Jody Watley - Friends ft. Eric B. & Rakim

Music video by Jody Watley performing Friends. (C) 1989 Geffen Records

[@Bishop98409]

this is a classic and people dont even know how important this track is, its the first ever successful marrage of Hip Hop/R&B that people still use today

[@kittied4482]

Blondie was first

[@reggiebarker5964]

I FORGOT, SI REMIND ME DID BLONDIE COLAB WIT A HIP ⭐

[@darrenjones5533]

Blonde was dope bur not hip hop or r&b. Pop.

[@IceManLikeGervin]

1984: Chaka Khan ft Melle Mel- I Feel For You 1985: Rene & Angela ft Kurtis Blow- Save Your Love (For #1) 1988: Rick James ft Roxanne Shante- Loosey’s Rap 1988: Midnight Star ft Ecstacy (from Whodini)- Don’t Rock The Boat 1988: LeVert ft Heavy D- Just Coolin' 1989: Joyce “Fenderella” Irby ft Doug E Fresh- Mr DJ 1989: O’Jays ft Jaz- Have You Had Your Love Today? 1989: Al B Sure ft Slick Rick- If I’m Not Your Lover (Remix)

[@SignatureSignsSouthampton24]

@@IceManLikeGervin rap with R&B goes back as far as the 50s with the Jackson 5. Hip hop with R&B , well that's a different story

[@rfast10430]

Model looks, can write her own songs, and sing and dance. She is the complete package.

[@BoobooThaFooI]

I just saw her in concert on August 14 and she’s 63 now. I was just in awe! She’s beautiful vibrant and was so encouraging and uplifting to the audience. She did this song, looking for a new love and more. The highlight of my birth month

[@IAMGavinMitchell]

Was the complete package

[@fuferito]

Yup. And she spits Rakim's rhymes when he's not performing with her, like she did on Arsenio, back in the day.

[@tjrizzo1619]

I miss the 80s. Some of the best years of my life

[@missmarthafawker]

I listened to this song so much in high school that it is the reason I dropped the friends I had and chose better people to be in my life. I’m fifty one now.

[@jasondawson92]

This need more dam views

[@adamm8270]

Me too! Made me re evaluate!

[@dameyunhenry5488]

Newsflash JODY WATLEY was one of the first to introduce the dance form of voguing to the world way before MADONNA FACTZZZZZZZZZZ

[@davidg.9932]

Happy 62nd Birthday January 30, 1959 Jody Vanessa Watley.. Chicago born.. A Dance music icon.. We love you Jody

[@jtaquaqueen130]

January 30th.. MY BDAY!!!... YES!!!... SOOO FUTURISTIC!!!!. WAY BEFORE HER TIME!!!... AQUA QUEEN!!!.. #AQUA GANG ♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️. . ALSO RAKIM born William Michael Griffin Jr. on January 28th!!!... AQUA BROTHER!!... AN AQUARIAN TAG TEAM... YOU JUST GOTTA LOVE IT‼️💯💪🏿👍🏾🔥👌🏾❤️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️

[@martha6018]

Yeah i listened to Madonna. Yeah i listened to Whitney. Yeah i listened to Janet. But it was Jody that had that special something for me!!!

[@BlackNAVYAmericanVET]

Gen X rules ❤

[@healterskelter]

exactly ❗ and I told her... I said ma'am

[@blackcosmos]

The message in this track still resonates today

[@shottashabazz6721]

Two years later and your comment still holds weight.

[@tarabeverly3680]

And even today as we just started 2024! Universal message❤ Love Jody Watley! Beauty given from God.

[@Tommyseger7]

Jody Watley the original trendsetter!! Excellent artist!!!

[@jamesdavidkmoss]

Tommyseger7 not really,she was a ok dancer

[@DiscoFetish]

No - she's an original and trendsetter. Her and Grace Jones sculpted a whole new aesthetic for black women performers! Next...

[@HRDK-SKLETRMUMMR-MEGTRN]

💯👍💯👍💯👍💯👍💯👍💯👍💯👍💯👍💯👍

[@Igaveyoumyfakename]

@@jamesdavidkmoss : Fun Fact: in this video ORIGINAL TREND-SETTER Jody Watley is rocking over-accessorized Gaultier a year before Madonna did it. So RECOGNIZE the Black genius mutha-phuckaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!

