Bruno Mars, a renowned American singer and songwriter, released his third studio album titled "24k Magic" in 2016. The album received widespread acclaim and was a commercial success, solidifying Bruno Mars' position in the music industry. **"24k Magic"** showcases Bruno Mars' signature style and combines elements of funk, pop, R&B, and dance music. The album's lead single, also titled "24k Magic," became an instant hit and topped the charts in several countries. The song's catchy beats, infectious energy, and Bruno Mars' smooth vocals capture the essence of the entire album. The other notable tracks on the album include **"That's What I Like,"** which won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song, and **"Versace on the Floor,"** which showcases Bruno Mars' soulful balladry.
The line between lovingly recreating the music of the past and cynically 3D-printing it for easy profit is fine and much fretted-over, sometimes at book length. And indeed, 24K Magic aims to recreate a time and a vibe much of its personnel weren’t even around for. (Said producer and Mars collaborator Brody Brown of a side project that sounds suspiciously 24K Magic-adjacent: “It’s going to make you feel like 1985—even though I wasn’t born until 1989.”) But in a self-conscious Vegas-revival way, 24K Magic pulls it off. It helps that it compresses all Mars’ personae into one. Go back to Smeezingtons cowrite “Fuck You” and you’ll find a blueprint: a retro-obsessed guy who makes songs your great-uncle recognizes, that also happens to be really, really horny. It helps that the album is barely over 30 minutes and meticulously sequenced, and it also helps that Mars is a notorious perfectionist (in a Rolling Stone interview earlier this year, he bragged about the dozens of versions of these tracks that got scrapped because the vibe wasn't right; routine studio business, to be sure, but Mars evidently takes it more seriously than most).
Go back to Smeezingtons cowrite Fuck You and you ll find a blueprint a retro-obsessed guy who makes songs your great-uncle recognizes, that also happens to be really, really horny. Lead single 24K Magic is a scrupulous compound of early- 80s funk tricks, another needed injection of good-time energy into commercial airwaves, but the album s true triumph is buried near the end -- not that it takes long to get there -- and scrapes the dawn of the 90s.
The other notable tracks on the album include **"That's What I Like,"** which won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song, and **"Versace on the Floor,"** which showcases Bruno Mars' soulful balladry. Each song on the album has its own unique flavor, but they all maintain a cohesive sound and vibe. Overall, **"24k Magic"** is a celebration of music, charisma, and the joy of life.
Bruno Mars
A born entertainer with a stage name ideal for a showman, Bruno Mars is not only a charismatic performer but also a songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and all-around studio collaborator whose Grammy nominations and awards have recognized his full range of talent. Putting a modern pop twist on styles such as early rock & roll and R&B, new wave, and reggae, Mars came to prominence in 2010, the year his name appeared at or near the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with B.o.B's "Nothin' on You," his own "Just the Way You Are," and CeeLo Green's "Fuck You" -- all three of which he had a hand in writing and producing. Those hits, along with Mars' multi-platinum debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans, led to a total of 13 Grammy nominations and a win for Male Pop Vocal Performance. Mars was only getting started. His 2012 return Unorthodox Jukebox, chart-topping Mark Ronson collaboration "Uptown Funk," and production for Adele's 25, followed by his 2016-issued third album 24K Magic, combined for ten Grammys including wins in three of the Big Four categories. Having contemporized several shades of funk, mid-'80s pop, and new jack swing on 24K Magic, Mars then teamed with touring partner Anderson .Paak to record a set of knowing retro-soul under the name Silk Sonic. Their 2021 LP An Evening with Silk Sonic became Mars' fourth platinum album with the number one pop hit "Leave the Door Open" alone taking four Grammys. The duo's 2022 cover of Con Funk Shun's "Love's Train," fronted by Mars with typically raspy conviction, has since become an R&B radio staple. Born Peter Hernandez in 1985 in Honolulu, Hawaii, Mars kicked off his career at the age of four by fronting his uncle's band, becoming Oahu's youngest Elvis impersonator in the process. Ten years later, he was impersonating the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, as part of the Legends in Concert show. After graduating high school in 2003, he took his uncle's advice and moved to California to pursue a music career. He eventually met songwriter Philip Lawrence, who convinced Mars to try his hand at writing songs for other artists. The two dubbed themselves the Smeezingtons and co-wrote Brandy's "Long Distance." The duo scored their first number one hit in 2009, when they co-authored Flo Rida's international smash "Right Round." By 2010, Mars seemed to be everywhere: singing alongside B.o.B on the chart-topping "Nothin' on You," co-writing "Billionaire," and collaborating with CeeLo Green on the Grammy-nominated hit "Fuck You." He also began issuing his own material, starting with the May 2010 release of his first EP, It's Better If You Don't Understand. Doo-Wops & Hooligans, his full-length debut, appeared later that year and quickly produced a number one single, "Just the Way You Are." He hit number one again with "Grenade" and remained in