"24K Magic" was generally well received bymusic critics. Some of them complimented Mars' vocals and compared them toJames 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 theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and by theAustralian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). It was certified six times platinum byMusic Canada (MC). The single reached number one in New Zealand, France, Belgium (Flanders) and Argentina. It has received a diamond certification in France and a platinum one in New Zealand. In the United Kingdom and Spain, the song peaked at number five, being certified three times platinum by theBritish Phonographic Industry (BPI).
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 successfulMark Ronson and Mars's 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 "[u]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.[1] On October 3, 2016, Mars revealed the song title and release date through hisInstagram 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".[2]
The Stereotypes had known Mars and worked with him since 2007, however, after the singer signed a deal withAtlantic Records they did not collaborate very often.[3] Nevertheless, in 2015 Jonathan Yip talked with Mars about working together. Since the singer was already recording24K 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, "nothing came of it".[4][5] 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.[4][5][6] Yip sent Mars an idea that caught his attention, and he asked the Stereotypes to come to the studio.[3][4][7]
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.[3][7][8] 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.[5] 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.[6][8] 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.[3][7]Brody Brown affirmed: "On the song "24K Magic", we tried it many times until we found that gold."[9]
In an interview withNME, Mars said he wrote "24K Magic" when "Uptown Funk" (2014) was "number one", so the songs share the same "spirit".[10] In another interview withZane Lowe forBeats 1, Mars explained that the album was going to be a movie and the lead single was its opening. He wanted the song "to get the party started". To achieve that it needed to sound genuine and that he was having a good time, so he used his emotions and feelings to guide him. He also admitted that "24K Magic' was influenced byWest Coast hip hop artists like "Dr. Dre,DJ Quik,Suga Free ... [they represented] a time when it was okay to party, to be flashy, to get on the dance floor".[11][12] In November 2017, Mars was a guest on theCharlie Rose Show sharing that the song was the vision he had intended for this album "I saw us having fun on stage. I saw us draped in silk and gold and me and my friends going up on stage and having the best time. It was important that we had the content to do so".[13]
Mars,Philip Lawrence and Christopher Brody Brown wrote "24K Magic". They handled the production under the name Shampoo Press & Curl with additional production by the Stereotypes. Mars, Lawrence, Brown andJames Fauntleroy provided the background vocals. Dave Foreman played the guitar, whileByron "Mr. Talkbox" Chambers and Mars provided the vocals on thetalk box.Charles Moniz, with engineering assistant Jacob Dennis, engineered and recorded the song at Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank.Serban Ghenea mixed "24K Magic" at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, withJohn Hanes serving as the mix engineer. It was mastered byTom Coyne at Sterling Sound, NYC.[14]
"24K Magic" premiered on October 7, 2016, at midnight on radio stationWBMX.[15] Atlantic Records released the single on the same day fordigital download andstreaming.[16] The album was made available for pre-order worldwide via Mars's official site, with the song as an instant download.[17] Warner Music Group also issued the track forradio airplay in Italy on the same date.[18]BBC Radio 1 began adding the song onto their playlists on October 8, 2016.[19] Subsequently, the song was released to US contemporary hit radio stations on October 11, 2016.[20] On May 26, 2017, Atlantic Records made a remix version by Dutch DJR3hab available for digital download and streaming.[21]