[@andreawhite5917]

One of the best

[@theamerican_insider]

Still relevant in 2024 people can't be trusted

[@Andla_2806]

Over the years, you realize how ahead of her time Jody Watley was; simply brilliant. I just love her voice, it's so recognizable and cool. Geek info: She was one of the very few women who took part in Band Aid's legendary "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (the others were the members of Bananarama).

[@mediaguy4037]

Also one of the only americans (along with Kool and the Gang)

[@bornwithaBA]

​@@mediaguy4037 she was living in England at the time. Her original solo work was released there first. That's how she was considered a New Artist for the Grammys.

[@user-ii1tt8ym2l]

This song is the truth yes Jody Watley is the best of all times. This song speaks a lot of volume lots of, Truth to when it comes too jealous friends and invy. Sometimes, you can have a friend aslong as you have something they want. But the moment they think is something that they cannot have that you have they tend to get a fucked-up attitude because they wished they were in your shoes ,knowing that they can have the same things if they work hard for it or pray about it, friends will get jealous if you get it a new car or come into some money and, they also think that you are obligated to do them certain favor's like become their taxi driver some friends act like you owe them something because you have something they want,but when you don't have anything they seem to disappear .A lot of times . people are not your friend that just want what you have and that's it. A real friend would be around for you even when you're broke so-called friends never want to see you get ahead they tend to like you more when you given them something or when you don't have anything at all, and if they do like you is because you are given them things that you have like if you have a new car they feel like you owe them something like you supposed to be their personal Taxi they want you to pick them up all the time ,they want you to cater to their every Needs & Wants but as soon as you can't pick them up then you are no longer friends ,anymore it's nothing like a bunch of freeloaders ,never want to see you get ahead . They will Often call you out of your name and tell you that you think that you're too good because you can't do everything that they want or need you to. A real friend is there no matter what so the part with Jody Watley says was it the lies they told you is a very true statement because people would tell you lies just to get what they want out of you. They also don't want you to get ahead because if they're not happy they don't want you to be happy either.

[@johngold1849]

Genius collaboration! Jody, is and will always be a goddess. Rakim is a lyrical beast!

[@shamondavis406]

John Gold I strongly agree with you!!

[@DjTIMEJD]

@@shamondavis406I wholeheartedly concur with the both of you, friends.

[@blazesimpson8830]

Jody Wately was the number one trendsetter in the 80s, first to put a rapper ( Rakim The Greatest of all time) on a r N b track,

[@TheEdub1]

No she's not the first Chaka Khan is with Melle Mel on I Feel For You in 1984!

[@ivanlugo9491]

Sorry your both wrong blondie was the first

[@TheEdub1]

@@ivanlugo9491 My man Blondie was doing the rapping not anyone else. She had brothers in the video but not rapping on her tracks. And Blondie was a pop artist not R&B!

[@ivanlugo9491]

@edub1 hear whole album

[@TheEdub1]

@@ivanlugo9491 She's still pop not R&B. We said the first to put a rapper on R&B track.

[@jerrycalhoun5075]

Jody never lied. Real friends are always on deck.

[@funkmasterfishdatdamnfish7442]

Anyone else is going through all their favorite jams thinking about how life was back in the days? ✌🏼️

[@bonganibophela2819]

Trust me everyone does, music are pegs that hold special events on a string of our lifeline

[@timmusumba5846]

Released in 1989 when i was in grade 6....! The song had a very great message indeed! The mid 80s and 90s had the best music indeed! Why the song does not have more than 10,000,000 million views is a mystery to me!

[@rebeccastroud80]

Nothing like the 80's!!!!😊❤

[@pjonesps]

I believe this was the first R&B song to feature a rapper!

[@bro.malcolmali395]

Rakim a gifted lyricist

[@jayscribe7547]

Ya think

[@jayjones3276]

didn't u mean to say one of the most gifted. to me he's top #1

[@fab5frk]

The R is the lyrics that start the saying "You know what I'm sayin". Fact !

