Jody Watley is an influential American singer, songwriter, and record producer, who gained prominence in the 1980s. Her music style blends R&B, pop, and dance, with her self-titled debut album, which spawned three US top 10 hits, showcasing her versatile sound. Watley's significant contributions to music include popularizing the trend of featuring rappers on pop songs, as seen in her Grammy-winning single, "Friends". She is also known for her fashion-forward music videos and is recognized as an important figure in the transition of R&B music to new jack swing.