In light of a successful year for many great artists in 2017, many have made it their goal to continue surprising fans with new releases of songs and albums in the new year. Of these is a remix on Bruno Mars’ “Finesse.” The remix was performed by Mars himself with rap newcomer, Cardi B. The duo landed the number one trending spot on YouTube for multiple days as well as appearing in Billboard’s Hot 100 top ten. The remix took Mars’ original song of the same name from his album, 24K Magic, and added style and flare on top of the track. The track itself gave a 1990s vibe, but once fans avidly watched the music video, they saw that Mars has planned just that– for “Finesse” to be the ultimate throwback in outfit themes and track originality.
Even though it gave all fans the 1990s vibe, “Finesse” was especially inspired by 1990s show, In Living Color. This show, aired on Fox, gave a platform for many rising comedians, including Jamie Foxx, Marlon Wayans, and Jim Carrey. The show was monumental for its time, because it was the first to feature a line- up of mostly African Americans. Its controversy did not stop there. The Superbowl of 1992 was counterprogrammed by an anti-football episode of In Living Color which led the National Football League to hire popular artists to play during the halftime shows to ensure higher audience ratings. This monumental show shook the normal customs of America at that time, which is what Mars and Cardi B were alluding to throughout their music video. They challenge society’s norms by featuring an entire Black cast on top of having a female featurette in Cardi B.
Mars has become a household name over the years with the success of many of his singles and albums. He even topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart seven times with the inclusion of “Grenade,” “Locked out of Heaven,” and the “Uptown Funk!” collaboration with Mark Ronson. He also has had another 14 singles appear on the Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in the top ten.
Apart from Mars, Cardi B has quickly made a name for herself in the entertainment industry with the fast rise of her popular single, “Bodak Yellow.” Before her shot at stardom, Cardi B was known for her appearance in Love & Hip- Hop: New York. She was considered the breakout star of the show, continuing to star in it for the sixth and seventh seasons. It was after she left in 2016 that she decided to pursue music full time. It turned out to work in her favor. Later the next year, Cardi B went to the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart– the first female rapper to do so in almost two decades. She then went on to be featured in songs with Nicki Minaj and now, Bruno Mars.
Due to their separate successes, the “Finesse” remix stars are nominated multiple times for this year’s Grammy awards. Mars is nominated for Album of the Year with “24K Magic,” Song of the Year with “That’s What I Like,” and Best R&B Performance with “That’s What I Like.” Cardi B earned nominations for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song with “Bodak Yellow.” The Grammys will take place Jan. 28.
Sources: Billboard, IMBd
Josh Steen 
Ethan Goonewardene 
Chloe Rupe