Whatever U Like

The Pussycat Dolls debut studio album PCD (2005), was a commercial success that would end up selling 2.9 million records in the United States. The album featured number-one hit singles such as "Don't Cha" and "Buttons".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pussycat/pussycat-dolls-solo-work-on-hold-for-domination-idUSN1933256420080920|title=Pussycat Dolls' solo work on hold for "Domination"|last=Concepcion|first=Mariel|date=September 20, 2008|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Reuters|access-date=March 19, 2014}} The success of the group's album, spotlighted Scherzinger's work as the lead singer and began recording with other artists such as Timbaland and P. Diddy on "Come to Me" (2006);{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/12/14/nicole-scherzingers-solo-debut-delays/|title=Nicole Scherzinger's solo debut delays|last=Stack|first=Tim|date=December 14, 2007|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=October 26, 2018}} which became Scherzinger's first solo top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56843/ludacris-holds-off-akon-timberlake-to-remain-no-1|title=Ludacris Holds Off Akon, Timberlake To Remain No. 1|date=October 26, 2006|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 20, 2015}} The collaborations furthered Scherzinger's popularity who was working on her own music over the course of two years (2005–07) and viewed the group as a stepping stone to launch her own solo career. One of the first songs recorded for her solo project, Her Name is Nicole was "Whatever U Like" which was written and produced by Polow da Don and Sean Garrett.{{cite web|url=https://allhiphop.com/features/nicole-scherzinger-remember-the-name-yGhIga1Mkkex68_LC0y-rw/|title=Nicole Scherzinger: Remember the Name|author=AllHipHop Staff|date=December 3, 2007|website=AllHipHop|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-date=October 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027061524/https://allhiphop.com/features/nicole-scherzinger-remember-the-name-yGhIga1Mkkex68_LC0y-rw/|url-status=dead}} The song was leaked early July,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rap-up.com/2007/07/05/new-music-nicole-scherzinger-f-ti-whatever-you-like/|title=New Music: Nicole Scherzinger f/ T.I. – 'Whatever U Like'|date=July 5, 2007|magazine=Rap-Up|access-date=October 26, 2018}} before being released as a digital download on July 28, 2007.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/whatever-u-like-feat-t-i/260359765|title=Music – Whatever U Like (feat. T.I.) – Single by Nicole Scherzinger|date=January 2007 |publisher=iTunes Store (Australia). Apple Inc.|access-date=October 8, 2014}} Interscope Records never intended to ship the song to radio and wanted to use the single to introduce Scherzinger as a solo artist.

"Whatever U Like" is an up-tempo hip hop and R&B song with a length of three minutes and fifty-two seconds. The artists co-wrote the song with its producer Polow da Don.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/whatever-u-like-digital-single-r1415000 |title=Whatever U Like [Digital Single] – Nicole Scherzinger |website=AllMusic |date=2007-08-28 |access-date=2012-10-15}}{{cite web |url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=9090800&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714102304/http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=9090800&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |title=Whatever U Like (Nicole Scherzinger) BMI Work #9090800 |publisher=BMI Repertoire (Broadcast Music Incorporated) |access-date=2011-08-16 }} The song's beat was compared to Kelis' "Blindfold Me" (2006) and Chilli's "Straight Jack" which were both produced by Polow da Don.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2007/07/02/nicole-scherzinger-album-preview/|title=Nicole Scherzinger Album Preview|date=July 2, 2007|magazine=Rap-Up|access-date=June 8, 2016}} Rosie Swash of The Guardian compared the "rave-horn, synth-heavy production" to the works of Timbaland.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/aug/07/mia.women|title=Marching with the Pussycat Dolls|date=August 7, 2007|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=March 9, 2015}} Lyrically, Scherzinger sings about doing whatever her man likes: “riding it like a Harley.” Garrett appears throughout the song repeating the lines, "Ladies and gentlemen, I know what you want! She's hot as a stove. Her name is Nicole," while T.I. appears towards the middle of the track.