the Top Ten with "The Lazy Song" and "It Will Rain." In 2012, Mars both hosted and performed as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live, debuting tracks from his upcoming album. That record, the genre-jumping effort Unorthodox Jukebox, was released later in the year and featured the chart-topping single "Locked Out of Heaven," along with production from Mark Ronson, Diplo, and others. "Locked Out of Heaven" topped the Hot 100, and the album reached number two in the U.S. The second single, "When I Was Your Man," also hit number one. Unorthodox Jukebox later won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. All that success made Mars a natural for one of the world's most prestigious gigs, the half-time show for Super Bowl XLVIII, where he performed with Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2014. Mars later fronted Mark Ronson's "Uptown Funk," a song he co-wrote that was among the most popular singles of that year. It topped charts around the globe (becoming his sixth number one) and took home several Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year. In 2016, Mars returned with another funk-flavored hit, "24K Magic," and its parent album of the same title. Influenced by soul, funk, and '90s R&B, 24K Magic peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and produced Mars' seventh chart-topper, "That's What I Like," as well as "Finesse" with rapper Cardi B and "Versace on the Floor," which was also released as a remix by David Guetta. The album took home the Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. In February 2019, Mars again collaborated with Cardi B on the track "Please Me," which landed at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. That July, he paired with Ed Sheeran and Chris Stapleton on the song "Blow." In early 2021, Mars teamed with Anderson .Paak -- who opened the European leg of the 24K Magic World Tour -- as Silk Sonic. After releasing their first single, "Leave the Door Open," in March, the duo made their television debut with a performance at the 2021 Grammy Awards. A year later, the pair dominated the 2022 Grammys ceremony, taking home awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song for "Leave the Door Open" from their global Top Ten debut, An Evening with Silk Sonic. Also in 2022, the duo returned to the airwaves with a faithful cover of Con Funk Shun's 1982 deep quiet storm classic "Love's Train."
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Bruno Mars
A born entertainer with a stage name ideal for a showman, Bruno Mars is not only a charismatic performer but also a songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and all-around studio collaborator whose Grammy nominations and awards have recognized his full range of talent. Putting a modern pop twist on styles such as early rock & roll and R&B, new wave, and reggae, Mars came to prominence in 2010, the year his name appeared at or near the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with B.o.B's "Nothin' on You," his own "Just the Way You Are," and CeeLo Green's "Fuck You" -- all three of which he had a hand in writing and producing. Those hits, along with Mars' multi-platinum debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans, led to a total of 13 Grammy nominations and a win for Male Pop Vocal Performance. Mars was only getting started. His 2012 return Unorthodox Jukebox, chart-topping Mark Ronson collaboration "Uptown Funk," and production for Adele's 25, followed by his 2016-issued third album 24K Magic, combined for ten Grammys including wins in three of the Big Four categories. Having contemporized several shades of funk, mid-'80s pop, and new jack swing on 24K Magic, Mars then teamed with touring partner Anderson .Paak to record a set of knowing retro-soul under the name Silk Sonic. Their 2021 LP An Evening with Silk Sonic became Mars' fourth platinum album with the number one pop hit "Leave the Door Open" alone taking four Grammys. The duo's 2022 cover of Con Funk Shun's "Love's Train," fronted by Mars with typically raspy conviction, has since become an R&B radio staple. Born Peter Hernandez in 1985 in Honolulu, Hawaii, Mars kicked off his career at the age of four by fronting his uncle's band, becoming Oahu's youngest Elvis impersonator in the process. Ten years later, he was impersonating the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, as part of the Legends in Concert show. After graduating high school in 2003, he took his uncle's advice and moved to California to pursue a music career. He eventually met songwriter Philip Lawrence, who convinced Mars to try his hand at writing songs for other artists. The two dubbed themselves the Smeezingtons and co-wrote Brandy's "Long Distance." The duo scored their first number one hit in 2009, when they co-authored Flo Rida's international smash "Right Round." By 2010, Mars seemed to be everywhere: singing alongside B.o.B on the chart-topping "Nothin' on You," co-writing "Billionaire," and collaborating with CeeLo Green on the Grammy-nominated hit "Fuck You." He also began issuing his own material, starting with the May 2010 release of his first EP, It's Better If You Don't Understand. Doo-Wops & Hooligans, his full-length debut, appeared later that year and quickly produced a number one single, "Just the Way You Are." He hit number one again with "Grenade" and remained in the Top Ten with "The Lazy Song" and "It Will Rain." In 2012, Mars both hosted and performed as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live, debuting tracks from his upcoming album. That record, the genre-jumping effort Unorthodox Jukebox, was released later in the year and featured the