What If

The Making and Chart History of "What If" by Jason Derulo

Jason Derulo released "What If" in late 2010 as part of the sustained commercial campaign surrounding his self-titled debut album. The album had been released in March 2010 and was anchored by the massive success of "Whatcha Say," his debut single that had reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and established him as one of the year's most commercially successful new artists. "What If" followed several other singles from the album and represented a continuation of the project's commercial lifecycle during the holiday season of 2010.

Derulo, born Jason Joel Desrouleaux in Miramar, Florida, on September 21, 1989, had been working in the music industry since his teens, primarily as a songwriter for other artists before launching his own recording career. His breakthrough was distinguished by his distinctive practice of announcing his own name at the beginning of his recordings, a marketing signature that became one of the most recognizable in contemporary pop and helped build immediate brand recognition for a new artist entering a crowded commercial field.

The production for "What If" was developed within the contemporary R&B and pop framework that producer J.R. Rotem had helped establish for the debut album. Rotem, one of the more successful producers in commercial R&B and pop during the late 2000s and early 2010s, worked with Derulo to develop a sound that was melodically accessible, rhythmically contemporary, and vocally showcasing in a way that highlighted Derulo's training and technical abilities. The recording featured the kind of polished, studio-refined production that was characteristic of mainstream R&B radio material of the period.

"What If" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 27, 2010, entering at number 76 during the week of Thanksgiving, a commercially competitive period in the music calendar. The song reached its peak position at number 76 in its debut week and dropped to 96 the following week, remaining on the chart for a total of two weeks. While this chart run was brief and modest compared to the number-one performance of "Whatcha Say," the Hot 100 placement confirmed continued commercial interest in Derulo's music as the initial burst of attention from his debut began to settle into a more stable audience relationship.

The commercial context of late 2010 was one of significant competition in the pop and R&B marketplace. Jason Derulo had established himself as one of the year's most visible new artists, but sustaining that level of attention through subsequent singles proved challenging as the album cycle extended into its later stages. "What If" served more as an album track elevated to single status than as a primary commercial priority, reflecting the standard dynamics of managing a debut album release over an extended commercial window.

The album Jason Derulo had been a significant commercial success, driven primarily by the performance of "Whatcha Say" and the follow-up single "In My Head," which had also charted strongly. "What If" contributed to the album's overall commercial profile during this final phase of its promotional campaign, maintaining Derulo's radio and digital presence during a period when he was also beginning the creative process that would lead to his second album.

Derulo's vocal performance on "What If" demonstrates the R&B vocal technique that had been central to his development as an artist. Trained in musical theater as well as contemporary pop and R&B, he brought a precise and emotionally communicative approach to his studio recordings that distinguished him from many of his contemporaries who relied more heavily on digital production enhancements to compensate for vocal limitations. This technical foundation gave his recordings a live performance quality that translated well to the arena-scale concerts he would go on to headline.

The song accumulated meaningful streaming and YouTube activity in the years following its release, reflecting the broader pattern by which Derulo's music maintained audience interest well beyond its initial commercial window. His global fan base, which had grown substantially through his active engagement with social media and his extensive international touring, ensured that his catalog retained commercial value in the streaming era. YouTube views reaching into the tens of millions confirmed the lasting appeal of his debut-era recordings for audiences discovering his work years after its original release.