Rap-Up was one of the first media outlets to hear seven full tracks from Her Name is Nicole which included "Whatever U Like". A reviewer described the song as a "club banger", while commented, "It’s a perfect lead single and a good song to release in the summer." DJ Z from DJ Booth criticized the song for using the same beat and composition as Chilli's song "Straight Jack" writing: "Never a brilliant move to use a duplicate beat while dealing with a minor identity crisis, but if you’re Nicole Scherzinger, I guess it's OK?"{{cite web|author=DJ Z|title=Nicole Scherzinger – Whatever U Like ft. T.I.|url=http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/nicole-scherzinger-ft-ti-whatever-u-like/|access-date=November 8, 2012|work=DJ Booth}} Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine referred to the song while reviewing The Pussycat Dolls' second studio album Doll Domination (2008). He agreed with DJ Z writing it was a, "blatant rip-off of Kelis's 'Blindfold Me.'"; however he did write the song "was unjustly ignored."{{cite news|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/pussycat-dolls-doll-domination/1506|title=Pussycat Dolls: Doll Domination|work=Music Review|first=Sal|last=Cinquemani|publisher=Slant Magazine|date=September 22, 2008|access-date=November 8, 2012}} Adam Vary of Entertainment Weekly commented, "'Whatever U Like' is no 'London Bridge' — and that’s not exactly a high bar to reach."{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/recap/so-you-think-you-can-dance-season-finale/|title=The So You Think You Can Dance season finale|last=Vary|first=Adam|date=August 17, 2007|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=October 19, 2018}}

In the United States, "Whatever U Like" failed to make a chart appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 but peaked at number 4 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. It additionally stalled at number 73 on the US Digital Songs and number 83 on the US Pop Songs.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1047352/billboard-bits-nicole-scherzinger-polvo-myspace|title=Billboard Bits: Nicole Scherzinger, Polvo, MySpace|last=Cohen|first=Jonathan|date=August 17, 2007|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=November 15, 2012}} In Canada, the song fared better, managing to peak at number 57 on the Canadian Hot 100.

File:Nicole Scherzinger "Whatever U Like" music video.jpg

The official music video was directed by Paul Hunter who previously directed the Pussycat Dolls' debut single "Don't Cha" (2005).{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1499693/for-the-record-quick-news-on-gwen-stefani-pharrell-williams-ciara-dimebag-darrell-nirvana-shins-more/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903222015/http://www.mtv.com/news/1499693/for-the-record-quick-news-on-gwen-stefani-pharrell-williams-ciara-dimebag-darrell-nirvana-shins-more/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 3, 2014|title=For The Record: Quick News On Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams, Ciara, 'Dimebag' Darrell, Nirvana, Shins & More|author= MTV News Staff|date=April 6, 2005|publisher=MTV News. Viacom|access-date=September 1, 2014}} Filming concluded on May 25, 2007 in San Pedro, California.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2007/07/27/nicole-scherzinger-shoots-first-video/|title=Nicole Scherzinger Shoots First Video|date=July 27, 2007|magazine=Rap-Up|access-date=September 1, 2014}} On August 9, a short clip was leaked online.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2007/08/11/sneak-peek-nicole-scherzinger-whatever-u-like/|title=Sneak Peek: Nicole Scherzinger – 'Whatever U Like'|date=August 11, 2007|magazine=Rap-Up|access-date=September 1, 2014}} On August 20, Scherzinger appeared on TRL to premiere the music video.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2007/08/20/nicole-scherzinger-visits-trl/|title=Nicole Scherzinger Visits 'TRL'|date=August 20, 2007|magazine=Rap-Up|access-date=September 1, 2014}}

The video begins with spotlights hitting a wall, with Scherzinger running from an unidentified person, revealed to be four masked kidnappers. Sean Garrett performs his opening sequence as Scherzinger is captured and concealed within a box, where she performs the first verse and chorus, before escaping the box. Scenes of Scherzinger floating through water are interspersed with her dancing before a spotlighted stage, and performing in front of a black background. Throughout the next chorus, Scherzinger is shown walking along a bench covered in steaming stones. During T.I.'s rap, the two are concealed in the box, with Scherzinger seductively crawling all over him. Next Scherzinger is shown covered in mud before standing beneath a shower washing it off. Different shots of the singer from the previous scenes are spliced together throughout the next chorus. Scherzinger is now shown in a black leather outfit during Sean Garrett's verse dancing before a backdrop, with spotlights shining on her, spliced with scenes of the producer rapping, her former assailants now dance in front of her. The video ends with Scherzinger leaving the backdrop.

Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly graded the music video B− adding that it "badly needs levity, and more of the T.I. cameo."{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/article/2007/08/23/ew-critiques-six-hot-music-videos/6/|title=EW critiques six hot music videos|last=Greenblatt|first=Leah|date=August 23, 2007|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time Inc.|access-date=October 19, 2017|archive-date=October 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019060824/http://ew.com/article/2007/08/23/ew-critiques-six-hot-music-videos/6/|url-status=dead}}

Scherzinger performed the song for the first time on the finale of the third season of the U.S. television show So You Think You Can Dance on August 17, 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.nicolescherzingermusic.com/news/default.aspx?nid=8559 |title=Nicole Scherzinger : News : Watch Nicole Scherzinger perform on So You Think You Can Dance FINALE TONIGHT! |publisher=Nicolescherzingermusic.com |date=2007-08-17 |access-date=2011-08-16}} On September 9, 2007 Scherzinger performed the song along with Lil Wayne, who was filling for T.I. at the preshow of the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. Scherzinger was wearing a "red cocktail dress, black boots and leather gloves."{{Cite news |first=Gil |last=Kaufman |title=Britney Spears Kicks Off Show, But VMA Night Belongs To Rihanna And Justin Timberlake |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1569254/vma-night-belongs-rihanna-justin-timberlake.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404045946/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1569254/vma-night-belongs-rihanna-justin-timberlake.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 4, 2011 |work=MTV News |publisher=MTV Networks |date=September 10, 2007 |access-date=November 8, 2012}} Gil Kaufman commented, "Before Brown had them pounding the stage in excitement or Britney had them scratching their heads in confusion, Pussycat Dolls lead kitten Nicole Scherzinger got the party started early during the preshow with a sizzling hookup with Lil Wayne." He continued, "They made an interesting team on a night that was full of many different varieties of hookups." Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times agreed with Kaufman describing the performance as "one of the best musical moments came before the show started."{{Cite news |first=Kalefa |last=Sanneh |title=For MTV, the Best May Have Been Off-Camera |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/10/arts/music/10mtv.html |work=The New York Times |date=September 10, 2007 |access-date=November 15, 2012}} On September 27, Scherzinger performed on Yahoo!'s Pepsi Smash.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2007/09/27/video-nicole-scherzinger-on-pepsi-smash/|title=Video: Nicole Scherzinger on Pepsi Smash|date=August 27, 2007|magazine=Rap-Up|access-date=September 1, 2014}} The following month she performed at KIIS-FM’s Homecoming concert at the Honda Center and performed "Whatever U Like", "Baby Love", and "Supervillain".{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2007/10/28/kiis-fms-homecoming-concert-misses-more-than-it-hits/|title=KIIS-FM's Homecoming concert misses more than it hits|date=March 19, 2011|work=Orange County Register|access-date=Jun 6, 2017}}

• ;Digital download{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/fr/album/whatever-u-like-feat-t-i-single/260359765 |title=Whatever U Like (feat. T.I.) – Single de Nicole Scherzinger – Télécharger Whatever U Like (feat. T.I.) – Single sur iTunes |publisher=iTunes |date=2007-07-30 |access-date=2011-05-21}}

1. "Whatever U Like" (featuring T.I.) – 3:53

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Category:2007 songs

Category:2007 debut singles

Category:Nicole Scherzinger songs

Category:T.I. songs

Category:Songs written by Nicole Scherzinger

Category:Songs written by T.I.

Category:Songs written by Polow da Don

Category:Songs written by Sean Garrett

Category:Song recordings produced by Polow da Don

Category:Music videos directed by Paul Hunter (director)