"Whip Appeal" peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in April 1990.

[2][3] The song received a Grammy Award nomination in the Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male category and a Soul Train Music Award nomination in the Best R&B/Soul Single, Male category.

[4][5] In a 1990 Newsday article, journalist John Leland described the song as "suggestive but not rude" and called it "the risque love ballad that has eluded Prince the last few years.

[7] Babyface met Tracey Edmonds, his wife from 1992 to 2005, when she auditioned for a role in the "Whip Appeal" music video.

The very next day, Tracey, her mom and brother happened to be driving down the street that I was on.