Mirror (Lil Wayne song)

"Mirror"
Single by Lil Wayne featuring Bruno Mars
from the album Tha Carter IV (Deluxe Edition)
Released September 13, 2011 (2011-09-13)
Format Digital download
Genre
Length 3:48
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Lil Wayne singles chronology
"Y.U. Mad"
(2011)		 "Mirror"
(2011)		 "Strange Clouds"
(2011)
Bruno Mars singles chronology
"Marry You"
(2011)		 "Mirror"
(2011)		 "It Will Rain"
(2011)

"Mirror" is a song by American rapper Lil Wayne featuring American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars. The second bonus track on the deluxe edition of Tha Carter IV (2011), it was first released to Urban contemporary radio stations as the sixth and final single on September 13, 2011, through Young Money, Cash Money, and Universal Republic Records. Dwayne Carter, Peter Hernandez, Phillip Lawrence and Ramon Owen wrote "Mirror". Owen also handled production as REO of the Soundkillers, and The Smeezingtons. The song leaked online a few days before the album's official release in the United States. The track was produced three years before its release; Owen, with Mike Caren's help, was able to get the track to several rappers, who rejected it. Lil Wayne liked the song after hearing it, however, and his verses were added to Mars' hook vocals already on the track.

Music critics gave "Mirror" positive reviews praising it for Mars' smooth, epic hook and Wayne's introspective verses. A hip-hop and pop-rap ballad with a somber beat, it's composition has been compared to "Lighters" (2011) by Bad Meets Evil featuring Bruno Mars and lyrically to Wayne's single "How to Love" (2011) from the same album. Its lyrics describe the downfalls of life, as well as Wayne's upbringing, state of mind, past choices and personal life. One of the rapper's verses draws inspiration from Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" (1987).

"Mirror" found some commercial success. It debuted at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Rhythmic chart. The single peaked at number 46 in Canada and number 17 in the United Kingdom—Wayne's highest charting single as a lead artist in the UK to date. It also peaked in the top 15 of Denmark, the Dutch Top 40, and appeared on charts in Switzerland, and Belgium (Flanders). It has been certified silver in the UK, and platinum in Australia and the United States. In Denmark, it received two different certifications, Gold for units shipped, and two times Platinum for its streaming numbers.

Antoine Fuqua directed the accompanying music video, filmed in November 2011, with visual effects created by GloriaFX. It depicts Wayne throwing red, black and white paint on the walls of a room creating an undefined painting, while Mars sits on top of a ladder singing. The video ends with a scene showing a painting of Wayne, toned in red, crucified on the cross holding a mic in his left hand. Critics complimented it saying that it made the "Mona Lisa look like Dogs Playing Poker". Wayne performs the song during his tours.[1]

Release and production

"Mirror" was released as the album's sixth and final single. Young Money, Cash Money and Universal Republic Records released the track to American urban contemporary radio stations, which began adding the track to their playlists on September 13, 2011.[2] On November 1, 2011, the single was re-released in the same format and to rhythmic contemporary stations by Cash Money and Universal Republic Records.[3][4] The song was made available in the United Kingdom via digital download on December 18, 2011.[5]

REO of the Soundkillers produced "Mirror" with co-production by The Smeezingtons. Dwayne Carter, Peter Hernandez, Philip Lawrence and Ramon Owen wrote the song. Michael "Banger" Cadahia and his assistant Edward "Jewfro" Lidow recorded it at CMR South Studios in Miami, Florida. It was mixed at the Record Plant in Los Angeles by Fabian Marascuillo, with Ghazi Hourani as mixing assistant.[6]

