Featured image: A young woman is sitting on a couch and playing an acoustic guitar. AI-generated image; not a photograph of the reported event.
Ashnikko made her Like A Version debut on Australian radio station triple j, covering Gwen Stefani’s 2004 solo hit ‘What You Waiting For?’ Source: billboard.com.
What Happened
During a live performance on triple j while on tour, Ashnikko performed Stefani’s song with a full backing band, including a harpist.
She stayed largely faithful to the original while adding her own electropop flair. The performance was part of the popular Like A Version segment, which features artists covering songs by others.
Key Facts
- ‘What You Waiting For?’ was the lead single from Gwen Stefani’s 2004 debut album Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
- The song reached No. 47 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Love. Angel. Music. Baby. peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200.
- Ashnikko described the song as ‘the song of my childhood’ and credited it as the inspiration for her music career.
- She performed her own song, ‘Sticky Fingers,’ during the segment.
Background
‘What You Waiting For?’ was a major early release for Gwen Stefani, marking her transition from her role in No Doubt to a solo career.
It helped launch a successful solo era that included hits like ‘Hollaback Girl’ and ‘Rich Girl,’ with Stefani becoming a four-time Grammy winner.
Ashnikko rose to prominence in 2019 with her viral TikTok hit ‘Stupid,’ which reached No. 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum.
Her 2023 debut album, Weedkiller, reached the Billboard 200, and she has built a following through genre-blurring music that mixes hyperpop, rap, and alternative styles.
Why It Matters
The performance highlights the influence of classic pop songs on emerging artists.
It also underscores the cultural significance of Like A Version as a platform for music discovery and connection across generations.
For Ashnikko, the cover was deeply personal—she said the song inspired her to pursue music, a sentiment echoed in her triple j debut interview.
What to Watch Next
Listeners can explore more of Ashnikko’s music on Billboard.
For Gwen Stefani’s full discography, visit Billboard.
Learn more about the song’s history and impact on pop music at Billboard Hot 100.
For a tribute to Gwen Stefani, see how Blake Shelton celebrated her 57th birthday on Chochilino.