[@lebronbarkley6038]

fab5frk he's the greatest

[@ErK82]

Rakim is the Greatest Of all time. Even here where some might say appearing with Jody Watley who's a legend from Shalamar, Could be seen as a mainstream no-no, Rakim adds credibility by walking the streets of NY with his crew

[@jeffreyprather5834]

SHE IS A LIVING LEGEND

[@cupofjavaproductions3138]

👍🏿

[@jayscribe7547]

So beautiful! Everybody had a crush on Jody

[@LongJerryCurl]

+Jay Scribe yes sir,,,,good times

[@jayscribe7547]

***** Yes indeed.

[@LloydWamai]

+Jay Scribe Oh yea we did!

[@oceanbabin]

The fat lady?

[@jayjones3276]

+MPA2000 and pebbles lol

[@unixpro1970]

The great Rakim!

[@MaydaySanders12-ie1mh]

I am a big fan of this collaboration. This is simply beautiful! This song is telling the truth. It is so relevant to 2023 and how friends treat you. I just love Rakim he's one of the best rappers that ever picked up a mic. Ms Watley is in a class by herself. She's the epitome of beauty , grace and one heck of a singer!!

[@edwardbarnes75]

Rakim was the GOAT of this Era

[@mortinsprocessor]

that very first verse though speaks HELLA volumes!

[@heaven7360]

I'm learning about friends these days.....this song is perfect. Hard to figure people out....

[@kisukehanout8703]

yo that's crazy Rakim was only 21 on this shit, dope verses

[@whateva.man.1993]

Word

[@jayjones3276]

damn so young to be so dope

[@aqueenstandsalone3954]

Kisuke Hanout he is an ICON

[@2010Gullwing]

Rakim best rapper ever

[@lelynnmalkia9385]

Real Lyricist, Always #Rakim

[@tallcoolone09]

This video and song were so ground breaking at the time. i think she was the first to have a rapper featured in a song. and she had the vougers befor Madonna.

[@tonys1923]

Jodie Watley was one of the best from this era, Shalamar lead singer to boot

[@dougwilliams2480]

Howard Hewitt was actually Shalamar's lead vocalist

[@janismichelebenoit73]

Will never get enough of Jody's music, an absolute genius of a woman , style and grace and that voice... OMG she rocked everything she sang. I'm 56 , it's now Nov 2022 and Jody's tunes get me dancing on a dime. She will Always be an artist I admire ❣

[@hollypietrzak5214]

this is how pop and hip hop used to sound like in the late 80s

[@mikekaraoke]

+holly pietrzak 80's were a golden decade

[@hollypietrzak5214]

yes it sure was and I also like the way jody dresses also

[@mikekaraoke]

holly pietrzak Yea dresses are good like any decade some fashion was bad and others alright- My niece said the same and she was born in 2000 :-]

[@jcp1977]

Amen

[@richardredic]

yes - god awful

[@curtismoore7738]

FRIENDS TIMELESS CLASSIC A PURE MASTERPIECE

[@danksanatraoldredeyes2394]

Her career was so iconic shalamar and her solo success she was killing new York's radio. Stations

[@nataliesammylove8716]

This combination is truly untouchable. The God & Ms Jody.

[@MauricioSierraM.]

One of the real R&B/Rap pioneers!

[@tallcoolone09]

She was slightly ahead of everyone. The voguing and to feature rap artists in songs and video.

[@rayconley82]

Yep! She was ahead of the curve.

[@SmoothCinnamonX]

She really was. I feel like she never got the props she deserves. Jody is a phenomenal artist, a true artist!

[@firouz4296]

She was the first female to vogue in a mainstream video( 2. Taylor Dayne 3. Madonna) , the first to wear Gautier‘s Cone bra (1983 in her first solo video „where the boys are“), the first to collab with a rap artist, the first to bring high fashion and great directors to mainstream pop (David Fincher), one of the first to record a „new soul“ album (Intimacy) and so much more... Tragically underrated in so many ways. Rihanna, Ameriie, Beyonce and many others wouldn‘t be here without her. She needs to get a big time tribute! Since she still sounds and looks flawless, how about herself beginning the tribute and duet with the new girls?

