Haddaway created one of the most instantly recognisable songs in pop history. Released in 1993, “What Is Love” became an international phenomenon and one of the defining records of the Eurodance era.
But Haddaway’s story is far more complicated than a single worldwide hit.
Born in Trinidad, raised in the United States and launched to fame from Germany, Haddaway’s life has crossed countries, cultures and musical traditions. Before success arrived, he studied political science and history, played American football, worked in fashion and made music at night.
In this candid interview, Haddaway explains how he fought to retain control of his identity, voice and work—and why he refused an early offer for “What Is Love.” He discusses his creative relationship with producers Tony Hendrik and Karin Hartmann, the intervention of legendary record executive Clive Davis and the personal heartbreak that gave “What Is Love” its emotional power.
He also reflects on the extraordinary success of “Life,” “I Miss You” and “Rock My Heart”; the importance of MTV Europe; the sacrifices demanded by international fame; and the unexpected afterlife of “What Is Love” through Saturday Night Live, A Night at the Roxbury, Eminem and Lil Wayne’s “No Love,” and David Guetta’s “Baby Don’t Hurt Me.”
More than three decades after first asking the question, Haddaway explains what love means to him now: respect, communication, understanding and space.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
00:59 Life beside Lake Garda
01:35 Trinidad, identity and finding somewhere to belong
02:58 Learning music through the trumpet
03:50 Studying political science and history
05:44 Why Haddaway left America for Germany
06:44 American football, fashion and surviving in Cologne
07:12 The Haddaway name and protecting his identity
08:23 Fighting for control of “What Is Love”
09:21 Tony Hendrik, creative differences and learning to share
10:24 Refusing to imitate Joe Cocker and meeting Clive Davis
11:30 The heartbreak inside “What Is Love”
12:30 Meeting the woman who inspired the song again
13:05 The voice and performance that defined the record
14:16 When “What Is Love” became a cultural phenomenon
15:13 How worldwide fame changed his life
16:19 MTV Europe’s role in Haddaway’s success
17:09 Controlling his image, name and rights
18:29 What fame gave him—and what it took away
19:37 “Life,” “I Miss You” and the Ayrton Senna connection
20:39 Escaping the Eurodance label
21:02 The early Haddaway song that represents him best
21:55 What singing dance music really requires
22:45 Saturday Night Live and A Night at the Roxbury
24:11 Eminem and Lil Wayne’s “No Love”
24:54 David Guetta’s “Baby Don’t Hurt Me”
25:38 Being placed in the one-hit-wonder box
27:00 “The Sun” and taking complete creative responsibility
28:31 Optimism, responsibility and music with meaning
30:18 “Lift Your Head Up”
30:49 What if “What Is Love” had never succeeded?
31:34 The story behind his first name, Nestor
32:30 Why “What Is Love” remains a gift
33:13 Haddaway answers the question today
34:10 Closing thoughts
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