Background and lawsuit

Ramon "REO" Owen created the instrumental three years before its inclusion on Tha Carter IV. The producer, Reo" Owen of the Soundkillers, with help of Mike Caren, Atlantic Records A&R, was able to get this recording, which already had Bruno Mars singing the hook, heard by industry "heavy-hitters" including rappers Kanye West, Drake, and Nas. They rejected it. Lil Wayne liked the track and decided to keep it. "REO" initially wanted the track to be a part of West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). He to "settle[ed]" for it being included on Wayne's Tha Carter IV. He felt lucky it was given the amount of material recorded during the time an album is produced. Owen claimed he alone produced the track with The Smeezingtons as co-writers, however, the CD's liner notes also credit the team as co-producers. "REO" agreed that Wayne's verses captured the feeling of the song.[7] The track leaked on August 25, 2011.[8]

In late 2014, Ramon "REO" Owen filed a lawsuit against Wayne alleging he had promised him at least $91,000 for his work on the song. According to the lawsuit, Owen never received this payment.[9]

Composition

"Mirror" is a hip-hop and rap ballad[5][10][11] composed in the key of F Minor, set at a tempo of 80 beats per minute. The melody spans the tonal range of C4 to D♭5, while the music follows the chord progression of Fm-E-Cm–E♭–Db.[12] Its instrumental has been described as "an eerie wail in the background and a smothered kick-and snare-drum pattern".[7] This is noticeable due to its tripped-down production and melancholy harmonies, echoing and somber beats.[5][13][14] Rap-Up noted the resemblance between the structure of "Mirror" and "Lighters" by Bad Meets Evil, which also features Bruno Mars.[14]

The track has been described as "heartfelt", intimate, eerie and dark.[11][15][16] Mars shows his emo-angst by singing: "Through my rise and fall/ You've been my only friend" and Wayne gets "reflective" on his verses "Looking at me now I can see my past/Damn, I look just like my f--king dad/Light it up, that's smoke in mirrors/I even look good in the broken mirror."[5][7][13] Wayne not only shows his "warped, troubled mind" but also his softer side by rapping about his father.[14][15][17] Overall, Wayne reflects on his past choices and his life.[18] Various publications stated that Lil Wayne took inspiration from Michael Jackson in one of his verses: "And no message any clearer, so I'm starting with the "Man in the Mirror"."[14][17] Idolator's Becky Bain found similarities between Wayne's single "How to Love" from the same album for its "introspective, sad and sweet" lyrics.[17]

Critical reception

The song received positive reviews from most music critics. Lewis Corner of Digital Spy gave the song four stars out of five. He found that "The final result is much like the heartthrob himself; love-torn, moody and destined to be popular."[5] Nathan Slavik writing for DJ Booth praised the track for its "hit potential", Wayne's most "serious and world-wise" verses and his flow, which "often borders on the spoken word" allowing the listener to understand them. Slavik also complemented Mars "moving" hook. He dubbed the single as Wayne's new "take your lighters at stadium anthem" [sic].[16] Billboard's Joe DeAndrea commented that the track was not only among Lil Wayne's best material, and found the vocals on the hook provided by Mars are quite "smooth".[19] Another Billboard critic, Maria Sherman, praised Mars' hook, calling it "cinematic".[20] Reviewing the album, Omar Burguess of HipHopDX praised Wayne for "pushing the envelope" describing "Mirror" as a concept track.[21]

Conversely, brookencool of Complex included the track on his list of The 10 Worst Lil Wayne Songs. He felt Wayne's and Mars' vocals sounded "forced and pieced together", and deemed the collaboration ineffective. Moreover, the critic found the song's reflective lyrics about Wayne's past and his mistakes shallow compared to Wayne's "All By Myself".[18]

Commercial performance

In the United States, "Mirror" debuted at number 16, its peak, on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number six on the U.S. Hot Digital Songs chart, with 149,000 copies sold in its first week. It coincided with the release of Wayne's album Tha Carter IV.[22] The single peaked at number 22 and 25 on the Billboard Rhythmic Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts, respectively.[23][24] The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it Platinum for sales of over 1 million copies.[25] "Mirror" peaked at number 46 on the Canadian Hot 100.[26] In Australia the song peaked at number 26, while it peaked at number 12 on the Australia Urban single charts.[27][28] The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) certified "Mirror" Platinum with 70,000 copies sold.[29]

