Sampling and reimagining classic songs has been a timeless art form in the music industry, and artists such as Ava Max and Kygo have become renowned for their innovative takes on beloved tunes. In their latest collaboration, the single “Whatever,” they skillfully transform Shakira’s 2001 hit “Whenever, Wherever” into a contemporary tropical house anthem.
Kygo’s signature sound adds a fresh perspective to the familiar melody, creating a dynamic backdrop for Ava Max’s empowering lyrics. Departing from Shakira’s theme of longing, Max’s vocals assert independence, dismissing an unworthy partner with lines like, “Whatever, whatever / We were never good together / I’ll be here, and you stay there / the Truth is, I never cared.”
This track showcases the artists’ knack for revitalizing classics in a modern context. Kygo has previously reinterpreted iconic hits like Whitney Houston’s “Higher Love” and Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” At the same time, Ava Max has playfully tackled everything from dance hits like ATC’s “All Around the World (La La La)” to pop smashes like Bonnie Tyler’s “If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man).”
In a Nylon interview last year, Max emphasized the importance of doing interpolations justice, stating, “My opinion is they should always be done right. It shouldn’t be a knock-off of the whole song. That’s the beauty of bringing something back. You don’t want to give people the same thing. I take a lot of time on my songs — especially if I interpolate them.”