Whatzupwitu Explained

Whatzupwitu
Cover:	Eddie_murphy-whatzupwitu_s.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Eddie Murphy featuring Michael Jackson
Album:	Love's Alright
B-Side:	I Was a King
Recorded:	January 1992
Genre:	R&B soul
Length:	3:21
Label:	Motown
Producer:	Eddie Murphy Trenten Gumbs
Chronology:	Eddie Murphy
Prev Title:	I Was a King
Prev Year:	1993
Next Title:	Desdemona
Next Year:	1993

"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. Jackson decided to participate in the song and video since he thought the lyrics had a positive message.^[1]

Critical reception

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

Music video

"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

CD maxi single (Netherlands)^[7] "Whatzupwitu" (album version) – 3:21 "Whatzupwitu" (instrumental version) – 3:21 "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] "Whatzupwitu" (Klub mix edit) – 3:52 "Whatzupwitu" (Hip hop remix edit) – 3:47 "Whatzupwitu" (Klub mix full) – 7:21 "Whatzupwitu" (Eclipse mix) – 6:30 "Whatzupwitu" (Hip hop remix) – 4:47 "Whatzupwitu" (LP version) – 3:21 CD single (France)^[11] "Whatzupwitu" – 3:21 "Whatzupwitu" (instrumental) – 3:19

External links

• Official music video
• Segment on the making of the video

Notes and References

1. Web site: Eddie Murphy - Whatzupwitu . MjTunes . 2011-09-29.
2. Web site: Love's Alright - Eddie Murphy | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic. www.allmusic.com.
3. Web site: Eddie Murphy - "Whatzupwitu" . mvdbase.com . 1993-04-19 . 2011-09-29.
4. Web site: Television Specials and Other Productions . www.klaskycsupo.com . 12 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/19980704141530/http://www.klaskycsupo.com/data/TV/TVspecials.html . 4 July 1998 . dead.
5. Web site: Pickard of the pops: Eddie Murphy ft Michael Jackson - Whatzupwitu. February 19, 2009. the Guardian.
6. Web site: MTV 25 Lame (Worst Music Videos) . Inthe00s.com . 2011-09-29.
7. Web site: Eddie Murphy - Whatzupwitu . swisscharts.com . 2011-09-29.
8. Web site: Eddie Murphy - Whatzupwitu (Remix) (Vinyl) at Discogs . Discogs . 2011-09-29.
9. Web site: Eddie Murphy - Whatzupwitu (Vinyl) at Discogs . Discogs . 2011-09-29.
10. Web site: Eddie Murphy - Whatzupwitu (CD) at Discogs . Discogs . 2011-09-29.
11. Web site: Eddie Murphy - Whatzupwitu (CD) at Discogs . Discogs . 2011-09-29.
12. 196.