Whatta Man

Infobox Single
Name = Whatta Man


Artist = Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue
from Album = Very Necessary and Runaway Love
Released = 1994 (US)
Format = CD single
Cassette single
Genre = Hip-hop/R&B
Length = 4:42
Label = Next Plateau/London
Writer = Cheryl James
Dave Crawford
Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor
Producer =
Reviews =
Misc = Extra chronology
Artist = Salt-N-Pepa
Type = singles
Last single = "Shoop"
(1993)
This single = "Whatta Man"
(1994)
Next single = "None of Your Business"
(1994)Extra chronology
Artist = En Vogue
Type = singles
Last single = "What Is Love"
(1993)
This single = "Whatta Man"
(1994)
Next single = "Don't Let Go (Love)"
(1996)

"Whatta Man", which is a remake of Linda Lyndell's 1968 "What a Man" recorded for Volt records, is a 1994 single by Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue, taken from Salt-N-Pepa's 1993 album "Very Necessary". Issued by Next Plateau/London Records and produced by Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor, "Whatta Man" was a major hit for both Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, and at number seven on the UK Singles Chart. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group and the American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single. The single's music video, directed by Matthew Rolston, won three MTV Video Music Awards: Best Dance Video, Best R&B Video, and Best Choreography.

Cheryl "Salt" James and producer Hurby Azor wrote the single, which is built around a sample from the 1968 Stax hit "What a Man" by Linda Lyndell, written by Dave Crawford. "What a Man's" chorus of "What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man" is also repurposed for this recording.

En Vogue sang the entire vocals on all original and remixed versions of this song. While the song and video features all four members of En Vogue, Cindy Herron does not perform any of the lead vocals (which are performed in part by other members Maxine Jones, Terry Ellis, and led predominately by Dawn Robinson).

The song was also used for professional wrestler Jason Knight during his time with the Extreme Championship Wrestling promotion.

The song was also used for Dan Wilson (baseball) of the Seattle Mariners whenever his name was announced for a plate appearance at Safeco Field

It is believed that the song has also been featured in an episode of House MD (4.06 'Whatever It Takes') as the ringtone of protagonist Dr. Gregory House, but it's actually the original 1968 song "What a Man".

In the episode Hard Ball of "30 Rock", Tracy Jordan sings it when he wants to harmonize with Kenneth Parcell.

Cheryl "Salt" James later stated on SNL that this song was in fact written for a guy called Taz X who resides in Birmingham, England.

Charts

Awards and nominations

Parody

In the TV show Bill Nye the Science Guy, a parody of this song called "Whatta Brain" is featured on the Brain episode.