In Europe, "Mirror" debuted at number 12 on the Danish charts, spending 10 weeks there.[30] IFPI Denmark certified it twice Platinum due to its streaming numbers being equivalent to 200,000 copies and it was certified Gold for selling over 15,000 copies.[31][32] The recording debuted at number 47 on February 18, 2012. It eventually reached its peak at number 11 on April 7, 2012.[33] In the United Kingdom, the song debuted at 91 on the chart and peaked at number 17.[34] The BPI certified the song Silver for confirmed sales of over 200,000 units.[35] On the Dutch Top 40 charts, "Mirror" peaked at number 12.[36] The song managed to peak at number 13 and 15 respectively in Slovakia and Switzerland.[37][38]

Music video

Background and development

Antoine Fuqua directed the video for "Mirror".

Filming for "Mirror" music video took place in November 2011,[39] directed by Antoine Fuqua. GloriaFX created the visual effects. The company was responsible for the painting and the appearance and disappearance effects among others.[40] VEVO released a teaser of the music video on YouTube on January 27, 2012. The full-length video premiering on VEVO's official website on January 31, 2012.[41][42]

Synopsis

The video begins with a shirtless Wayne rapping to the song in a dimly lit workshop, while the camera shows various close-ups of his intricate tattoos.[42][10][20] As the chorus begins, Wayne is shown painting the room red as Bruno Mars sings, while seated on the top of a ladder intercut with shots of him standing up.[10][43][42] Wayne is also shown throwing red paint on the wall to create an unformed picture.[20] The rest of the video focuses on Wayne blasting red, black and white paint everywhere. Solo scenes use facial expressions to show his "playful personality".[10][42] The bridge begins with Wayne making the sign of the cross, before applying final touches to his painting. It is finally revealed that the painting is of Wayne himself crucified on a cross holding a mic in his left hand. The rather convoluted background includes a face, clouds and lightning, all toned in magnificent red.[10][42][44] Wayne and Mars stare at the masterpiece as the video comes to an end.[43]

Reception

Gregory Adams of Exclaim! complimented Wayne's final painting and called the rapper's video a "bizarre art world exploration".[10] AXS's Natalie Kuchik said the video was simple compared to the rest of Wayne's videography. Kuchik praised the way the music video was shot and Antoine Fuqua's direction.[42] Chris Coplan of Consequence of Sound said that the final scene made the "Mona Lisa look like Dogs Playing Poker."[43]

Credits and personnel

Recording and mixing
Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Tha Carter IV (Deluxe Edition), Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Universal Republic Records[6]

