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Mirror (Lil Wayne song)

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"Mirror"
Lil Wayne staring at a mirror seeing a reflection of a younger himself, the words "Lil Wayne Mirror feat. Bruno Mars" are on the top of the image.
Single by Lil Wayne featuring Bruno Mars
from the album Tha Carter IV (Deluxe Edition)
ReleasedSeptember 13, 2011 (2011-09-13)
StudioCMR South Studios (Miami, Florida)
Genre
Length3:48
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)
Music video
"Mirror" on YouTube

"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), was 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. The artists wrote the song alongside Phillip Lawrence and producer Ramon "REO" Owen of the Soundkillers, with co-production from the Smeezingtons. The song 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's hook vocals already on the track.

Music critics gave "Mirror" positive reviews praising it for Mars's smooth, epic hook and Wayne's introspective verses. The hip-hop and rap ballad has been compared in its composition to "Lighters" (2011) by Bad Meets Evil featuring 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. "Mirror" debuted at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked in the top 15 of Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Belgium (Flanders). It has been certified four times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).

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 sings on top of a ladder. The video ends with a scene showing a painting of Wayne, toned in red, crucified on a giant treble clef holding a mic in his left hand. Critics complimented its aesthetics. Wayne performed the song during his tour in Australia.[1]

Release and production

[edit]

"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]

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

Background and lawsuit

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Owen created the instrumental three years before its inclusion on Tha Carter IV. With the help of Atlantic Records A&R Mike Caren, Owen 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. The track was turned down a number of times until it reached Lil Wayne, who liked it and decided to keep it. Owen initially wanted the track to be a part of West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010); he "settle[d]" for it being included on Tha Carter IV. He considered its conclusion lucky, 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. Owen agreed that Wayne's verses captured the feeling of the song.[7] The track leaked on August 25, 2011.[8]

In late 2014, 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] On February 19, 2015, Manhattan Federal Court judge, Katherine B. Forrest, order Wayne to pay Owen $100,000 and Young Money to "hand over" their accounting records, as they failed to respond to the allegations in court, after being served with the legal documents in December 2014. During the judgment, Owen stated that he tried to contact Wayne regarding the money for 11 months prior to the lawsuit. According to court filings, Owen is entitled to $91,841.50 in royalties.[10][11]

Composition

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"Mirror"
In this sample, Wayne and Mars reflect on their struggles and upbringings.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Mirror" is a hip-hop and rap ballad[5][12] 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♭–D♭.[13] 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][14][15] Rap-Up noticed the structure of "Mirror" resembles the one of "Lighters" (2011) by Bad Meets Evil, which also features Bruno Mars.[15]

In the track, 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][14] Wayne not only shows his "warped, troubled mind" but also his softer side by rapping about his father.[15][16][17] Overall, Wayne reflects on his past choices and his life.[18] Various publications affirmed 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" (1987).[15][17] Idolator's Becky Bain found similarities between Wayne's single "How to Love" (2011) from the same album for its "introspective, sad and sweet" lyrics.[17]

Critical reception

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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] 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's hook, calling it "cinematic".[20] Omar Burgess 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's 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

[edit]

In the United States, "Mirror" debuted at its peak of number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, and at number six on the 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 numbers 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 four times platinum.[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" two times platinum with 140,000 copies.[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 British Phonographic Industry (BPI) certified the song platinum.[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

[edit]

Filming for the music video took place in November 2011, directed by Antoine Fuqua.[39] 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][20]

The video begins with a shirtless Wayne standing in a room, while a camera shows various close-ups of his intricate tattoos.[12][20] As the chorus begins, Wayne is shown painting the room red and black as Mars sings the chorus, while seated on the top of a ladder.[12][20][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 all over the room.[12][20] It is finally revealed that the painting is of Wayne himself crucified on a treble clef holding a mic in his left hand. The rather convoluted background includes a face, clouds and lightning, all toned in magnificent red.[12][42][43] Wayne and Mars stare at the masterpiece as the video comes to an end.[42]

Gregory Adams of Exclaim! complimented Wayne's final painting and called the rapper's video a "bizarre art world exploration".[12] Chris Coplan of Consequence of Sound said that the final scene made the "Mona Lisa look like Dogs Playing Poker."[42]

Personnel

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Credits adapted from the liner notes of Tha Carter IV (Deluxe Edition).[6]

