"Whatever" is the third and final single by R&B quintet

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from their self-titled debut album, ''

'' (1999). The song features guest vocals by Lil' Mo and additional vocals and writing credits by Robert "R.L." Huggar (credited as R.L.-oquent) from the R&B trio

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. It also features production by Eddie Berkeley, Kobie and Kier "KayGee" Gist of Naughty by Nature. In 2001, the song won an ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Award for "Award-Winning R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". To date, "Whatever" is the group's second and last-known successful single.

Background

A demo for the song was originally recorded by KayGee and R.L. in the former's

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basement studio. When the duo heard that Ideal needed an uptempo song, the demo was given to them and later went on to be re-recorded at The Battery Studios in New York City. Maverick Cotton, lead singer of Ideal, confirmed that the need for an uptempo song was due to the fact that "summertime ascoming up," and the group "just wanted to make a summertime jam hat peoplecould ride through the summer with." However, because the group's self-titled debut had already been completed and released months prior to the single's finalization, Ideal confirmed that "Whatever" would see a release on the "future pressings of the lbum"

Music video

On April 13 and 14 of 2000, the music video for the single was shot in

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and directed by

Darren Grant Darren Grant is an American television, film and music video director. He has directed over eighty music videos for mostly R&B and hip hop artists. In 2005, Grant directed his debut film Tyler Perry's '' Diary of a Mad Black Woman''. In 2008, ...

. It also featured cameo appearances by KayGee and R.L., however it excluded guest vocalist Lil' Mo due to undisclosed reasons. In late April 2000, the video premiered on

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Track listings and formats

;US 12" vinyl # "Whatever" (Club Mix) — 4:07 # "Whatever" (Instrumental) — 3:40 # "Whatever" (Richie Jones Revival Club Mix) — 8:11 ;UK CD single # "Whatever" (Radio Version) — 3:48 # "Whatever" (Richie Jones Revival Radio Edit) — 3:40 # "Whatever" (Club Mix) — 4:07 # "Whatever" (Richie Jones Revival Club Mix) — 8:11 ;"House Mixes" (12") # "Whatever" (Jason Nevins Club Mix) — 7:21 # "Whatever" (Dub A Lious Mix) — 7:50 # "Whatever" (Club 2000) — 8:34 # "Whatever" (Nevins Club Radio Edit) — 3:40 # "Whatever" (Nevco Urban Remix) — 3:44 # "Whatever" (Richie Jones Revival Club Mix) — 8:11 # "Whatever" (Richie Jones Revival Radio Edit) — 3:40 # "Whatever" (Richie Jones Revival Instrumental) — 8:18 # "Whatever" (RJ Instru-Dub) — 6:38

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

{{Lil' Mo 1999 songs 2000 singles Lil' Mo songs Songs written by Lil' Mo Music videos directed by Darren Grant Virgin Records singles Songs written by KayGee