Jody Vanessa Watley (born January 30, 1959)[2][3] is an American singer, songwriter and producer whose music crosses genres including pop, R&B, jazz, dance and electronic soul.

[8] In 2008, she was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from Billboard magazine, and was also prominently featured[9] in the historic black issue of Vogue Italia in 2008.

[22] Documented by Ebony magazine in 1977 as a part of "The New Generation," Jody Watley was one of the most popular dancers on the show and recognized as a trendsetter for her style and dance moves.

[28] The trio released several albums and scored several hits on both the pop and R&B charts including "Take That to the Bank", "The Second Time Around", "Make That Move", "For the Lover In You", "Dead Giveaway" and "A Night to Remember".

[29][30] After leaving Shalamar in 1984, Watley moved to England, and while there she recorded a guest vocal with British Jamaican roots reggae group Musical Youth[31] for their album, Different Style!.

She had a brief stint with Phonogram Records where two singles were released (in the UK, Europe and Australia—though crucially not America) under the mononym 'Jody': "Where the Boys Are" and "Girls Night Out".

This "technicality" (no second name), allowed her controversially to be considered a "New Artist" at the Grammys, beating Breakfast Club, Cutting Crew, Terence Trent D'Arby and Swing Out Sister.

While riding high on her Larger Than Life World Tour, a remix album, titled You Wanna Dance with Me?, was released in October 1989 and achieved Gold status in America.

[45] In December 1991, Watley released her third album, Affairs of the Heart, described by Justin Kantor in Guide to Soul as an overlooked standout of her 1980s and 1990s output.

According to a review of the album "Affection" by Jose Promis of AllMusic, the release lacked the urgency and immediency of her dance-era hits, but was an engaging collection of slow burners, mid-tempo and jazzy R&B.

[56] Watley was photographed by Victor Skrebneski for the Saks Fifth Avenue Defining Style Fall Catalog, where she appeared in a 15-page high-fashion layout.

As Watley told music historian David Nathan, "The Saturday Night Experience was intended to be a concept album, aimed at people looking for something different.

One of the album's other singles, "Photographs", became notable in the underground club scene with mixes by Phil Asher and East West Connection.

[63][64][65][66] In 2005, Watley made history on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play Chart when she re-released her 1987 hit "Looking For a New Love" on Curvve Recordings.

The same year, Watley was invited to participate in the Force of Nature Relief Concert[68] to aid the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.

[69] During the trip Watley and others (including the Black Eyed Peas, Lauryn Hill and Jackie Chan) were invited to the Royal Palace to meet the King and Queen of Malaysia for a special tea reception in showing their gratitude for all involved with Force of Nature.

In May 2008, continuing over a decade of support for various charities dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS, Watley performed at Life Ball, Europe's largest gala for the cause held in Vienna, Austria.

Replacing the downtempo ambient version found on the 2006 "The Makeover", Watley recorded the new arrangement originally suggested by songwriter Pam Sawyer, for Ross.

[87] Added to the lineup of producers which included King Britt, Mark de Clive-Lowe, 4Hero, DJ Spinna and longtime co-collaborator Rodney Lee, are remixer/producers Marco Zappala from Brazil and Craig C. from the UK.

In February 2010, Jody Watley joined Jamie Foxx onstage at a post-Grammy event for a duet performance of her signature hit "Looking For a New Love"[88] and also appeared in the VH1 documentary Soul Train: The Hippest Trip In America.

[89] On October 27, 2012, Watley starred in the one time international humanitarian musical event Loving the Silent Tears with performers from 16 countries and cultures, created by Al Kasha, directed by Vincent Paterson and choreographed by Bonnie Story at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles[90][91][92][93] Jody Watley recorded collaborations with the electro pop duo French Horn Rebellion on singles titled "Cold Enough" and "Dancing Out" also featuring Young Empires in December 2012 and June 2013.

[103] On July 28, 2014, the EP "Paradise" was released through Watley's longtime Avitone label, digital outlets and limited-edition CD exclusively through her official website[104][105][106] the EP contains the single "Nightlife", along with 5 new songs and collaborations with Mark de Clive-Lowe, string arranger and musician Miguel Atwood Ferguson and newcomers Count de Money (France), Luminodisco (Italy) and Soulpersona (UK).

[104] A string of new American Tour Dates in support of Paradise and introducing the newly reloaded Shalamar included Oakland, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, San Jose, Washington, D.C. Sacramento, Atlantic City and more.

The single was subsequently picked up by independent label Spectra Music Group and released on October 20, 2015, along with a new video directed by Damien Sandoval.

[129][130] The SRL trio with Nate Smith and Rosero McCoy also made television appearances on Chicago's WGN Morning News debut performance[131][132] and KTLA Morning New with Sam Rubin[133][134] It was also announced that the ever eclectic Watley would be a guest vocalist on highly acclaimed funkster Dam-Funk's second album "Invite The Light" via Rolling Stone.

[124][136][137] In 2016, Watley made the choice to redirect her efforts to the now formed Shalamar Reloaded, wanting a fresh start for her new group without the negativity and baggage.

[139][140] In 2017, Shalamar Reloaded changed their name and all social media to a simple moniker of SRL in concerts and promotions with plans to release a debut album "Bridges".

[146][147] In 1988, Watley filmed the video to "Looking for a New Love" and made a conscious decision to use fashion to help her express her vision, wearing clothes and accessories from designers such as Issey Miyake and Philip Treacy.

Watley was photographed by Victor Skrebneski, for the Saks Fifth Avenue Defining Style Fall Catalog, where she appeared in a 15-page high-fashion layout in 1996.

Watley has two children: a daughter, Lauren, with former fiancé and music producer Leon Sylvers III and a son Arie, with ex-husband André Cymone.