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Mirror"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[29] 2× Platinum 140,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[62] 2× Platinum 120,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[32] Gold 15,000^
Germany (BVMI)[63] Gold 150,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[35] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[25] 4× Platinum 4,000,000‡
Streaming
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[31] 2× Platinum 1,800,000†

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Mirror"
Country Date Format Label Ref.
United States September 13, 2011 Urban contemporary radio
  • Young Money
  • Cash Money
  • Universal Republic
 [2]
November 1, 2011 Rhythmic contemporary
  • Cash Money
  • Universal Republic
 [4]
Urban contemporary radio [3]
United Kingdom December 18, 2011 Digital download Unknown [5]

See also

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ Horowitz, Steven (December 1, 2011). "Eminem & Lil Wayne Perform in Melbourne, Australia". HipHopDX. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Urban/UAC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on September 24, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "®R&R :: Going For Adds™ :: Urban". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012.
  4. ^ a b "FMQB: Lil Wayne ft. Bruno Mars Mirror". FMQB. October 25, 2012. Archived from the original on January 3, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Corner, Lewis (December 26, 2011). "Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars: 'Mirror' – Single review". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on June 8, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  6. ^ a b Tha Carter IV (Deluxe Edition) (CD booklet). United States: Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Universal Republic Records. 2011.
  7. ^ a b c Markman, Rob (August 26, 2011). "Lil Wayne's Mirror had a long road to Carter IV". MTV News. Archived from the original on August 14, 2014. 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. ^ Brown, Stephen Rex (February 19, 2015). "Exclusive: Judge ready to order Lil Wayne to pay producer $100K in royalties after he fails to respond to lawsuit". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  11. ^ "Lil Wayne loses $100k in legal battle". Swazi Observer. New York. February 25, 2015. p. 30 – via PressReader. Lil Wayne was hit with a nearly $100K judgement, with the music producer who sued Young Money over unpaid royalties scoring a HUGE victory in court and the judge ordering the record label to hand over ALL their accounting records ASAP. Ramon Owen – aka REO – filed suit against Lil Wayne's Young Money last year claiming they screwed him out of profits for his work on the song "Mirror" featured on Wayne's Tha Carter IV. Then, the judge in the case came back with his decision, explaining that Cash Money was served with the legal docs back in December and has failed to respond to the allegations in court.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Adams, Gregory (January 31, 2012). "Lil Wayne "Mirror" (ft. Bruno Mars) (video)". Exclaim!. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  13. ^ "Lil Wayne and Bruno Mars – "Mirror" Sheet Music (Digital Download)". Musicnotes. October 10, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  14. ^ a b Lyle, Ashley (October 4, 2016). "Bruno Mars' Best Hip-Hop Collaborations". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  15. ^ a b c d "New Music: Lil Wayne ft. Bruno Mars – "Mirror"". Rap-Up. August 25, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  16. ^ Braboy, Mark (July 9, 2015). "Review: Lil Wayne Struggles With Freedom On 'Free Weezy Album'". Vibe. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
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  18. ^ a b 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". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  20. ^ a b c d e f 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. ^ a b "Lil Wayne Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  24. ^ a b "Lil Wayne Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  25. ^ a b "American single certifications – Lil Wayne – Mirror". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  26. ^ a b "Lil Wayne Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  27. ^ a b "Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  28. ^ a b "Top 40 Urban ALbums & Singles Chart". ARIA Charts. Archived from the original on April 21, 2008. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  29. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  30. ^ a b "Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror". Tracklisten. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  31. ^ a b "Danish single certifications – Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
  32. ^ a b "Danish single certifications – Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
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  36. ^ a b "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 19, 2012" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  37. ^ a b "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201223 into search. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  38. ^ a b "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. Archived from the original on August 5, 2018. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  41. ^ "Mirror Music Video Teaser". Vevo. January 27, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  42. ^ a b c d Coplan, Chris (January 31, 2012). "Video: Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – "Mirror"". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  43. ^ Daw, Robbie (January 31, 2012). "Lil Wayne And Bruno Mars Paint A Somber Picture In "Mirror" Video". Idolator. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
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  48. ^ "il Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror". Top Digital Download. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  49. ^ "Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  50. ^ "Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
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  52. ^ "Lil Wayne feat. Bruno Mars – Mirror". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  53. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  54. ^ "Lil Wayne Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  55. ^ "Lil Wayne Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  56. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2012" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  57. ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2012" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  58. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2012" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  59. ^ "Jaaroverzichten Single 2012" (in Dutch). Mega Charts. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
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