"24K Magic" is afunk,disco, andR&B song,[22][23][24] heavily influenced by hip hop.[25][26][27] It is composed in the key ofF minor at atempo of 94beats per minute.[28] The song begins with a talk box intro, performed by Byron "Mr. Talk Box" Chambers and Mars.[14] Initially, reviewers thought the vocals on the intro hadAuto-Tune, avocoder or synthetic vocals.[29][30][31] Eventually, they concluded that it was a talk box, developed byRoger Troutman andZapp, which heavily influenced the single.[27][30][32]Forbes andEntertainment Weekly's music critics noticed the resemblance between the "robotic-sound" intro on "24K Magic" andTupac Shakur's "California Love" (1995).[25][33] The song features several layers of funk synthesizers in its instrumentation, which drew comparisons toPrince.[27][32][34] It also features bass lines similar toThe Gap Band's style. Its structure borrows from "Uptown Funk" as Mars raps while singing the track with a "call and response" composition.[35][36] The bridge features a record scratching, while the backing vocals of Mars, Lawrence, Brown and Fauntleroy make heavy use of a vocoder.[35][36] The synthesizer riff and backbeat of "24K Magic" has been interpreted byThe A.V. Club as having a resemblance to the one in "The Message" (1982) byGrandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.[37] Critics found the sound to be closer to that of the 1980selectronica, hip hop and R&B, than the 1970s style of "Uptown Funk".[35][38]
The track reaches its "ebullient" and "infectious" chorus where Mars sings, "Put your pinky rings up to the moon, What y'all tryna do? 24K magic in the air".[33][34] All the verses are designed with a "call-and-response hook".[36] In the opening lyrics, Mars shouts, "Guess who's back again!/Oh, they don't know? I bet they know soon as we walk in", punctuating the verses, he continues with more confidence "I'm a dangerous man with some money in my pocket", while backed up by a chorus "adding tough-guy punch to his mellifluous" shouts.[27][32][36] The exhortations and confidence in his vocals reminded critics ofJames Brown.[27][39] The lyrics celebrate extravagances, glamour and the party lifestyle.[37][40] Many reviewers felt "24K Magic" condensed a playlist's worth 80's electro-R&B into one song, with a modern twist on its lyrics.[25][27][30]
"24K Magic" has received generally positive reviews frommusic critics.Entertainment Weekly's Eric Renner Brown gave "24K Magic" an "A" note. He praised the lead single, saying it is on the same level as Mars's earlier, "Just the Way You Are" (2010) and "Locked Out of Heaven" (2012), and maybe even better due to its "detail and finesse". According to Brown, these qualities along with "world-class vocals", allow "24K Magic" to "levitate". He felt Tupac Shakur's "California Love" (1995) andMichael Jackson'sOff the Wall (1979) influenced it.[33] Jay Willis ofGQ called the song "delightful"— the second part of "Uptown Funk". Willis praised Mars for using the same formula as the earlier single and described the intro as "reminiscent of mid-1990sK-Ci & Jojo".[36] Carl Williott ofIdolator rated the song a nine out of ten, comparing it to "Pure Funk compilations, West Coast G-funk and toMidnight Star". Williott said the track did not bring anything new, but it came at a time when there were not enough party songs. In the same review, Mike Wass awarded the song 8 out of 10 feeling that it is a mash-up of the 70's, 80's and 90's R&B into "a nuclear-power party anthem" to be played in discos over the next years.[41]Time's Tekendra Parmar called the title track "delicious".[22] The staff ofRap-Up thought Mars created a great song, calling the hook "infectious".[34] Jason Lipshutz ofBillboard compared "24K Magic" to the TV showStranger Things (2016), since both evoke nostalgic feelings. Lipshutz found the single "impressive", with a "killer groove" that mashed the "G-funk" genre into a song with modern elements. He also complemented Mars's vocals and "ear for melody".[30] Patrick Bowen, reviewing the album for Idolator, said "24K Magic" has the best chorus Mars ever wrote, being superior to "Uptown Funk" in every detail.[35]
In a mixed review for Idolator, Rachel Sonis gave "24K Magic" a 6.5 out of 10. She described the track as "glossy, lavish and teeming with old-schoolThe Neptunes vibes", but concluded that the single does not accomplish anything new. Robbie Daw of the site rated the track 5 out of 10 saying that it is a throwback to the 80's R&B as a continuation of "Uptown Funk". He too thought it did not add anything new to pop music—"it simply keeps the party going".[41]
