"What Would You Do?" | ||||
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Single by City High | ||||
from the album City High | ||||
Released | March 27, 2001 | |||
Studio | Trackhouse, Booga Basement (New Jersey, US) | |||
Length |
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City High singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"What Would You Do?" on YouTube |
"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 was originally included on the 1999 soundtrack of the film Life , starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence. [1] The version of the song on their debut album differs from that included on the Life soundtrack, as it features a sample of Dr. Dre's hit song "The Next Episode". [2]
"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". [3] [4]
The song, 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. However, it has also come under accusations of a victim-blaming approach, for example the verse where the woman is accused of making "tired excuses." [5] [6]
US CD single [7]
UK CD single [8]
UK 12-inch single [9]
| UK cassette single [10]
European CD single [11]
Australian CD single [12]
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Credits are taken from the City High liner notes. [2]
Studios
Personnel
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA) [53] | Gold | 35,000^ |
South Africa (RISA) [54] | Platinum | 50,000* |
United Kingdom (BPI) [55] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
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United States | March 27, 2001 | Rhythmic contemporary radio |
| [56] |
June 5, 2001 | Contemporary hit radio | [57] | ||
United Kingdom | September 24, 2001 |
| [58] | |
Australia | October 1, 2001 | CD | [59] |
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