[@richardmiiller1813]

YAAASSSS! I WS JUST SITIN HERE THINKIN THT LIKE WOW THIS HAS TO B 1 OF THE FIRST R & B rap collab songz. Jody ws a trendsetter n every since!

[@anthonycorbett6264]

slightly?

[@dallasdude2492]

Forgot how flames this video is!!!

[@keithcoates2833]

For younger folks, she was in the group Shalamar

[@evanginzburg]

She's a great live performer- don't miss her.

[@donaldflowers6169]

Jody was and is still fierce

[@theoldschooloriginal]

I still have this song "Friends" and the album "Larger Than Life" on the original black cassette tape released in 1989 from MCA Records. A classic collaboration from Jody Watley with Eric B & Rakim making this a timeless gem.

[@knucklegame5050]

Jody Watley, the Soul Train Queen💃👌🏾👌🏾

[@jimmimukuria2212]

This was so daring of Jody...Marrying Rap and R&B when everyone else would have thought that was a crazy thing to try, and coming up with such a great song. Jody was way ahead of her time. She is and she'll always remain one of the greatest of all time.

[@jasondawson92]

Welcome to the 80s

[@s.w.9138]

When this masterpiece came out I was a young child but I knew it was a hit. I loved her sound and style. Years later as an adult and life has happened, this joint slaps! It truly hits home!!!💯💯💯

[@Eurodance90schick]

I love this song, the lyrics hit home for me and I love this song.

[@willjenkins3529]

Still a CLASSIC and bumping in 2k22 and beyond. Plz keep your heads up and keep your eye on the business. God bless 🙌 9th day 🙏 🙌 ❤ ♥ 💖 💙 🙏

[@felixagabo9122]

This song always gets me laughing and dancing and smiling and singing and nodding. This song brings back fresh memories of teenage years, really fond and nostalgic ones. Beautiful and eclectic Jody Watley sure contributed in making our growing years lively. This song for will everly remain A FIVE STARS rating.

[@jeffreyprather5834]

RAKIM BLACK KING ,LIVING LEGEND

[@mlyten67]

Could there be a better collaboration of talent? I think not. Jody’s silky smooth and soulful voice and Rakim’s highly expressive lyrical groove combining to make a timeless track. Still and forever a fave. Makes me pine for a fantastic time.

[@ash-shakirwhitaker7008]

I love it when rap (A-K-A Hip Hop) and R&B are blended together!

[@ctbadcop15]

This is the ONLY collaboration that featured a successful dance( that’s what we called in the 80’s) music singer and a real hardcore MC. I don’t care who you are but if Rakim isn’t in your top 5 list of emcee’s, you will never know hip-hop!

[@valmontmoore8301]

Rakim great Lyrics him and Big daddy Kane best ever when it comes to lyrics

[@michaelmaqua5179]

She is so right about about this song and what friends will do because you can’t trust people who don’t have what you have

[@jasondawson92]

Especially in the hood the ghetto be hating when you drive a Benz in the neighborhood even when they your friends

[@djolskool1968]

YOU CAN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THESE 2 TOGETHER!

[@theresagreen1493]

RAKIM KICKS KNOWLEDGE every time in our time he was the best and will always be to Me!!! The god

[@kemaranight2456]

This song got me through grade school in the early 00s. Don't recall ever seeing the video; wanting to vogue, this is hitting even harder at 4:14am. Just woke up from sleep with Jody on my mind and fixing my life in my heart. S/o to this queen for the forever vibe

[@ajtowin]

Makes me always wish to go back to the summer of 89, being 18 again

[@sfrank8687]

I'm right with you

[@EarthWindandFirepower0990]

DIS WAS THE 1ST SONG TO FEATURE A SINGER AND A RAPPER ON DA SAME RECORD.

[@hectorrivera2096]

Marcus Reeves I thought Run DMC did walk this way before this came out

[@Pants3]

Hector Rivera that was rock. This is for R&B.

[@TheEdub1]

No it was Chaka Khan and Melle Mel - I Feel For You (1984).

[@bombboys]

Song still gives me chillzzzzzz just like the 1st time I heard it. I was already in love with Jody after her 1st masterpiece of an album. This solidified it. ❤😊

[@ajtowin]

Jody was a nubian Queen here in this video ❤😘

[@landocalrisian2014]

I always wanted Jody and Sade to do a photo shoot. That would have been epic.

