What Would You Do? – City High | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#8) and R&B (#3); 2001
Story Behind The Song By Harris Sterling
In 2001, City High introduced themselves to a national audience with What Would You Do?, the lead single from their self-titled debut album. Written by group member Wyclef Jean along with Jerry Duplessis and others, the song blended hip-hop and R&B with socially conscious storytelling.
Released in the spring of 2001, the single reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbed to #3 on the R&B chart. Its success established City High as one of the breakout acts of the year.
Built around a stripped-down arrangement and conversational vocal delivery, the recording centers on a young mother facing financial hardship and difficult choices. Rather than sensationalizing the subject, the lyric presents a direct question to listeners, asking how they would respond in similar circumstances.
What Would You Do? earned a Grammy nomination and remains City High’s most recognized recording, noted for its focus on real-life challenges rather than conventional pop themes.
Produced by:
Wyclef Jean
Jerry “Wonder” Duplessis
Lyrics Written by:
Wyclef Jean
Jerry Duplessis
City High
Awards:
Nominated for Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (2002)
Harris Sterling
Independent music label executive Harris Sterling has worked in the music industry for most of his career.
As Executive Vice President for independent music label Madacy Entertainment, he led the strategic marketing and business development for the label, negotiating agreements with the major record labels to release custom music compilations under license with major brands, such as Ford Motor Company, Crayola, Care Bears and Elvis Presley Enterprises.
Harris also led Madacy’s strategy for the licensing of its entire music catalogue to Apple for their launch of the IPOD.
In 2011, Harris co-founded Starting Five Media, a company that specializes in recording and licensing custom renditions of popular songs as well as clearing the rights to the music composition for use by their clients in media projects.
Harris has negotiated publishing and master recording rights for many Top 40 songs for use in various media projects, TV Commercials and more.