Want Me" makes you move, which is one of the reasons why Watley lands in the 21st spot on Billboard's Top Dance Artists of All Time list.
"I'd like to know more than just your name Did you come here alone or with someone If only you would open up And let me know just where you're comin' from
Are you lookin' for a new love Or does commitment seem to bring you down Is that a look of yes or is it no Please don't tease me, ho...oh..."
Way back in the summer of 1987 Jody Watley's self-titled album was in heavy rotation thanks to a string of catchy singles. "Don't You Want Me" was the third one to be released and it achieved some pretty amazing crossover success. More importantly, it proved that "Looking For A New Love", which had been released several months earlier, was not a fluke. Ms. Watley had arrived, hoop earrings and all.
This song was totally my jam way back then and to a certain degree, it still is thirty years later. "Don't You Want Me" makes you move, which is one of the reasons why Watley lands in the 21st spot on Billboard's Top Dance Artists of All Time list.
And like an answer from above you came into my life
And showed me one thing for sure
With love nothing is certain
You got to go for it when you feel it
Everybody, everybody needs somebody to love
And I choose you, baby, so let's
Make that move right now, baby
You only go out once in a lifetime
Make that move right now, baby"
There are a handful of dance songs that instantly put me in a good mood and Shalamar's "Make That Move" is one of them. I used to go to my grandmother's ever Saturday morning and while there I'd end up watching Soul Train. I'm not sure if I actually remember Jody Watley as a Soul Train dancer but even as a kid I knew that's where she cut her teeth on a national level, so I've always affiliated Shalamar with the classic dance show.
"Make That Move" has every element of disco in it that made me obsessed with the music in the first place and this performance is as fantastic now as it first was way back in 1981. Enjoy!
And like an answer from above you came into my life
And showed me one thing for sure
With love nothing is certain
You got to go for it when you feel it
Everybody, everybody needs somebody to love
And I choose you, baby, so let's
Make that move right now, baby
You only go out once in a lifetime
Make that move right now, baby"
There are a handful of dance songs that instantly put me in a good mood and Shalamar's "Make That Move" is one of them. I used to go to my grandmother's ever Saturday morning and while there I'd end up watching Soul Train. I'm not sure if I actually remember Jody Watley as a Soul Train dancer but even as a kid I knew that's where she cut her teeth on a national level, so I've always affiliated Shalamar with the classic dance show.
"Make That Move" has every element of disco in it that made me obsessed with the music in the first place and this performance is as fantastic now as it first was way back in 1981. Enjoy!
"I'd like to know more than just your name Did you come here alone or with someone If only you would open up And let me know just where you're comin' from
Are you lookin' for a new love Or does commitment seem to bring you down Is that a look of yes or is it no Please don't tease me, ho...oh..."
Way back in the summer of 1987 Jody Watley's self-titled album was in heavy rotation thanks to a string of catchy singles. "Don't You Want Me" was the third one to be released and it achieved some pretty amazing crossover success. More importantly, it proved that "Looking For A New Love", which had been released several months earlier, was not a fluke. Ms. Watley had arrived, hoop earrings and all.
This song was totally my jam way back then and to a certain degree, it still is thirty years later. "Don't You Want Me" makes you move, which is one of the reasons why Watley lands in the 21st spot on Billboard's Top Dance Artists of All Time list.
Have you checked out Shalamar Reloaded's latest song yet? Hit play and take a listen. I'm pretty sure that "The Mood" will be your ear worm of the day. Great stuff by Jody Watley, Nate Allen Smith and Rosero McCoy.
I know that there has been a lot of Jody Watley here in the last week but really, when something is good can there really be too much of it? Not in this case and especially now that Jody and her group Shalamar Reloaded have just dropped a new video. "The Mood" was shot in Hawaii and the visuals are memorable- for several reasons. Besides that this is simply a great, smooth song that proves just what each of the trio (Watley, Rosero McCoy and Nate Allen Smith) brings to the table in Shalamar Reloaded (SRL). Check it out for yourself below!
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