Wikipedia

Whatzupwitu

"Whatzupwitu" (pronounced "what's up with you") is a 1993 R&B song by Eddie Murphy, featuring Michael Jackson. It is included as the sixth track on Murphy's third studio album Love's Alright. The song was written and produced by Murphy and Trenten Gumbs. It was released as the album's second single on March 30, 1993 by Motown Records. Jackson decided to participate in the song and video since he thought the lyrics had a positive message.[1]

"Whatzupwitu"
Single by Eddie Murphy featuring Michael Jackson
from the album Love's Alright
B-side"I Was a King"
ReleasedMarch 30, 1993 (1993-03-30)
RecordedJanuary 1992
Genre
Length3:21
LabelMotown
Songwriter(s)
  • Eddie Murphy
  • Trenten Gumbs
Producer(s)
  • Eddie Murphy
  • Trenten Gumbs
Eddie Murphy singles chronology
"I Was a King"
(1993) 		"Whatzupwitu"
(1993) 		"Desdemona"
(1993)
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Give In to Me"
(1993) 		"Whatzupwitu"
(1993) 		"Will You Be There"
(1993)

Critical reception

edit

AllMusic editor Steven McDonald wrote that despite being a featured artist, Jackson "steals 'Whatzupwitu' outright."[2]

Music video

edit

"Whatzupwitu" has been noted for its music video, directed by Wayne Isham and Klasky Csupo,[3][4] which was inspired by the album's cover art and also uses computer graphics.[5] This followed Murphy's guest appearance in Jackson's music video for "Remember the Time". It was voted by MTV viewers in 1999 as the third worst music video of all time, and permanently retired on the channel from being aired in its entirety on the MTV special 25 Lame.[6] The beginning of the video features Murphy looking through a puddle of water. In the puddle, there is a sad clown that says, "The elephant is dying." Then, there is an animated scene of three elephants standing on top of a sea turtle while holding the Earth on their backs. The scene changes to Murphy singing over various special effects over a blue sky, before Jackson appears and begins to sing along with him. The music video also features the Harlem Boys Choir singing and dancing around them.

Track listings

edit

CD maxi single (Netherlands)[7]

  1. "Whatzupwitu" (album version) – 3:21
  2. "Whatzupwitu" (instrumental version) – 3:21
  3. "I Was a King" (radio edit) – 4:05

12" promo (US)[8]

  • A1. "Whatzupwitu" (Klub mix full) – 7:21
  • A2. "Whatzupwitu" (Klub mix edit) – 3:52
  • A3. "Whatzupwitu" (Hip hop remix) – 4:47
  • B1. "Whatzupwitu" (Eclipse mix) – 6:30
  • B2. "Whatzupwitu" (LP version) – 3:21
  • B3. "Whatzupwitu" (Klub mix dub) – 6:34

12" single (US)[9]

  • A. "Whatzupwitu" (Klub Full mix) – 7:12
  • B1. "Whatzupwitu" (Klub mix edit) – 3:52
  • B2. "Whatzupwitu" (Hip hop remix edit) – 3:47

CD promo (US)[10]

  1. "Whatzupwitu" (Klub mix edit) – 3:52
  2. "Whatzupwitu" (Hip hop remix edit) – 3:47
  3. "Whatzupwitu" (Klub mix full) – 7:21
  4. "Whatzupwitu" (Eclipse mix) – 6:30
  5. "Whatzupwitu" (Hip hop remix) – 4:47
  6. "Whatzupwitu" (LP version) – 3:21

CD single (France)[11]

  1. "Whatzupwitu" – 3:21
  2. "Whatzupwitu" (instrumental) – 3:19

Charts

edit
Chart performance for "Whatzupwitu"
Chart (1993) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[12] 88
France (SNEP)[13] 36
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[14] 50
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15] 74

References

edit
  1. ^ "Eddie Murphy - Whatzupwitu". MjTunes. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  2. ^ "Love's Alright - Eddie Murphy | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  3. ^ "Eddie Murphy - "Whatzupwitu"". mvdbase.com. April 19, 1993. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  4. ^ "Television Specials and Other Productions". www.klaskycsupo.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 1998. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  5. ^ "Pickard of the pops: Eddie Murphy ft Michael Jackson - Whatzupwitu". the Guardian. February 19, 2009.
  6. ^ "MTV 25 Lame (Worst Music Videos)". Inthe00s.com. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  7. ^ "Eddie Murphy - Whatzupwitu". swisscharts.com. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  8. ^ "Eddie Murphy - Whatzupwitu (Remix) (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  9. ^ "Eddie Murphy - Whatzupwitu (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  10. ^ "Eddie Murphy - Whatzupwitu (CD) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  11. ^ "Eddie Murphy - Whatzupwitu (CD) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  12. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 196.
  13. ^ "Eddie Murphy – Whatzupwitu" (in French). Les classement single.
  14. ^ "Eddie Murphy – Whatzupwitu" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  15. ^ "Eddie Murphy Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Whatzupwitu&oldid=1254049612"