[@chargedupchallah5006]

This is Rak, #1 on one list, 🤔. Have more than one, categorizing them will take you back. Have fun with your Hip Hop.

[@Timcoplawyer]

Rakim's son at such a young age....f-ing love this video!!

[@amgnomercy]

Eric B is the coolest dude who ever lived. So much swagger in this video and he doesn't even speak.

[@sarahsimpkins2021]

This came out in 1989 I was in the 4th grade when this came out I used to watch this on BET on Video souls them was the days Good music.Also I don't know what this young lady talking about her video was kind of like aliayah this was way before her time before she even came out.back in 80s every one had they own style and music and it was fun.I had for got about this one. Its been so long since I heard this I forgot Eric b and rakim did this song with her

[@mynameisnotimportant2854]

Sarah Simpkins a 1980 baby just like me

[@Eurodance90schick]

I remember this song when it came out I was in grade 1 when it came out.

[@tyreed.3716]

IM ON3 YEAR OLDER THAN YOU!!!!! #thaiwave class of 97 ooaa oaa! Or are you them same?

[@jamaalosman125]

Jody Watley & Rakim Perfection 💛

[@bridgettholman4074]

Awesome video, Rakim is the worlds best rapper!

[@stanleysimmons3959]

She's so right, and yet we all have been the "friend" to let down others as well! I speak from experience, so I've apologized to my buddies and family members I've wronged over the years. Hey, even Whodini says that the dictionary doesn't know the meaning of friend!!

[@Eurodance90schick]

same here I love this song and especially the lyrics.

[@trevorhicks3576]

Yup

[@rayden21]

Nice song never gets old

[@jeffreyprather5834]

SHE IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND VERY AND VERY HUMBLE

[@ytbb2007]

Jody Was the first to incorporate elegance, style, fashion, hair, and hot dance moves in her videos. What artist that's out right now completely copied her? (Beyoncé).

[@Jezabhaal]

This is ISIS remix

[@johnnymchappyboy]

MADONNA

[@mamadouaziza2536]

Please, she was not the first..

[@sacheverelle]

Friends will let you tf down. True then, true now and forever.

[@fuferito]

Notice people _voguing_ in the video years before Madonna picked up on it. Jody Watley was the true trailblazer.

[@shyredwall]

I noticed the video is about the Balls in the gay and drag community. I see it now after watching the Streaming Show “Pose”. I didn’t notice it back in the 80’s when it came out.

[@bitterbold]

my girl, rocked back in the day.

[@19Dfuck]

She still does, saw her last night and she kicked ass!!

[@GodzillaKaijuGK]

@@19Dfuck Who’s ssa did she kick?

[@ladylaurenia]

She really resembles Sade! A beautiful woman.

[@ronaldwilliams8184]

Ahead of its time.

[@Eurodance90schick]

They need to bring songs like this one back for the 21st century I love the message in it about friends and it's so true too.

[@BigIndieFilms]

A gem of a song and video from one of our favorite colleagues. Billboard Multi Format Chart Topper. #9 Hot 100 #1 Dance and #3 R&B Hip-Hop R&B. Way to go Jody, we love you.

[@219records]

Look at them voguing before Madonna made it famous!

[@jayjones3276]

damn u right.... great observation. I fuck wit Madonna but u see how them people do?

[@blakkone4000]

She's NOT a trans woman. She's given birth at least twice if I'm not mistaken.

[@blakkone4000]

+esco bar Says the person questioning people's gender and sexuality..... with no content on their profile no less. Obviously a troll.

[@madamestbeatrice]

+L. Hill she's androgynous.

[@aniyah80]

Jody Watley gave birth to two children. A simple Google search would have revealed that. I'm so tired of people trying to say that just because a black woman is beautiful, that means they're transgendered. No, that's just a way for people like you to throw shade at them. P.S. she had one of those kids with Andre Cymone (the bassist from Prince and the Revolution) who she was married to. Save your conspiracy theories for the trash.

[@user-wd8pe1qf8u]

Classic!❤

[@ericjoyner7742]

sing it jodie your song friends is a song about the truth. The lyrics are so true.

