"What Would You Do?" is a song by American hip hop trio City High. It was released in March 2001 as the lead single from their self-titled debut album (2001). The track first appeared on the soundtrack of the 1999 film Life, starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence. The version of the song on City High's debut album differs from the one included on the Life soundtrack, as it features a sample of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's hit song "The Next Episode".
"What Would You Do?" peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100, number two in Australia and Ireland, and number three in the United Kingdom. In 2002, the song was nominated for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards, losing to Destiny's Child's "Survivor".
Content The song "What Would You Do?" along with the accompanying music video, was likely intended as a motivational anthem for single parents dealing with poverty and especially acknowledging all the single mothers who feel forced into prostitution due to the need to support their children. It encourages them to keep strong and keep going on for the sake of their loved ones. Some lyrics were accused of victim-blaming, for example, the verse where the male singers accuse the woman of making "tired excuses."
Track listings US CD single and Australian CD1 "What Would You Do?" (album version) "What Would You Do?" (instrumental) "Caramel" (snippet) "Best Friends" (snippet) "Didn't Ya" (snippet)
UK CD single "What Would You Do?" (album version) – 2:50 "It Ain't the Same" – 3:41 "What Would You Do?" (X-Men vocal remix) – 4:22 "What Would You Do?" (CD-ROM video) – 3:18
UK 12-inch single A1. "What Would You Do?" (album version) – 2:50 A2. "What Would You Do?" (instrumental mix) – 2:48 B1. "What Would You Do?" (X-Men remix) – 4:22
UK cassette single "What Would You Do?" (album version) – 2:50 "What Would You Do?" (X-Men vocal remix) – 4:22
European CD single "What Would You Do?" (album version) "What Would You Do?" (X-Men remix)
Australian CD2 "What Would You Do?" (album version) "What Would You Do?" (X-Men remix) "What Would You Do?" (instrumental) "What Would You Do?" (video)
Credits and personnel Credits are taken from the City High liner notes.
Studios Recorded at Trackhouse Recording Studios and Booga Basement (New Jersey, US) Mixed and mastered at The Hit Factory (New York City)
Personnel
Robby Pardlo – writing, production Ryan Toby – writing, production Andre Young – writing Calvin Broadus – writing Brian Bailey – writing Wyclef Jean – production Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis – production Serge "Sergical" Tsai – mixing, engineering Joe Yannece – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2001)PeakpositionCanada (Nielsen SoundScan)19Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS)5Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)10South Africa (RISA)5US Billboard Hot 1008US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)13US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard)1US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)2US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)2
Year-end charts Chart (2001)PositionAustralia (ARIA)29Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)78Ireland (IRMA)13Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)83Netherlands (Single Top 100)94Sweden (Hitlistan)80Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)67UK Singles (OCC)18US Billboard Hot 10022US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)66US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard)2US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)24US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)11
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesMarch 27, 2001Rhythmic contemporary radioJune 5, 2001Contemporary hit radioUnited KingdomSeptember 24, 2001AustraliaOctober 1, 2001CD1December 3, 2001CD2
References