Ashnikko has covered Gwen Stefani’s 2004 hit “What You Waiting For?” for triple j’s Like A Version, delivering a new rendition of the song during an appearance at the Australian radio station’s studios. The performance was released on October 9, 2026, and features the American rapper and singer accompanied by a live band, bringing fresh instrumentation and theatrical energy to the original track.
The cover was recorded during Ashnikko’s recent Australian tour and marks her debut appearance on Like A Version. The performance features harp, drums, guitar, backing vocals and several synthesizers, combining live instrumentation with the electronic pop elements associated with Stefani’s original recording.
Speaking about the song choice, Ashnikko described “What You Waiting For?” as a defining influence on her musical journey. She first discovered Stefani’s debut solo album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby., when she received a copy for her 11th birthday. The album’s sound and visual presentation helped shape her interest in music and performance.
“This is the song, the album, that inspired my musical journey,” Ashnikko said in an interview accompanying the release. Reflecting on the full-circle moment of covering the track, she joked about what her younger self would think of the performance and its elaborate styling.
Ashnikko explained that she has long been drawn to the song’s portrayal of anxiety, particularly the uncertainty and pressure that can accompany a career in music. She described its shifting vocal perspectives as resembling an internal conversation about time running out and the expectations placed on women in the industry.
The original “What You Waiting For?” was released in 2004 as the lead single from Stefani’s debut solo album. Produced by Linda Perry, the song introduced Stefani’s solo career following her work as the lead singer of No Doubt. Its lyrics address hesitation, ambition and the pressure to take creative risks, while its music video draws on imagery inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Ashnikko’s version retains the song’s recognisable structure while introducing her own performance style. The arrangement incorporates a harp alongside the rhythm section and electronic textures, while the visual presentation includes bold costumes and theatrical details. The singer’s interpretation also reflects the influence of Stefani’s distinctive approach to combining pop music with fashion and elaborate visual concepts.
As part of the Like A Version appearance, Ashnikko also performed her own song “Sticky Fingers.” The segment pairs the cover with an original performance, allowing listeners to hear the connection between the music that influenced her and the sound she has developed in her own work.
The appearance follows Ashnikko’s recent SMOOCHIES tour dates across Australia and New Zealand. The tour supports her album SMOOCHIES, which followed her 2023 debut album, WEEDKILLER. The newer project takes a more autobiographical approach while expanding the singer’s blend of pop, rap and electronic music.
The Like A Version performance and accompanying interview were published by triple j in October 2026. The release includes Ashnikko’s cover of “What You Waiting For?”, her live rendition of “Sticky Fingers” and a conversation about the childhood album that helped inspire her musical career.