The song was listed by several publications as being among the best songs of the year.Entertainment Weekly's Ray Rahman dubbed the song a "bulletproof party jam", ranking it number 35 on the list of 100 songs.[42] On the list of the 101 best songs of 2016 compiled bySpin, the publication ranked the song at number 61 and Winston Cook-Wilson said that Mars emulated the style he listened to while growing up and was nothing but impressive.[43] On theBillboard 100 Best Pop Songs of 2016: Critics' Picks list, the single was placed at number 64. Taylor Weatherby wrote that Mars was able to "create another bonafide hip-shaker" like "Uptown Funk" thanks to "24K Magic"'s "infectious beat and James Brown-worthy vocal exhortations".[39]The Village Voice's annual year-endPazz & Jop critics' poll selected it as the 48th best song of 2016, tied withChildish Gambino's "Redbone" andBeyoncé's "All Night".[44] In 2017, "24K Magic" received a nomination for International Hit of the Year at the 2017 Danish GAFFA Awards.[45] It was nominated by the48th NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Song, Contemporary.[46] In the same year, "24K Magic" won Top 40 Single of the Year at theNew Music Awards.[47]
In the United States, "24K Magic" debuted at number five on theBillboard Hot 100 with 101.000 downloads, 12.8 million streams and 65 million radio impressions in its first full tracking week. At the time, it was Mars's highest debut on the Hot 100 chart.[61] On the week of December 10, 2016, the single reached its peak of number four on theBillboard Hot 100.[62] "24K Magic" became Mars's seventh number-one song on theBillboardRhythmic chart, and peaked at number two on the Dance Club Songs and Dance/Mix Show Airplay charts.[63][64][65] It peaked at number three on theBillboardAdult Pop Songs andHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.[66][67] "24K Magic" peaked at number three on theCanadian Hot 100 for the week of December 31, 2016.[68] TheRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it five times platinum.[69]Music Canada (MC) certified it six times platinum.[70] As of September 2017, the single has sold 1,722,000 pure copies in the US.[71]
"24K Magic" debuted at number one on France'sSyndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) chart for the week ending October 15, 2016.[72] It was certified diamond by the SNEP.[73] In Belgium, it reached the top spot on theUltratop 50 in Flanders and earned a platinum certification.[74][75] In its third week on the ArgentinianMonitor Latino chart, the track reached the top spot.[76] The song entered at number 13 on theNew Zealand Singles Chart and peaked at number one, spending two weeks in the top spot.[77] It has received a platinum certification byRecorded Music New Zealand (RMNZ), with over 30,000 certified units.[78] In Australia, "24K Magic" debuted at number 12 on theARIA Singles Chart, and ultimately peaked at number three.[79] The song has been certified five times platinum by theAustralian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), with 350,000 certified units.[80] The single peaked at number four on thePortuguese Singles Chart after debuting at number 20.[81]
The song's official music video was filmed inLas Vegas, Nevada.[99] Some of thefilming locations included theFountains of the Bellagio hotel and theFremont Hotel and Casino.[100] Mars and his frequent collaboratorCameron Duddy directed the video released on October 7, 2016.[22] It begins with Mars's private jet landing at theMcCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Surrounded by luxurious cars, the jet's steps are lowered.[34][100][101] Then, Mars is seen wearingVersace, designer minks and a baseball cap with XXIV written on it as he starts to put on his golden jewelry that consists of rings, necklaces chain, and sunglasses.[34][101][102] His band, The Hooligans, feature in the music video wear lightweight tracksuits.[34][102] The rest of the video includesintercut shots of Mars and his band having fun by the poolside, partying, drinking and playing the tables at theMGM Grand Las Vegas.[29][34][101] They party and dance, with glasses of champagne in their hands, inside and at the front of casinos.[29] The video features several women wearing "door knocker earrings" in bikinis and sometimes wearing men's denim, while theytwerk.[101][102] Other scenes include the singer and some of his bandmates driving down the Strip in a blackCadillac Allanté convertible, later purchased by Mars, and riding power-driven scooters in the casino, while "throwing money in the air".[10][29][34] At the end of the video, Mars rides a jet ski in the Fountains of the Bellagio hotel.[22][34]
