Tony! Toni! Toné! reappears on Billboard following D’Wayne Wiggins‘ death.
The R&B group’s 1991 single “Whatever You Want” debuts at No. 8 on the R&B Digital Song Sales chart dated March 22. It’s their first entry on the chart, which was launched in November 2012.
The song, co-written by Wiggins and Carl Wheeler, was released as the final single from their platinum-selling second album, The Revival.
“Whatever You Want,” featuring lead vocals by Wiggins, previously reached No. 1 on the R&B charts and peaked at No. 48 on the Hot 100.
It’s worth noting the album’s other singles “Feels Good” and “It Never Rains (In Southern California)” were also No. 1 hits. The former track also peaked at No. 9 on the Hot 100.
Circling back to “Whatever You Want,” the devotional anthem was later sampled on the title track of Kelly Price‘s debut album, Soul of a Woman.
Carlos Valdez Thornton, co-producer of “Soul of a Woman,” told Rated R&B, “I always loved Tony! Toni! Toné!’s [‘Whatever You Want’]. I sampled the guitars and put drums and stuff around it.”
The song was later sampled by hip-hop artists, including Nelly (“Luven Me“), Ludacris (“Splash Waterfalls – Whatever You Want Remix“) and Meek Mill (“Whatever You Need” featuring Chris Brown and Ty Dolla $ign).
Wiggins passed away on March 7 after a year-long battle with bladder cancer at 64. His family confirmed the news via a statement on social media:
With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D’Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones. Over the past year, he has been privately and courageously battling bladder cancer. Through this fight, he remained committed and present for his family, his music, his fans and his community.
D’Wayne’s life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California. He was a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist, mentor and founding member of Tony! Toni! Tone! He was deeply passionate about providing artist development and mentorship to emerging young musicians, helping to shape the early careers of many.
For now, we ask that you continue to respect our privacy. We mourn with you, and are deeply grateful for your love and support.
Revisit Tony! Toni! Toné!’s “Whatever You Want” video below, or stream it on Spotify / Apple Music.
