Few performances capture the raw energy of early 2000s pop-R&B quite like the Pussycat Dolls’ AMA appearance featuring Busta Rhymes. Whether you grew up with this track or are discovering it now, watching Nicole Scherzinger command that stage is a genuine masterclass in vocal technique.
In this breakdown, we unpack the key singing concepts at play throughout “Buttons” so you can understand what is actually happening in her voice, and in Busta Rhymes’ delivery, and start applying those same tools to your own singing.
Chest Voice and Vocal Fold Thickness in “Buttons”
From the very first moments of the performance, Nicole settles into a chest voice quality. Chest voice refers to the lower part of the singing range where the vocal folds are thicker and vibrate more fully. In “Buttons”, you can hear this clearly as she almost speaks on pitch during the opening verse. The sound sits low in the range, the folds are heavy, and there is a density to the tone that is characteristic of chest voice production.
One important concept to understand is the relationship between vocal fold thickness and volume. Nicole shifts between thinner and thicker fold engagement throughout the track, and this is one of the primary mechanisms singers use to vary dynamic level. Here is what that looks and sounds like in practice:
- Thicker vocal folds produce a fuller, louder sound and are associated with chest voice
- Thinner vocal folds create a lighter, softer tone, as heard in Nicole’s quieter phrases
- Shifting between these creates dynamic contrast, which is what makes a performance feel alive rather than flat
Belting: What It Is and Where It Happens in “Buttons”
Belting is one of the most discussed techniques in contemporary singing, and the Pussycat Dolls’ AMA performance gives us a clear picture of how it functions. Belting occurs when the cricoid cartilage tips back, creating vocal folds that are thicker than their natural chest voice state. The result is that characteristic ringing, projected quality you hear on big notes.
In “Buttons”, the belt starts to emerge around the G4 to A4 range, which sits just above middle C. This is a typical entry point for belting in female voices. You can hear it in phrases like “loosen up my buttons” when Nicole pushes into that fuller, more metallic tone.
Importantly, belting is not simply about singing loudly. It involves a very specific mechanical setup in the larynx, and understanding that distinction is key to belting safely and effectively.
Thyroid Tilt and Tonal Sweetness
During the more intimate sections of the performance, Nicole brings the volume down and introduces a warmer, sweeter quality to her tone. This shift is largely the result of thyroid tilt, a technique where the thyroid cartilage tilts forward slightly, lengthening the vocal folds and adding a gentler, more lyrical colour to the sound.
This is most audible in the “talk about me, I’m a hot topic” section. Even though Nicole is still singing in chest voice, the dynamic drop and the added thyroid tilt produce something that feels softer and more intimate. It is a good reminder that vocal colour and volume are separate dimensions of technique, and skilled singers use both independently.
Falsetto and Airflow Management
The Pussycat Dolls’ AMA performance also features moments of falsetto, the lighter register produced when the vocal folds come together in a thinner, edge-only configuration. Falsetto requires a specific balance of airflow and volume that many singers get wrong.
The key principles for healthy falsetto in a performance like “Buttons” are:
- Pull back on volume rather than pushing for loudness in the upper register
- Allow slightly more airflow through the folds to maintain the lighter texture
- Avoid trying to achieve both maximum air and maximum volume simultaneously, as this tends to push the note sharp or flat
Nicole’s falsetto work throughout the performance demonstrates this balance well. She keeps the tone airy and light without reaching or straining, which is exactly the goal.
Twang: The Secret to More Vocal Volume
One of the more exciting moments in the performance comes when Nicole introduces twang into her delivery. Twang refers to a narrowing of the aryepiglottic sphincter, the area just above the larynx, which concentrates and amplifies the sound without requiring increased breath pressure. It is one of the most efficient tools for increasing volume in the singing voice.
In “Buttons”, you can hear twang appearing in the more projected, cutting moments of Nicole’s performance. The tone gets brighter and more focused, and it carries further without her needing to push harder. This is a technique worth developing as a singer because it allows you to increase presence in a room without straining the instrument.
How the Voice Changes Over Time: Nicole Scherzinger’s Darker Timbre
Comparing Nicole’s current performance to earlier recordings of “Buttons” reveals something fascinating about the aging voice. Her tone has darkened noticeably over the years. This is a natural and inevitable part of vocal development. As we age, the larynx continues to descend slightly, which lengthens the vocal tract and produces a richer, darker quality in the sound.
This is worth mentioning because younger singers sometimes try to imitate the darker, more mature timbres of established artists, forcing a low larynx position to achieve a sound their voice is simply not ready for yet. The truth is, time and continued training will bring those qualities naturally. Forcing them early creates tension and can cause long-term issues. Let the voice develop at its own pace.
Busta Rhymes and the Art of Fast Articulation
Busta Rhymes’ section of the AMA performance is a study in efficient articulation. Watching his delivery closely, you notice that his jaw, lips, and tongue move with remarkable economy.
There is no wide, exaggerated mouth movement. The jaw stays relatively relaxed with roughly a finger-width of space between the teeth, and the articulators do their job with precision and speed rather than size of movement.
This type of fast, clean delivery does not come from tongue twisters alone. Tongue twisters can sharpen specific patterns, but they do not systematically strengthen the full range of articulation muscles. What actually builds this kind of speed is targeted exercise work for:
- The lips
- The cheeks
- The tongue
- The jaw
These muscles respond to consistent, specific training in the same way any physical muscle does. Even as little as two minutes of focused articulation work per day, done consistently, will produce noticeable results in clarity and speed over time.
The same principles apply whether you are preparing for a rap-influenced vocal performance or working through a patter song in a musical theatre production.
Performing While Dancing: Breath Management in “Buttons”
One thing worth acknowledging about the Pussycat Dolls’ AMA performance is the physical demand it places on the voice. Nicole and the group are dancing extensively throughout the set, which significantly affects breath support and subglottic pressure. It is entirely normal for a lead vocalist to drop words or phrases during a physically demanding performance in order to take necessary breaths.
Holding back the breath to keep the vocal folds closed while the body is working hard is genuinely difficult. This is a skill that develops over years of performance experience, and it is why professional performers build stamina through physical training alongside their vocal training.
If you notice a singer dropping lyrics in a live dance-heavy performance, it is rarely a vocal failing; it is smart breath management. If you want to learn more about how you can learn to implement these singing techniques into your own voice, let’s sit down for a chat and discuss if the vocal academy is the right fit for you.