Raquel Rose Burger ofBillboard noticed the 1990ship-hop trends included in the music video, including the likes of tracksuits, gold chains andsnapbacks, among others.[102] Partick Bowen from Idolator found the music video "approximately 95% stunting".[35]NME's Rhian Daly criticized the video clip not only for its lack of originality but also the number of clichés. Daly pointed out how Mars could not stop showing off how rich he is.[101] Tom Breihan ofStereogum considered the second promotional music video average with nothing "especially fun or spontaneous about it". However, he felt "it does have a lot of very beautiful women in it".[106] Jordan Appugliesi fromEntertainment Tonight Canada thought the girls in the video looked "adorable" and they were having a blast "in the super fun video" while looking amazing.[103]
Mars first performed the song live onSaturday Night Live on October 15, 2016.[112] His performance was well received by critics. Daniel Kreps ofRolling Stone magazine praised the "electric performance" describing it as a "fluid, full-scale spectacle as the camera followed Mars and his singers down a hallway and into the audience" throwing an "epic dance party".[113] Christina Lee of Idolator praised the performance, writing that it was a party with a "California Love" vibe for the "Nae Nae generation". She added that Mars and his band came from backstage, "West Side Story-style, to join a crowd that was already dancing".[114] He also performed "24K Magic" live onThe X Factor UK, on October 30, 2016. TheDaily Express's Becca Longmire found the performance "epic".[115] It caused some controversy as he and his band were accused of "miming". The singer was "insulted" by the accusations and denied them.[10] Mars performed the song with his band on BBC Radio's 1Live Lounge on November 4, 2016.[116]
The singer performed "24K Magic" on November 6, 2016, at theMTV Europe Music Awards. Adelle Platon ofBillboard praised his show, saying it was "an illuminated performance" thanks to thepyro used.[117] He was also complemented on his "disco moves ... synched with lights on the stage floor".[118] Later that month, he performed the single on the Norwegian television talk showSkavlan and on the following day at the2016 NRJ Music Awards.[119][120] Mars also performed the single at the2016 American Music Awards on November 20. His band joined him on the stage, which featured an electric blue background and pyro. The performance included a break dance.[121] On November 30, the singer performed it on theVictoria's Secret Fashion Show 2016, aired on CBS. His performance was part of the "Bright Night Angel" segment.[122] DuringThe Late Late Show withJames Corden on December 13, 2016, Mars included "24K Magic" on the popular segmentCarpool Karaoke.[123] Mars also performed the single on top of theApollo Theater marquee alongside the majority of the24K Magic album for hisCBS prime time special titledBruno Mars: 24K Magic Live at the Apollo, which aired on November 29, 2017.[124][125] The track was the second song on the set list of his third tour—24K Magic World Tour (2017–18).[126]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. † Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.
^O'Donnell, Kevin; Greenblatt, Leah; Vain, Madisson; Feeney, Nolan; Goodman, Jessica; Renner Brown, Eric; Rahman, Ray; Biedenharn, Isabella (December 9, 2016)."The 100 best songs of 2016".Entertainment Weekly.Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. RetrievedJune 11, 2018.
^"2018 ASCAP Pop Music Awards". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.Archived from the original on September 19, 2018. RetrievedJune 21, 2020.
^Fekadu, Mesfin (November 29, 2017). "Bruno Mars feels the magic".Niagara Falls Review. New York – viaPressReader.Mars's energetic dance moves and smooth vocals are at the forefront of Bruno Mars: 24K Magic Live at the Apollo, which debuts Wednesday on CBS. He recorded the special at the Apollo Theater in New York's Harlem, performing the majority of his third album, 24K Magic.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 49. týden 2016 in the date selector. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 45. týden 2016 in the date selector. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 48. týden 2016 in the date selector. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201641 into search. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
