What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock)

"What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock)"
Single by Fu-Schnickens and Shaquille O'Neal
from the album Nervous Breakdown and Shaq Diesel
ReleasedJune 8, 1993
Recorded1992[1]
StudioUnique Recording Studios, New York City[2]
GenreHip hop
Length3:57
LabelJive
Songwriter(s)Roderick Roachford, Joe Jones, Lennox Maturine, Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin McKenzie
Producer(s)K-Cut
Fu-Schnickens singles chronology
"True Fuschnick"
(1992) 		"What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock)"
(1993) 		"Breakdown"
(1994)
Music video
"What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock)" on YouTube

"What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock)" is the lead single from Fu-Schnickens' second studio album, Nervous Breakdown. The song featured NBA star Shaquille O'Neal and was produced by Main Source member K-Cut. The song was a top-40 hit in 1993 and was certified gold by the RIAA for sales of 500,000 copies.

Background

Released in the summer of 1993, "What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock)" became a top 40 hit, peaking at No. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song had previously been simply titled "What's Up Doc?" and featured a sample of Bugs Bunny saying the title, but because the group could not get sample clearance from Warner Bros., this version was not released. Meanwhile, NBA player Shaquille O'Neal had become a media sensation in his first season. In many interviews, he talked about his love of hip hop music and stated that Fu-Schnickens were his favorite group. This prompted the group to contact O'Neal for a collaboration. O'Neal recorded a verse that was added to the song, along with the spoken line "What's up, doc?" to replace the Bugs Bunny sample. Although the group had not yet completed recording their album Nervous Breakdown, the song was quickly released as a single to capitalize on O'Neal's popularity. The single was a Top 40 hit in the summer of 1993,[3] briefly propelling the group into the mainstream.[4] The song first appeared on an album recorded by O'Neal, Shaq Diesel. Nervous Breakdown was finally released in October 1994, over a year after the single's release.

Music video

The music video was filmed underneath the Manhattan Bridge, on the Manhattan side.[5] The clip was directed by Sarah Pirozek.[6]

Live performances

Shaq performed the song live with Fu-Schnickens on The Arsenio Hall Show on December 2, 1992.

Track listing

  1. "What's up Doc? (Can We Rock)" (LP Version)- 3:57
  2. "What's up Doc? (Can We Rock)" (K-Cut's Mad Master Remix)- 4:04
  3. "What's up Doc? (Can We Rock)" (K-Cut's Fat Trac Remix)- 3:59
  4. "True Fuschnick" (Phase 5 Euro-Dub Remix)- 4:19
  5. "Heavenly Father" (Tempted 2 Touch Murder Mix)- 5:10
  6. "What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock)"- 3:56

Charts

Chart (1993) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA Charts)[7] 59
Billboard Hot 100 39
Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 56
Billboard Hot Rap Singles 22
Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales 16
Billboard Dance Music/Club Play Singles 26

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[8] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Keith Murphy (2016-09-09). "'Shaq Diesel'". Andscape. Retrieved 2019-10-30.
  2. ^ https://www.facebook.com/UniqueRecordingStudios/photos/a.649655181769411/649655705102692/?type=3&theater[user-generated source]
  3. ^ "Fu-Schnickens: Charts & Awards". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  4. ^ Huey, Steve. "Fu-Schnickens: Biography". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  5. ^ youtube.com-Shaquille O'Neal featuring Fu-Schnickens - What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock)
  6. ^ "Fu-Schnickens with Shaquille O'Neal: What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock)". imdb.com. IMDb.com. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  7. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 109.
  8. ^ "American single certifications – Fu-Schnickens Feat. Shaquille O'Neal – What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock)". Recording Industry Association of America.