What Would You Do? (City High song)

"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 and Snoop Dogg's hit song "The Next Episode".^[2]

"What Would You Do?"
Single by City High
from the album City High
Released	March 27, 2001 (2001-03-27)
Studio	Trackhouse, Booga Basement (New Jersey, US)
Length	3:32 (Life) 2:54 (City High)
Label	Interscope Booga Basement
Songwriter(s)	Robby Pardlo Ryan Toby Andre Young Calvin Broadus Brian Bailey
Producer(s)	Wyclef Jean Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis Robby Pardlo Ryan Toby
City High singles chronology
"What Would You Do?" (2001) "Caramel" (2001)
Music video
"What Would You Do?" on YouTube

"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]

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. 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]

Track listings

US CD single and Australian CD1[7][8] "What Would You Do?" (album version) "What Would You Do?" (instrumental) "Caramel" (snippet) "Best Friends" (snippet) "Didn't Ya" (snippet) UK CD single[9] "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[10] 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[11] "What Would You Do?" (album version) – 2:50 "What Would You Do?" (X-Men vocal remix) – 4:22 European CD single[12] "What Would You Do?" (album version) "What Would You Do?" (X-Men remix) Australian CD2[13] "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.^[2]

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) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[14] 2 Australian Urban (ARIA)[15] 1 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[16] 58 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[17] 14 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[18] 19 Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS)[19] 5 Denmark (Tracklisten)[20] 14 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[21] 10 France (SNEP)[22] 77 Germany (GfK)[23] 24 Ireland (IRMA)[24] 2 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[25] 13 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[26] 14 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[27] 20 Norway (VG-lista)[28] 5 Scotland (OCC)[29] 5 South Africa (RISA)[30] 5 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[31] 12 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] 7 UK Singles (OCC)[33] 3 UK Dance (OCC)[34] 5 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[35] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[36] 8 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[37] 13 US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard)[38] 1 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[39] 2 US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[40] 2

Year-end charts Chart (2001) Position Australia (ARIA)[41] 29 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[42] 78 Ireland (IRMA)[43] 13 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[44] 83 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[45] 94 Sweden (Hitlistan)[46] 80 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[47] 67 UK Singles (OCC)[48] 18 US Billboard Hot 100[49] 22 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[50] 66 US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard)[51] 2 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[52] 24 US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[53] 11

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[54]	Gold	35,000^
South Africa (RISA)[55]	Platinum	50,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[56]	Platinum	600,000‡
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	March 27, 2001	Rhythmic contemporary radio	Interscope Booga Basement	[57]
	June 5, 2001	Contemporary hit radio		[58]
United Kingdom	September 24, 2001	12-inch vinyl CD cassette		[59]
Australia	October 1, 2001	CD1		[60]
	December 3, 2001	CD2		[61]