Jody Watley is a GRAMMY award winning multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer recognized as a style icon and one of the architects of 21st century Pop/R&B/Dance music.

Ranked in Billboard as one of the Top 60 Female Artists of All Time, Top 25 Dance Artists of All Time, Top 100 Black Solo Artists Of All Time, Crossover Music Icon from Black Music Honors 2017 with a diverse music discography spanning R&B / Pop / Dance /Hip Hop / Electronic / Jazz / Adult Contemporary 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, 20s.

As a solo artist, Jody Watley has amassed 6 Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Singles, 13 Number 1 Dance Singles, 2 R&B Number 1’s, 15 Top 40 Singles, Gold and platinum albums in thr USA, Canada and Asia. 2007 Billboard Dance Lifetime Achievement, 2017 recipient of the Black Music Honors Crossover Music Icon Award and nominations from the American Music Awards, MTV Awards, NAACP Awards and Soul Train Awards.

A longtime advocate of LGBTQ rights, bringing awareness early on to HIV/AIDS Awareness, she has worked with various organizations. A staunch voice as well for artist rights and equitable pay, Dr. Jody Watley has served as Governor for the Los Angeles Chapter of the The Recording Academy working with advocacy speaking to members of the legislature as well as talking to youth for the GrammyU program with a focus on the business side of the industry. Dr. Watley continues to use her nnfluence to make a difference and inspire others find their "Wattage" - inner light.

January 2024, Jody Watley released the empowering single "EVERLASTING" writtten and produced with longtime collaborator, jazz musician Rodney Lee, with additional mix and production by renowned Italian DJ/Producer Alex Di Cio' the single vaulted to #2 on the UK Soul Chart, #3 Amazon Best Sellers with subsequent "EVERLASTING - THE REMIXES" reaching #2 iTunes Top Dance Albums, her first since 2008's "Midnight Lounge."

In 2023, during Women's History Month SIRIUS XM launched the monthy limited run niche based 'The Jody Watley Show' focused on classic feel good R&B, select celebrity guests and Watley's overall uplifting aestheic with style on their The Groove channel. The campaign declared "She's Got The Mic" with a massive billboard in New Yorks Times Square.

An inductee into the Women’s Songwriters Hall of Fame Jody Watley's ongoing influence and contributions to contemporary music and pop culture are truly everlasting. Jumbo hoop earrings, yes she did that, they remain a style staple for many in film, TV, reality stars. wanna be stars and fashionistas. It was Jody Watley who coined the phrase “Hasta La Vista Ba-by’ later popularized by superstar actor Arnold Schwarzenegger in the blockbuster action film “Terminator: Judgement Day.” 

From her groundbreaking marriage of Rap/R&B/Pop with 1989’s “Friends featuring Hip Hip/Rap legends Eric B & Rakim "Friends" is first pairing of Pop/R&B/Rap/Dance to crossover into the Billboard Top 10 on multiple charts Watley's vision- trendsetting forward thinking marriage of high fashion, street fashion and music in the ‘80s (long before it became the norm), to her fusion of jazz and underground club culture with keen pop instincts, and the ease with which she crossed and still crosses genre: Jody Watley forged the template that is now everybody’s playbook.

June 2022 the music icon was honored with Jody Watley Day at the Georgia State Capitol and received the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and became a 2022 inductee into the Women's Songwriters Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C. with other inductees that include Marilyn Bergman, Gloria Estefan, Indigo Girls, Siedah Garrett, Loretta Lynn in 2022 at the intimate ceremony.

Watley received her first Honorary Doctorate in March 2022. The honor was bestowed upon the iconic singer-songwriter-businesswoman. The honor was bestowed upon the iconic singer-songwriter-businesswoman before she addressed the graduating class of 2022 in Stone Mountain, Georgia. She received an Honorary Doctorate Degree Doctor of Philosophy in Entrepreneurship and Business Administration from the T.I.U.A. School of Business. Jody Watley was also presented the Women of Distinction Award from United Nations Global Women Foundation during the academic ceremony.