Charts and certifications

Release history

Country Date Format Label Ref.
United States September 13, 2011 Urban contemporary
  • Young Money
  • Cash Money
  • Universal Republic
 [2]
November 1, 2011 Rhythmic contemporary
  • Cash Money
  • Universal Republic
 [4]
Urban contemporary [3]
United Kingdom December 18, 2011 Digital download N/A [5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Horowitz, Steven (December 1, 2011). "Eminem & Lil Wayne Perform In Melbourne, Australia". HipHopDX. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Urban/UAC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on September 13, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  3. 1 2 "®R&R :: Going For Adds™ :: Urban". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012.
  4. 1 2 "FMQB: Lil Wayne ft. Bruno Mars Mirror". FMQB. October 25, 2012. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Corner, Lewis (December 26, 2011). "Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars: 'Mirror' - Single review". Digital Spy. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  6. 1 2 Tha Carter IV (Deluxe Edition) (CD booklet). Lil Wayne. United States: Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Universal Republic Records. 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 Markman, Rob (August 26, 2011). "Lil Wayne's Mirror had a long road to Carter IV". MTV News. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  8. ↑ Thiessen, Brock (August 25, 2011). "Lil Wayne "Mirror" (ft. Bruno Mars)". Exclaim!. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  9. ↑ Robertson, Iyana (October 7, 2014). "Lil Wayne Is Being Sued Again...This Time Over His Single, "Mirror"". Vibe. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Adams, Gregory (January 31, 2012). "Lil Wayne "Mirror" (ft. Bruno Mars) (video)". Exclaim!. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  11. 1 2 Joseph, Matt. "Lil Wayne And Bruno Mars Take A Look In The Mirror With New Music Video". We Got This Covered. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Lil Wayne and Bruno Mars - "Mirror" Sheet Music (Digital Download)". Musicnotes. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  13. 1 2 Lyle, Ashley (October 4, 2016). "Bruno Mars' Best Hip-Hop Collaborations". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "New Music: Lil Wayne ft. Bruno Mars – "Mirror"". Rap-Up. August 25, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  15. 1 2 Braboy, Mark (July 9, 2015). "Review: Lil Wayne Struggles With Freedom On 'Free Weezy Album'". Vibe. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  16. 1 2 Slavik, Nathan (September 1, 2011). "Lil Wayne ft. Bruno Mars - Mirror". DJ Booth. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  17. 1 2 3 Bain, Becky (August 25, 2011). "Lil Wayne And Bruno Mars Stare Into The "Mirror" On 'Tha Carter IV' Track". Idolator. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  18. 1 2 brookencool (August 13, 2014). "The 10 Worst Lil Wayne Songs". Complex. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  19. ↑ DeAndrea, Joe (October 12, 2016). "Bruno Mars' 5 Best Deep Cuts". Bilboard. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  20. 1 2 3 Sherman, Maria (January 31, 2012). "Lil Wayne Debuts 'Mirror' Feat. Bruno Mars: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  21. ↑ Burguess, Omar (August 29, 2011). "Lil' Wayne - Tha Carter IV". HipHopDX. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  22. ↑ Trust, Gary (September 7, 2011). "Adele's 'Someone Like You' Soars To No. 1 On Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  23. 1 2 "Lil Wayne Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  24. 1 2 "Lil Wayne Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  25. 1 2 "American single certifications – Lil Wayne – Mirror". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 17, 2016. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  26. 1 2 "Lil Wayne Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  27. 1 2 "Australian-charts.com – Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  28. 1 2 "Top 40 Urban ALbums & Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on March 18, 2012.
  29. 1 2 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2011 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
  30. 1 2 "Danishcharts.com – Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror". Tracklisten. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  31. 1 2 "Certificeringer - Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars - Mirror" (in Danish). IFPI Denmark. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  32. 1 2 "Certificeringer | ifpi.dk" (in Danish). IFPI Denmark. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  33. 1 2 "Ultratop.be – Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  34. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  35. 1 2 "British single certifications – Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 17, 2016. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Mirror in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  36. 1 2 "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 19, 2012" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  37. 1 2 "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201223 into search.
  38. 1 2 "Swisscharts.com – Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  39. ↑ "Lil Wayne Shoots "Mirror" Music Video with Bruno Mars". Rap-Up. November 5, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  40. ↑ "Lil Wayne & Bruno Mars — "Mirror"". GLORIA FX. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  41. ↑ "Mirror Music Video Teaser". VEVO. January 27, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  42. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kuchik, Natalie (February 1, 2012). "Lil Wayne releases official 'Mirror' music video feat. Bruno Mars". AXS. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  43. 1 2 3 Coplan, Chris (January 31, 2012). "Video: Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – "Mirror"". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  44. ↑ Daw, Robbie (January 31, 2012). "Lil Wayne And Bruno Mars Paint A Somber Picture In "Mirror" Video". Idolator. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  45. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  46. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  47. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  48. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 11, 2012". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  49. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – il Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror". Top Digital Download. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  50. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  51. ↑ "Charts.nz – Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  52. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  53. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  54. ↑ "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  55. ↑ "Lil Wayne Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  56. ↑ "Lil Wayne Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
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