Synopsis

Eddie Murphy and Michael Jackson perform against a bright blue, cloud-filled backdrop in this playful, heavily stylized video. Murphy begins by peering into a puddle, where a sad clown warns that "the elephant is dying." The imagery then expands into surreal animation featuring elephants, a sea turtle, and the Earth, before the two singers appear amid floating music notes, peace signs, and other computer-generated effects. The Harlem Boys Choir joins them for the song's optimistic appeal for environmental awareness, peace, and human responsibility.

Factoids & Trivia

• "Whatzupwitu" is a phonetic spelling of "What's up with you?" The song was written and produced by Eddie Murphy and Trenten Gumbs for Murphy's 1993 album *Love's Alright*.

• Michael Jackson's participation followed Murphy's appearance in Jackson's "Remember the Time" video. The two were friends, and Jackson reportedly agreed to the collaboration because he liked the song's positive message.

• The video's imagery was modeled in part on the cover artwork for *Love's Alright*, extending its cartoonish, cosmic look into live-action and computer-generated sequences.

• Animation and visual effects were produced with the involvement of Klasky Csupo, the company later widely associated with *Rugrats*. The result gives the clip its distinctive early-1990s combination of green-screen performance, simple 3D graphics, and bright pastel colors.

• The Harlem Boys Choir appears during the finale, reinforcing the song's childlike, communal tone rather than presenting the collaboration as a conventional pop duet.

• The video premiered in the United States in April 1993, shortly after the single's release.

• Its unusual visuals later became part of its reputation. In 1999, MTV viewers placed "Whatzupwitu" at No. 3 in the network's "25 Lame" countdown, and the clip was among the videos retired from regular airing as part of the stunt.