A previous recipient of the BMI Medal of Honor for (Don’t You Want Me, Looking For A New Love, Real Love amongst others), Watley's songwrtiting catalog lists over 100 compositions including "16" covered by Destiny's Child on their "Writings On The Wall" album in addition to "Full of Fire" recorded by her former group Shalamar, an original member of their most pinnacle recordings from 1978-1983.

Winner of the Best New Artist Grammy in 1988, Chris Campbell from NPR's Progressive Underground notes "Jody Watley enjoys longevity through constant evolution."

Her entire career is always about looking forward, unafraid to change and grow. The Chicago native’s eclectic repertoire – R&B, hip-hop, House, jazz, pop, drum & bass, ambient, spoken-word – is built on a positive vision and a strong taste for artistic and aesthetic risk.

As an entrepreneur and early awaremess of "branding" and crossing platforms over the years Watley launched her own label Avitone Recordings in 1995 with a mantra of  "Independently Fueling Quality Music" doing license deals around the world along with strategic partnerships for release of her music. In addition, JodyWatleyShop.com was launched in 2000 featuring limited edition clothing and other music related items now currently developing into a wellness boutique featuring her line of signature luxury soy candles while spotlighing other small businesses and blackwomen owned new product lines creating organic beauty and home items. 

Jody Watley’s ongoing vast catalog of music spanning decades is streaming on all digital platforms.

As a live performer, Jody Watley delivers one of the most dynamic live concert experiences - hit-packed, high energy, stylish and always inspirational.

"After all this time, I still surprise people with how great I am live. I take it as a compliment because in that case, I always over deliver and exceed expectations and put to rest any pre-conceived notions and never just going through the motions. I bring my heart and soul - and a hefty wardrobe case as well!" - Jody Watley

FOR THE RECORD - FACTS ABOUT JODY WATLEY

*Grammy Winning Solo Artist - Best New Artist 1987

*6 Top 10 Hot 100 Singles

*13 #1 Dance Singles

*3 #1 R&B Singles

*15 Top 40 Singles.

*The First Rap Song Collaboration To Crossover Top 10 Multiple Charts "Friends" ft. Eric B & Rakim

*2022 - Inductee Women Songwriters Hall Of Fame

*2022 - Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award

*2022 - Jody Watley Day Georgia State Capitol

*2018 Billboard Top 60 Hot 100 Female Artist Of All Time 

*2018 Crossover Music Icon Award Black Music Honors

*2018 Top 25 Dance Artist Of All Time

*2019 Vanguard Lifetime Achievement Award LGTBQ Film and Music Festival

*Million Selling Fitness Video. "Dance To Fitness" A first for an artist and woman of color

*Billboard Magazine Lifetime Achievement Dance Artist.

*One of MTV's Most Nominated Artists for Video "Real Love" Directed by David Fincher

*Coined The Pop Culture Phrase “Hasta La Vista Ba-By.”

*People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People.

*Fashion and Style Icon And Trendsetter.

*Unprecedented 15 Pages Saks Fifth Avenue Fall Catalog

*Appeared in First Celebrity Ad Campaign for GAP "Individuals of Style

*First Black Woman on Cover Of Japanese Fashion Magazine.

*Harper’s Bazaar 10 Most Beautiful Women.

*BMI Award Winning Songwriter.

*First black actress to play the Iconic role of Rizzo on Broadway in the hit musical GREASE!

*Recipient of Honorary Doctorate in Business Philosophy & Entreprenuership

*United Nations Global Women Foundation Recipient Women of Excellence

*Founder of Avitone Recordings – Independent Record Label

*Founder of JodyWatleyShop.com

*Creator of signature line of luxury soy candles and other wellness products

*2021 - First Ambassador National Museum of African American Music

*National Anthem Performer for historic franchises: LA Lakers, LA Dodgers, LA Chargers, LA Galaxy