"Whatever" (ワレバ, Wureba) is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released on December 20, 2023, by EMI Records. Commissioned by Nestlé Japan, "Whatever" is the fourth song Ai recorded for the company to use in various promotional campaigns following a trend in Japan of writing messages on the wrappings of Kit Kats.
Background
In early 2022, Ai released a promotional single, "First Time", from her twelfth studio album, Dream.[1] To promote the song, Nestlé Japan featured an excerpt of the song in an animated television commercial advertising Kit Kats.[2] Near the end of 2022, Ai released "Start Again" for Nestlé Japan to use in televised commercials.[3][4] She also recorded a cover of Queen's "We Are the Champions" which was featured in Nestlé Japan's Kit Kat Best Ever television commercial.[5]
Promotion and release
Ai began teasing "Whatever" on social media days prior to its release. In an artist lineup for Music StationSuper Live 2023, media outlets reported Ai would be performing "Whatever".[6][7] On December 20, the song was released on digital stores as a promotional single. Nestlé Japan featured "Whatever" in a commercial depicting students preparing and taking their exams.[8]
Music video
A music video for "Whatever" was released on March 15, 2024 on Ai's YouTube channel.[9] Various artists and Japanese celebrities appear in the music video, including Awich, Mr. Maric, Deli, and Shinji Ono.[10]
Live performances
Ai performed "Whatever" for the first time on the day of its release at the Yushima Tenmangū shrine for Nestlé Japan's Kit Kat Student Support Campaign.[11] On December 22, 2023, Ai performed "Whatever" on the Music Station year end program, Super Live.[12]
^"AI、RIEHATA参加の新曲が＜きっかけは、キットカットで。＞CMソングに" [A new commercial song by AI and RIEHATA, <It all started with KitKat.＞]. Barks (in Japanese). February 21, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
^"山田尚子×「キットカット」アニメCM第2弾、公募で選ばれた母娘の実話をもとに制作（動画あり / コメントあり）" [Naoko Yamada x Kit Kat for 2nd animated commercial, based on the true story of a mother and daughter selected through public recruitment]. Natalie Comics (in Japanese). October 3, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
^"「キットカット」の実話を元に山田尚子監督がアニメ化、AIさんが新曲「Start Again」をTVCMソングとして書き下ろし！"きっかけは、キットカットで。"新TVCM第2弾、10月3日（月）より放映" [Director Naoko Yamada has made an anime based on the true story of Kit Kat, and AI has written the new song "Start Again" as a TV commercial song! "It all started with Kit Kat." The second new TV commercial will be aired from Monday, October 3rd.]. PR Times (in Japanese). October 3, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
^"Mステ『SUPER LIVE 2023』パフォーマンス曲発表。「オトナブルー」ほか今年を彩ったヒット曲続々" [Music Station "SUPER LIVE 2023" lineup announced. "Otona Blue" and other hit songs by artists that colored this year one after another]. Barks (in Japanese). December 15, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
^"ネスレ日本「キットカット」受験生応援CMで流れる曲は？" [What song plays in Nestlé Japan's "Kit Kat" exam support commercial?]. CDJournal (in Japanese). Retrieved March 16, 2024.
^"AI、新曲「ワレバ」MVにAwichや小野伸二など豪華面々がカメオ出演「人はお互いが支え合って生きている」" [AI's new song "Whatever" MV features cameo appearances from Awich, Shinji Ono, and more. "People live by supporting each other."]. Barks (in Japanese). March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
^"AI、娘が小学校受験に合格し嬉し泣き 失敗談も明かす「先生を笑わせようと思ったら」" [AI cries with joy after her daughter passes the elementary school entrance exam, and also reveals her failure story: "Here's how you want to make the teacher laugh]. Encount (in Japanese). Retrieved March 16, 2024.
