"Whatchamacallit" is a song by British singer Ella Mai, featuring American singer Chris Brown, released on October 4, 2018 through Interscope Records as a promotional single from her 2018 self-titled album.[1]
| "Whatchamacallit" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Ella Mai featuring Chris Brown | |
| from the album Ella Mai | |
| Released | October 4, 2018 |
| Recorded | 2017 |
| Genre | R&B |
| Length | 3:00 |
| Label | Interscope Records |
| Songwriter(s) |
|
| Producer(s) |
|
| Audio video | |
| "Whatchamacallit" on YouTube | |
Background and composition edit
Prior to the making of the song, Ella Mai mentioned Chris Brown as one of her biggest influences: “Vocally, he’s amazing,” she said. “If he didn’t come out the way he did and make the music that he did, I think I would be a completely different artist. He’s influenced an entire generation.”[2] The two then collaborated on "This X-Mas", a track contained in the "Cuffing Season: 12 Days of Christmas" edition of Brown's eighth studio album Heartbreak on a Full Moon (2017).[3] “Whatchamacallit” was originally teased in September 2017, before being released on October 4, 2018 through Interscope Records as a promotional single from Mai's self-titled debut album.[4]
"Whatchamacallit" is an R&B song[5] written by Brown, Sam Hook, Jordan Holt and Mai, while its production was handled by DJ Mustard. On the track the two artists serenade about a secret relationship.[6][7]
Critical reception edit
HotNewHipHop praised the song, writing: "Because of the similarity in their voices, Ella Mai and Chris Brown sound absolutely gorgeous together. When one harmonizes with the other, it's almost as if it's just a double of the original vocal, introducing an interesting dynamic to the song that we rarely hear with other artists".[1] The Guardian mentioned Chris Brown as an "A-list feature" on the track.[8]
Charts edit
Weekly charts edit
| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[9] | 66 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[10] | 21 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[11] | 84 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[12] | 3 |
Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[13] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[14] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[15] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Notes edit
- ^ Credited as co-producer
References edit
- ^ a b Zidel, Alex (October 4, 2018). "Chris Brown Features On Ella Mai's Latest Smash "Whatchamacallit"". HotNewHipHop.
- ^ "Ella Mai Recruits Chris Brown for New Single "Whatchamacallit"". Hypebeast. October 4, 2018.
- ^ Goddard, Kevin (December 13, 2017). "Chris Brown Releases Deluxe Edition Of "Heartbreak On A Full Moon" With 12 New Songs". HotNewHipHop.
- ^ "New Music: Ella Mai feat. Chris Brown - Whatchamacallit". October 5, 2018.
- ^ "New Song: Ella Mai & Chris Brown - 'Whatchamacallit' - That Grape Juice". thatgrapejuice.net.
- ^ Ichiki, Chase. "Ella Mai shares her newest collaboration with Chris Brown "Whatchamacallit"". REVOLT.
- ^ "New Music: Ella Mai feat. Chris Brown - 'Whatchamacallit'".
- ^ Kasambala, Natty (October 12, 2018). "Ella Mai: Ella Mai review – Boo'd Up singer's R&B statement of intent" – via The Guardian.
- ^ "Ella Mai – Whatchamacallit". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
- ^ "NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. October 22, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
- ^ "Ella Mai Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ^ "British single certifications – Ella Mai – Whatchamacallit". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ "American single certifications – Ella Mai – Whatchamacallit". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 3, 2023.