Icon Jody Watley, singer/songwriter/producer/businesswoman, one of the architects of 21st century pop will join Black Girls Rock! Black Girls Lead Virtual Conference, Saturday, August 1, 2020.
From her groundbreaking marriage of rap and R&B (1987’s “Friends,” a collaboration with hip-hop legends Eric B. & Rakim) to her vision-forward 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.
The trendsetting pioneer in music, video, fashion and style is the winner of the Best New Artist Grammy in 1987, Watley’s entire career has been about looking forward, drawing inspiration from personal heroes and iconoclasts who were and are always ten steps ahead of the pack. 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.
This year’s #BGL2020 conference founded and created by Beverly Bond has been re-imagined as a virtual event and is designed to bring together young girls across the nation for two days of self-discovery, reflection and celebration.
Ms. Watley, along with legendary drummer Sheila E will be featured in a special interview at BGRL# virtual conference, entitled “Legacy, Rock Like A Girl,” moderated by Dr. Joan Morgan, Saturday, August 1st.
The legendary and international artists are two of the most beloved and respected women in the industry.
Jody Watley, visit www.jodywatley.net / Twitter and Instagram use handle: @jodywatley /Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/jodywatley
Listen to Jody Watley’s latest single ‘The Healing’ – click here
Black Girls Rock, visit www.blackgirlsrock.com./ Twitter and Instagram use handle: @BlackGirlsRock + hashtags: #BlackGirlsRock and #BlackGirlsLead
Sheila E, visit www.sheilae.com / Twitter and Instagram use handle: @sheilaedrummer
Jody Watley photo credit: Mike Ruiz