# Whatchulookinat

"Whatchulookinat" is a song by American singer Whitney Houston. One of the few songs she co-wrote, co-writers include Michael Andre Lewis, Tammie Harris, and Jerry Muhammad. The track was produced by Houston's husband Bobby Brown and Muhammad 2G. Lyrically the song was aimed at critics that were attacking her image at the time. It was serviced to radio on August 5, 2002, via Arista Records, as the lead single to her fifth studio album Just Whitney (2002). Multiple remixes were also made from producers such as Thunderpuss, Full Intention, and Junior Vasquez.
The track received mostly negative reviews from music critics and was an underwhelming success, only hitting number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 while cracking the top ten in five countries.

## Composition

"Whatchulookinat" was produced by Bobby Brown and Muhammad 2G and written by Whitney Houston, Andre Lewis, Tammie Harris, Jerry Muhammad.
The song was Houston's response to what she felt was intense and sometimes unfair and inaccurate media criticism at the time. "My following is real strong/ Try so hard to show the whole world what I do/ Now I'm turnin' the cameras back on you/ Same spotlights that once gave me fame/ Tryin' to dirty up Whitney's name," Houston sings. She then laments about people who've been "messing with [her] reputation" and "concentration" and don't "even have no education" on the chorus, singing, "I feel your eyes on me/ You been telling lies on me".

## Critical reception

Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| Entertainment Weekly | F |
"Whatchulookinat" received generally negative reviews. Chuck Taylor of Billboard magazine said, "This song co-produced by Bobby Brown and co-authored by Houston herself - comes across like a poor little rich girl whining. That's just boring.." Rolling Stone said that the song was "creaky and unconvincing." The Guardian wrote that on the song Houston "puts on in a bravura performance" while "sounding feisty". Gerrick Kennedy, author of the book Didn't We Almost Have it All: In Defense of Whitney Houston, called the track a "grossly miscalculated" move as it opened more criticism to her personal life. Vladimir Bogdanov of the book All Music Guide to Soul called out Houston for "playing the victim" and saying the track sounded like "she had something to hide."

## Chart performance

The single became a moderate success worldwide, peaking inside the top forty in most countries. The single performed strongly in some international markets; reaching number 3 in Canada, number 6 in both Belgium and Spain, number 7 in Italy and number 13 in the United Kingdom. In the US, it became her tenth Hot Dance Club Play topper. The single debuted and peaked at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her lowest debut since her first chart entry "Hold Me". It is also her lowest-peaking lead single to date.

## Music video

The corresponding music video directed by Kevin Bray was also considered as Houston's answer to the media for getting too deep into her personal life. During the introduction, actor/comedian Mike Epps plays an overzealous paparazzi photographers/fan who harasses Whitney as she exits the studio with Faith Evans. The inside of Epps' camera served as the fictional location of the video. The video showed a white set with cameras all over, following Houston's every move. The set was also full with old movie cameras and people dressed as reporters and photographers. Houston is shown dancing in front of them. Future Migos member Offset appears as a background dancer.

## Personnel

* Written by Whitney Houston, Andre Lewis, Tammie Harris and Jerry Muhammad
* Produced by Bobby Brown and Muhammad 2G
* Mixed by Kevin "KD" Davis at Zac Digital, Atlanta, GA
* Lead vocals by Whitney Houston
* Background vocals by Whitney Houston & Gary Houston
* Vocal arrangement by Whitney Houston