chart-topping single "Locked Out of Heaven," along with production from Mark Ronson, Diplo, and others. "Locked Out of Heaven" topped the Hot 100, and the album reached number two in the U.S. The second single, "When I Was Your Man," also hit number one. Unorthodox Jukebox later won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. All that success made Mars a natural for one of the world's most prestigious gigs, the half-time show for Super Bowl XLVIII, where he performed with Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2014. Mars later fronted Mark Ronson's "Uptown Funk," a song he co-wrote that was among the most popular singles of that year. It topped charts around the globe (becoming his sixth number one) and took home several Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year. In 2016, Mars returned with another funk-flavored hit, "24K Magic," and its parent album of the same title. Influenced by soul, funk, and '90s R&B, 24K Magic peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and produced Mars' seventh chart-topper, "That's What I Like," as well as "Finesse" with rapper Cardi B and "Versace on the Floor," which was also released as a remix by David Guetta. The album took home the Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. In February 2019, Mars again collaborated with Cardi B on the track "Please Me," which landed at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. That July, he paired with Ed Sheeran and Chris Stapleton on the song "Blow." In early 2021, Mars teamed with Anderson .Paak -- who opened the European leg of the 24K Magic World Tour -- as Silk Sonic. After releasing their first single, "Leave the Door Open," in March, the duo made their television debut with a performance at the 2021 Grammy Awards. A year later, the pair dominated the 2022 Grammys ceremony, taking home awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song for "Leave the Door Open" from their global Top Ten debut, An Evening with Silk Sonic. Also in 2022, the duo returned to the airwaves with a faithful cover of Con Funk Shun's 1982 deep quiet storm classic "Love's Train."
© David Jeffries & Andy Kellman /TiVo
Also improbable: that “Uptown Funk,” still inescapable at weddings and stadiums near you, still has life in it, let alone an album’s worth. The title track to 24K Magic is all but an explicit retread: YSL swapped out for designer minks, Chucks for Inglewood’s finest shoes, corny “dragon wanna retire, man” line for corny line about red getting the blues, “Oops Upside Your Head” biting swapped out for only slightly less lawsuit-prone Zapp voiceover vocoders. What it lacks in a hook it makes up for (almost) with vibe, and more importantly, earnestness.
It transports listeners to a lively and energetic atmosphere, where they can let loose and enjoy the moment. Bruno Mars' talent for blending various genres and his exceptional songwriting skills shine throughout the album. With **"24k Magic,"** Bruno Mars proved his ability to deliver chart-topping hits while maintaining his artistic integrity. The album not only demonstrates his growth as an artist but also solidifies his standing as one of the most talented musicians of his generation. In conclusion, **"24k Magic"** is a masterful addition to Bruno Mars' discography. Its catchy tunes, infectious energy, and Bruno Mars' unparalleled vocals make it a standout album in the music industry. Whether you're a fan of funk, pop, R&B, or dance music, this album is sure to provide a memorable and enjoyable listening experience..
Reviews for "The Cultural Significance of Bruno Mars' 24k Magic Album"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with Bruno Mars' "24k Magic" album. I had high expectations after his previous hits, but this album just fell flat for me. The songs all sound the same with the same generic beats and repetitive lyrics. I was hoping for something more unique and innovative, but it just felt like recycled pop music. Overall, I found the album to be unoriginal and lacked any standout tracks. I wouldn't recommend it.
2. John - 1 star - I don't understand the hype surrounding Bruno Mars' "24k Magic" album. It's just another generic pop album filled with forgettable songs. I couldn't distinguish one track from another as they all blend together in a sea of mediocrity. The lyrics are shallow and lack any depth, and the production is nothing special. I found myself skipping through the songs, trying to find something that would pique my interest, but unfortunately, I was left disappointed. Save your money and pass on this album.
3. Emily - 2.5 stars - For me, "24k Magic" by Bruno Mars was a letdown. While I enjoyed a few tracks, such as the title track and "That's What I Like," the majority of the album didn't resonate with me. The songs are catchy, but they lack substance and depth. It feels like Mars was trying too hard to create radio-friendly hits rather than focusing on creating meaningful music. Additionally, some of the tracks sound dated and reminiscent of early 2000s R&B, which didn't appeal to my taste. Overall, "24k Magic" didn't live up to my expectations and left me wanting more.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I found Bruno Mars' "24k Magic" to be a disappointment compared to his previous work. The album lacks variety and originality, with most songs blending together and sounding like typical radio pop. There are a few standout tracks, such as "Versace on the Floor," but they are overshadowed by the overall mediocrity of the album. The lyrics are shallow and the production feels formulaic. I expected more from Mars, but "24k Magic" failed to deliver a memorable listening experience.