After the Breakup: The Solo Journeys of Jody Watley, Howard Hewett & Jeffrey Daniel

Life After Shalamar — Independence, Reinvention, and Legacy

When Shalamar split in the mid-1980s, it marked the end of an era — but also the beginning of three distinct creative paths. Each member — Jody Watley, Howard Hewett, and Jeffrey Daniel — carried the magic of Shalamar’s sound into new territories, evolving into unique artists with voices and visions of their own.

What started as a painful parting of ways became proof that each one had star power beyond the group.

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💃🏽 Jody Watley: The Visionary

Leaving Shalamar was never about ego for Jody Watley — it was about evolution.

After years of feeling boxed in by record label politics and creative limitations, Watley struck out on her own. Her instincts led her to craft a brand-new sound — sleek, fashion-forward, and unapologetically modern.

In 1987, she released her debut solo album, Jody Watley, featuring the hits “Looking for a New Love,” “Don’t You Want Me,” and “Still a Thrill.”
The project blended R&B, pop, and dance in a way that defined late ’80s style — lush synths, sharp beats, and Watley’s smoky, confident vocals front and center.

Her look and sound broke barriers. Watley was one of the first Black female artists to fully merge fashion, performance, and pop accessibility in the MTV era. With her bold visual style and her signature phrase — “Hasta la vista, baby” — she owned her image with the independence of an icon.

In 1988, she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, becoming one of the decade’s defining stars.

Jody Watley continued pushing boundaries through albums like Larger Than Life (1989) — featuring the global hit “Real Love” — and Affairs of the Heart (1991).
Beyond the charts, she paved the way for the rise of fashion-driven R&B icons such as Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, TLC, and Beyoncé.

“I’ve always believed in owning your narrative,” Watley once said. “Art should reflect who you are, not what people expect you to be.”

Her journey became a masterclass in creative reinvention — proof that empowerment and individuality could be just as influential as hit records.

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🎤 Howard Hewett: The Soul Man

While Jody Watley was redefining pop-R&B crossover, Howard Hewett followed his own compass — one that pointed straight toward soul.

After leaving Shalamar in 1985, Hewett launched his solo career with the Elektra Records release I Commit to Love (1986). The album showcased his velvet tone and gospel-rooted passion, producing hits like “I’m for Real,” “Stay,” and “Heaven Sent You.”

Critics praised his voice — rich, emotive, and timeless — as one of the finest male R&B instruments of the era.
Where Watley went futuristic, Hewett went spiritual — grounding his music in love, faith, and authenticity.

His subsequent albums — Forever and Ever (1988), Allegiance (1992), and It’s Time (1994) — continued that path, blending romantic ballads with gospel undertones.
Songs like “Show Me” and “Say Amen” became fan favorites, securing him a reputation as one of R&B’s most respected male vocalists.

Even today, Hewett remains a fixture on the soul and smooth jazz circuit, celebrated for his live performances and emotional connection to audiences.

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🕺🏽 Jeffrey Daniel: The Innovator

While Watley and Hewett took center stage vocally, Jeffrey Daniel left his mark as a true movement artist — a pioneer in dance, fashion, and performance.

After leaving Shalamar, Daniel became a highly sought-after choreographer and television personality. His innovative dance style — a fusion of funk, mime, and street performance — became legendary.

In 1982, before leaving the group, Daniel famously performed the “backslide” on the British show Top of the Pops. That move would later be renamed the moonwalk and popularized by Michael Jackson, who openly credited Daniel as one of his influences and collaborators.

Daniel went on to work with Jackson during the Bad and Dangerous eras, contributing choreography and creative direction to some of pop’s most iconic moments.

In the UK, he became a music and dance mentor, helping introduce the next generation to stage artistry. And in the 2000s, he reunited with Shalamar in various live lineups — keeping the spirit of the group alive on global tours.

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🎶 Full Circle: Shalamar Reimagined

Over the years, fans’ nostalgia for Shalamar’s signature blend of smooth vocals and synchronized moves brought the trio back together at different points.

• In 1996, Howard Hewett, Jeffrey Daniel, and new member Carolyn Griffey (daughter of Solar founder Dick Griffey) revived Shalamar for the album Destiny.

• Jody Watley, meanwhile, continued her solo success but later launched her own authorized version, Shalamar Reloaded featuring Jody Watley, blending classic hits with new material.

While the group never fully reunited in its classic form, each member maintained their piece of the legacy — proof that Shalamar’s influence ran too deep to fade.

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🌟 Legacy Beyond the Group

Collectively, the Shalamar alumni have left fingerprints all over modern R&B, dance, and pop culture:

• Jody Watley’s fusion of music, fashion, and individuality became a blueprint for female pop artists.

• Howard Hewett’s emotive vocal style inspired singers from Luther Vandross to Brian McKnight.

• Jeffrey Daniel’s choreography shaped how artists like Michael Jackson, Usher, and Chris Brown move today.

Together, they brought soul to style and rhythm to romance — crafting a sound and image that still echo through today’s R&B and dance music.

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🕊 Final Reflection

Sometimes, the best stories don’t end — they evolve.
For Jody, Howard, and Jeffrey, Shalamar was the launchpad, not the limit.

Their paths may have diverged, but their spirits stayed aligned — in rhythm, in creativity, and in the timeless groove they left behind.

🎵 “Make That Move,” they once sang. And they did — each in their own way.
What they created separately was as powerful as what they built together.