24K魔幻 (2016)

"24K Magic" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars from his third album 24K Magic (2016). Atlantic Records released it as the album's lead single on October 7, 2016, for digital download and streaming. It was provided as an instant grat track for those who pre-ordered the album. Mars, Philip Lawrence and Christopher Brody Brown wrote the single. Calling themselves Shampoo Press & Curl, the three handled production, with additional production by the Stereotypes. The song has been described as a funk, disco and contemporary R&B track. The song's lyrics address extravagance, glamour, and the party lifestyle.

"24K Magic" was generally well received by music critics. Some of them complimented Mars' vocals and compared them to James Brown, describing the song as engaging, fun, and evoking feelings of nostalgia. Others criticized it for not being innovative as it tried to emulate "Uptown Funk" (2014). The song was a commercial success. It peaked at number four in the United States and number three in Canada and Australia. It has been certified five times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and Recorded Music NZ (RMNZ). The single reached number one in New Zealand, France, Belgium (Flanders) and Argentina. It has received a diamond certification in France Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique (SNEP) and diamond by Music Canada (MC). In the United Kingdom and Spain, the song peaked at number five, being certified three times platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

Director Cameron Duddy shot the song's music video with Mars. It depicts Mars and his bandmates partying and having fun in a Las Vegas casino. At the end of the video, Mars is riding a jet ski in the Fountains of the Bellagio Hotel. He performed "24K Magic" on television shows such as Saturday Night Live and The Late Late Show. It was first included on his 24K Magic World Tour (2017–18) and his Bruno Mars Live promotional tour (2022–24). The song received several nominations and won Record of the Year at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018. Kendrick Lamar's single "Loyalty" (2017) featuring Rihanna sampled the song's introduction.

Background and development

In September 2014, Bruno Mars tweeted "Now it's time to start writing chapter 3", hinting he was working on new music. Following the release of the successful Mark Ronson and Mars single "Uptown Funk" (2014), the latter headed to the studio to record more songs. Mars said he had no plans to release a new album "ntil it's done". It was due in March, but his appearance at the Super Bowl halftime show postponed it for several months. At the time, seven songs were already recorded. On October 3, 2016, Mars revealed the song title and release date through his Instagram account after he uploaded nine photos. They showed the singer looking down wearing a white hat with "XXIV k" inscribed on it. Mars wrote, "You can call it my first single, but I call it the invitation to the party".

The Stereotypes had known Mars and worked with him since 2007; however, after the singer signed a deal with Atlantic Records, they did not collaborate very often. Nevertheless, in 2015 Jonathan Yip talked with Mars about working together. Since the singer was already recording 24K Magic, Mars asked for "some beats" and Yip sent them. Later, he asked for more beats and the Stereotypes sent them, but they never heard from him and "nothing came of it". In June 2016, Yip touched base with Mars. He asked Yip if they would like to help him finish a song for his album, to add a little "seasoning". He needed another song with a certain tempo and key. Yip sent Mars an idea that caught his attention, and he asked the Stereotypes to come to the studio.

Once in the studio, it took them some time to "get the groove" on the track. They spent the first couple of hours catching up and having fun. When they began working, Ray Charles McCullough II was "getting scared". He felt this was a "make-or-break moment"—they needed to help Mars with the song. Ray Romulus recalled the singer telling them he wanted to create something that would make people dance again, because in clubs the crowd is on their phones, not moving and glancing at each other. At this point, Mars showed them a "rough idea" of the song. The Stereotypes started programming the drums for "24K Magic" and finished it in a day. It was the first track the team recorded for the album. Brody Brown affirmed: "On the song "24K Magic", we tried it many times until we found that gold."