Format Digital download Length 3:48 | Recorded 2011 | |
Released November 1, 2011 (2011-11-01) Genre Alternative hip hop, soul Label Young Money, Cash Money, Universal Republic | ||
"Mirror" is a song by American rapper Lil Wayne from the deluxe edition of his ninth studio album, Tha Carter IV. Produced by Ramon REO Owen of The Soundkillers, the song features American pop singer Bruno Mars. The song was released to urban radio on November 1, 2011 as the sixth single from Tha Carter IV. "Mirror" is Lil Wayne's highest charting single as a lead artist in the UK, peaking at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart.
Contents
Background
Rap-Up describes Weezy's inspiration for the track "Weezy gets personal with his bars, rapping about his father ("Lookin' at me now I can see my past. Damn, I look just like my fuckin' dad."), while taking inspiration from Michael Jackson. "And no message any clearer, so I'm starting with the man in the mirror."
Critical reception
Lewis Corner stated, "'I see the blood in your eyes/ I see the love in disguise/ I see the pain hidden in your pride,' the pint-sized performer broods over melancholy harmonies and echoing beats, while Bruno sings to the mirror, 'Through my rise and fall/ You've been my only friend.' The final result is much like the heartthrob himself; love-torn, moody and destined to be popular."
Billboard's Joe DeAndrea commented that the song was among the best material by Lil Wayne and the vocals on the hook provided by Mars' are "smooth as it gets".
Music video
A music video for "Mirror" was filmed in November 2011 by director Antoine Fuqua and visual effects were created by GloriaFX. A teaser of the music video was released onto YouTube by VEVO on January 27, 2012. The full length video premiered on VEVO's official website on January 31, 2012. The video begins with a shirtless Wayne rapping to the song in a dimly-lit workshop, while the camera pictures various closeups of his intricate tattoos. As the chorus starts, Wayne is shown painting the room red while the depressed Bruno Mars sings. Wayne is also shown spurting red paint on the wall to form some sort of unknown picture. The rest of the video focuses on Wayne blasting red, black and white paint all over the place. The bridge starts with Wayne doing the Sign of the Cross, before applying final touches to his painting. It is finally revealed that the painting was none other than Wayne himself crucified on the cross, while life music holding a mic on his left hand, with a rather convoluted background of a face, clouds and lightnings, all toned in magnificent red. He then stares at his masterpiece as the video comes to an end.
Chart performance
The song debuted at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and debuted number 11 on Belgium (Ultratop Flanders) which was the highest debut for any non-single from Tha Carter IV on the week of September 17, 2011 and February 6, 2012. The song was certified Platinum by the IAA for shipments over 1,000,000.