Audacy's Run That Back series is a deep dive into some of music’s most popular or underrated projects. Whether it’s been 5 years or 50, there’s never a wrong time to "run that back."
It’s been five years since Bruno Mars released his third studio album 24K Magic and it not only sounds just as fresh as the day it was released, but also serves as a perfect representation of how to make vintage sound modern.
Mars was fresh off his residency at the Super Bowl halftime shows when he was working on 24K Magic. OK, maybe it wasn’t an official residency at the Super Bowl, but his frequent appearances on the halftime show didn’t afford him much time to really sit down and focus on the album.
Despite a schedule that left him with little free time to flesh it out, he had a firm vision in place. Create an album that could capture the sound of 90s R&B records that he grew up listening and dancing to.
With the desire to give people the unfettered joy he experienced listening to those records, 24K Magic is filled with elements of R&B, Funk, Soul, Pop, and New Jack Swing.
It accomplishes the rare feat of giving a modern take on a classic sound. It’s dripped in nostalgia and this is apparent from the first notes of the title track, which opens the album.
Mars took extra steps towards creating an atmosphere that would yield the sounds he was searching for. This included imposing a dress code in the studio where sweatpants weren’t allowed and jewelry and other nice clothes were encouraged so that everyone involved could make a groovy, sweet, soulful sound.
“I made it a point: I’m showing up to the studio, we working, but I’m not showing up in sweats ’cause you’re going to get what sweats sounds like … so I’m going to wear every jewelry piece I collected, and my finest shoes, and write some songs,” Mars told Billboard at the time. “It just helped keep the motion (going).”
Five years since its release, 24K Magic continues to be a staple on any playlist. Songs like “24K Magic,” “Chunky,” “Versace on the Floor,” “That’s What I Like,” and “Finesse” have all become prominent songs in Mars’ catalog and are mainstays at his concerts.
The album was a commercial success and has been certified triple platinum. The record debuted at the number two position on the Billboard 200 chart and spent a whopping 54 weeks in the top ten of the Top R&B/Hip Hop albums chart. 24K Magic won a total of seven GRAMMY Awards for Mars including Album of the Year and Best R&B Album while the title track won Record of the Year.
If you want to relive the magic of 24K Magic, be sure to check out Audacy’s Exclusive Station Bruno Mars Radio featuring his best music and songs from similar artists.
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