Face Time

Speaking of political, you also spoke recently about being prohibited from discussing your performance at the Gay Games in an interview with Chicago radio station V103 [WVAZ-102.7].
The funny thing about that was during the same week, I was seeing something on an online gossip site about Lance Bass coming out, saying it won't hurt him. That's really naïve because, sure, there are some people who are fine with it, and that's how it should be. But that's not how it actually is everywhere.

Can you talk about what happened specifically?
When we got to Chicago, it was surprising: I've done Gay Pride shows before, Fashion Cares in Toronto, and these events get publicity, but the Gay Games in Chicago were everywhere: on the front page, street signs, it wasn't quiet at all. But I went to V103, and they said, ''Just so you know, we can't discuss the Gay Games.'' I thought I'd misheard it. Nope. ''I'm sorry, I don't know why, but this comes down from management.'' I continued on with the interview — the DJ is one of the oldest in Chicago, he actually knew my father. And he apologized as we were leaving. But when we left and I thought about it, I was really taken aback. It was [the equivalent of] the Olympics being in town and I was performing at them, but I couldn't mention it. And I guess I could have not said anything about it, but I met [blogger] Keith Boykin at the Games, we talked about it, and he asked if I wanted to go on the record, and I said yes, because it's the truth. The station responded later and said it was a time issue, but come on, I only needed 20 seconds. ''Gay Games tonight, Soldier Field. The Makeover, August 8. Come to the in-store tomorrow. Love you all. Thank you.'' [Laughs.] Come on, that's a weak excuse.

[Editor's Note: Asked to comment about why Watley was told she could not discuss her Gay Games performance, Angela Ingram, vice president of communication for Clear Channel Radio in Chicago, replied that ''the focus of the interview was Ms. Watley's music, and the promotion of an in-store appearance.'']

The album's title track also tackles some topical stuff. What inspired that?
I have a niece who's 12. We were talking one day, and she was agitated: ''These boys get on my nerves. He was calling me his shorty.'' That's what they hear in the songs, but she wasn't having it, she didn't like it. And so when I did the lyrics, it came to mind, ''I'm not your shorty, I'm not your bitch/ No pushin' up on this.'' It feels so good to be empowered, especially for girls. You're gonna respect me! You are special whether you are on TV or not. Like Sly Stone said, ''Everybody is a superstar.'' I remember when I was a kid, that was something I felt: ''I'm a star. Everybody is a star.'' It's just a song, but again, music, it can resonate with you.

You seem to really use the Internet, your MySpace page, and other nontraditional ways of promoting yourself.
It's all a hustle! It's hard out here for a pimp! [Laughs.] I love the Internet, though, seriously. It's gonna totally change the music business. And I'm just happy to be a part of the downfall of that corporate structure.

Does that have anything to do with the fact that Atlantic Records never released your last major-label album, Flower?
In 1996, after being with MCA, I started Avitone, and that's when I released Affection. But I had a friend who worked at Atlantic, and they wanted me to come there. I thought, ''I'll try that.'' And it taught me a lesson, because in the end they shelved the album despite the fact that the first single [''Off the Hook''] was top 20 R&B, and a No. 1 dance record.

What was that like for you?
To this day, I'm telling you, it was the worst. It was a corporate fiscal thing; they had spent what they were going to spend for that corporate period, and it was like, ''Okay, that one's not coming out.'' I was on Rosie O'Donnell, The Tonight Show, saying, ''It'll be out next week.'' And then it wasn't! You know when they say people go postal? I had a moment where I wanted to go strapped with equipment into the offices of Atlantic. ''Call security! We've got Jody Watley. There's a situation here!'' [Laughs.] At that point, I thought, ''I'm done with the music industry. This is it! This sucks.''

So what changed your mind?
I heard [the album] Two Pages from 4 Hero, and it was a major, major turning point for me. It opened me up to the whole other side of the music business. All the artists that are making music just the way they want it to be. And if there's a small group of people that get that and love it, then that's what it's all about. It gave me the inspiration. ''Okay, all right, I'm ready again. I'm ready for more pain.'' And ironically, I did ''A Bed of Roses'' with 4 Hero.

So we know you like 4 Hero. What are you listening to right now?
My favorite record right now is Thom Yorke, The Eraser. My iPod is kind of all over the place. Exit Music: Songs for Radio Heads, I'm stuck on that. Bilal. Diana Ross' Blue is in rotation; it's gorgeous. Brand New Heavies. And also Justin Timberlake's ''SexyBack.'' I love it! [Laughs.] I'm serious. That's my favorite commercial song that's out there. I like that he could've done something that sounds like everyone else, but he really tried to be different and unexpected. Whatever sound you thought he was going to come out with, it's not that. It's so gritty. It almost sounds like a demo in a way. And trust me, even though record companies are probably hating it, there are 50 other people saying, ''I want something that sounds like that 'SexyBack'!'' And of course, none of them will be as good! [Laughs.]