[@Kevin198898]

today R&B Music cant Touch Jody Watley

[@DonnieBlaze28]

Song is deep af! First time paying attention to the words.

[@htiekmahned8859]

It's 2022 and friends will let you down.

[@jameyjones8863]

Ty Jody for Performing this gem @ Walt Disney world for Grad Night class of 90

[@kristiaspight332]

OMG...this song literally just popped in my head today...Jody is so underated...the creativity in this video is on another level🔥

[@kevinlong5392]

She was way ahead of her time. Her milkshake brought me to the yard. Unique and then some😎

[@blackirishrose4040]

who's listening to Jody for 2019

[@RBS_]

AHHHH! They used the Hank Shocklee 12" remix, for the Video!! FANNNTASTIC!! OK, trivia TIME: Rakim did a UHF interview LOOONG ago ('89), and discussed this video; He knew Jody was going to have something 'big budget', and thought he may be flown out to Paris (like the 'Still A Thrill; Video), or an exotic locale, and was anticipating the video shoot. NO ONE told him about the motif, so he just went along, thinking it was gonna be a 'stone gas, honey'... He resided in Harlem at the time, and they picked him up in a Limousine (the one in this video) in his neighborhood....and drove him ONE BLOCK, to a warehouse, filled with Drag Queens (LOVE the one with the 'tired' sign at 1:46!), downtown Club Kids, Bodybuilders in loincloths, gay black boys voguing, and the Elvis impersonator!! ...Rakim was NOT READY for that! he said, 'I thought I was gonna leave my 'hood for one night, and they drove me ONE BLOCK!'....ha-HAAA!! Jody was NO WHERE to be found, and only showed up when he had to the rap part on the stage! ..he said he wanted OUTTA THERE, but knew this would take him (and Eric B.) to new heights as 'street' rappers, reaching for a broader audience....BOY, did it EVER; they were RAW at the time, and this opened the door for Mariah / ODB, Rhianna / Drake, Beyonce / Jay Z, and MANY, MANY others...THIS was the template, all, so RESPECT Miss Watley, PLEASE!

[@pasotay]

I love the bridge..."there to wipe your tears away...from that new heartache!"

[@Nica-Ra-Wata]

Fuck I miss the great music of the 80s and 90s when it comes to HIP HOP in New York.

[@michaelmaqua5179]

Sometimes the friends who have your back are usually people that you don’t even know who has your back because God can designate angels to be their for you when you least expect them to be there, especially when you’re on the streets, because most of the time that’s where you need them, because you have to live by a code, and if you don’t have that too bad and like she said you have to be a leader and that’s a mason .

[@STLHouseLegend]

Mo (the one voguer with the flattop) just made me the loveliest dinner last month, down to the macaroni & cheese! Brooklyn's finest, baby! AND HE STILL SERVES THE OLD WAY, BTW!! You kids would gag...

[@jarrelely1376]

STLHouseLegend do you ever see Grace Jones in Brooklyn NY? I'm always over there

[@oldirtydasher]

The God MC and the Goddess Dance Singer

[@Jezabhaal]

Love you JODY

[@michaelmaqua5179]

The friends Who I had they.held me up in the penitentiary because I remember where I came from and how I grew up hard and you never forget who was there for you because almighty god designated all my friends and I was a leader who was chosen by my creator and I deemed myself JESUS number one DISCIPLE and that’s how I knew

[@t.o.o.smooth5870]

One of the first pop artists to embrace hip hop music.

[@masterninjaryuken1747]

I love u Jody Watley and you're absolutely right about that God bless u always and thanks for sharing

[@KennethPowers-tf7rt]

The message in this song is relevant now more than ever!!!☹️👍🏿

[@mariannebaskerville-hillia406]

Back in the good ole days ❤.

[@3774godoy]

Man, i forgot all about this song. So glad I found it!

[@thepenitent3633]

90s is the 80s on steroids!

[@OLMECTHUGS]

One or maybe the first to have a rapper and and RNB singer ,this was a big hit in the inner city .

[@suavehinrg]

Excellent, direct and factual lyrics. Awesome music video music too!

[@caperdon96]

real r&b from the 80's