Just when it looked like Bruno Mars might be done promoting his most recent album 24k Magic, he’s dropped another single from the collection, and this time, he’s joined by one of the hottest artists in the music industry today.
The pop singer has revealed that his new single is “Finesse,” one of the last songs featured on his third full-length. While the album version doesn’t feature anybody, the single features a verse by rapper Cardi B, who opens the cut. Mars has been looking into the past for direct inspiration for the past several singles (and all of 24k Magic), and that's immediately apparent on "Finesse." Bruno may have his name up front, but it's his female companion who steals the show, as her flow is simultaneously perfectly Cardi, yet somehow reminiscent of the early days of hip-hop, and it takes serious talent to be able to mix those two styles together. From the production to the backing vocals to Cardi's verse, this song could have been a serious smash in the early 90's, and the pair are hoping it will work these days as well.
“Finesse” will now serve as the fourth (and likely final) single from 24k Magic, which Mars has now been promoting for a long time, at least as far as pop albums are concerned. The record was previewed back in October 2016 when he shared the lead single and title track, which quickly became a certified hit. The glimmering tune made it all the way to No. 4, becoming his lucky thirteenth top 10 in the process. Not long after that tune began drifting down the Hot 100, he unleashed “That’s What I Like” onto the world as the title’s second official single. The track went on to hit No. 1 for just one week, giving Mars his seventh leader on the all-encompassing tally.
Follow-up single “Versace on the Floor” didn’t make it quite as high, though thanks in part to a remix by David Guetta, it did break into the Top 40.
The timing of “Finesse” being promoted to single status isn’t random, and in fact, Mars might not even be too concerned with how well it performs...though of course, the two musicians would love to see it do well. The chart-topping pop powerhouse has released the new remixed take on the former album cut just in time to put his name, and his album back in the spotlight. The Grammys are scheduled for later this month, and Mars is currently up for six Grammys, including Album, Record and Song of the Year, and he’s clearly interested in adding to his growing collection (he currently has five trophies to his credit). If he has a single going into the program and wins anything, it might help bolster the tune up the ranking, but first, he's got to get things started.
