Finesse

The song "Finesse (Remix)" is a vibrant and unapologetic celebration of confidence, style, and mutual attraction. At its core, the track is about the feeling of looking and feeling so good, especially with a partner, that your combined presence commands attention and admiration. The central theme revolves around the concept of 'finesse,' which in this context means having an abundance of skill, charm, and style that appears effortless. The recurring lyric, "drippin' in finesse," metaphorically paints a picture of individuals who are so overflowing with this quality that it's almost tangible.

Cardi B's opening verse adds a layer of personal triumph to this theme. She narrates her rise from a stripper in the Bronx to a global rap superstar, framing her success as the ultimate act of finesse. Her lyrics about going from "dollar bills" to "poppin' rubber bands" underscore a journey of empowerment and financial independence, making her boastful confidence feel earned and aspirational.

Bruno Mars' verses complement this by focusing on the dynamic of a couple who are a perfect match. He sings about the way the entire atmosphere of a room shifts when they walk in together, attributing this magnetic pull to his partner's beauty and his own confidence. The song becomes an anthem for power couples who not only elevate themselves but also each other, creating an aura that is both impressive and intoxicating to onlookers. It’s a celebration of being in sync and enjoying the spotlight together, feeling untouchable and perfectly paired.

The narrative of the song unfolds as a high-energy celebration of two individuals who are irresistibly stylish, confident, and perfectly matched. It begins with Cardi B bursting onto the scene, immediately establishing her status and success. She paints a picture of her luxurious lifestyle with a "drop top Porsche" and a "Rollie on my wrist," making it clear she's a boss who has fundamentally changed the game. She reflects on her journey from making "dollar bills," a likely reference to her past as a stripper, to now "poppin' rubber bands" on stacks of cash. This intro serves as a testament to her 'finesse'—her skillful and stylish rise to the top. She’s fully aware of her appeal, noting her "big Bronx boogie" makes other girls envious and her physical attributes capture men's attention. The verse is a declaration of her earned success and the joy she takes in it, doing her "money dance" while flexing for her audience.

Bruno Mars then takes over, shifting the focus to the dynamic between the couple. He describes the magnetic effect they have when they enter a room together; everything changes, and all eyes are on them. He attributes this captivating power to his partner, admiring her presence and measurements while also acknowledging his own confidence. Their combined aura is so powerful it shuts everything else down. The pre-chorus builds on this idea of mutual adoration and the sheer fun they have together. It’s a playful exchange where they acknowledge how good they look and feel, a sentiment that's both a private joke and a public spectacle. The feeling of being them is described as unequivocally good, a statement repeated for emphasis.

The chorus is the song's central thesis: "We out here drippin' in finesse, it don't make no sense." This recurring line encapsulates their essence. Their style, charm, and skill are so abundant that they seem to overflow, almost to a nonsensical degree. It’s a boast delivered with infectious joy. They are not just stylish; they are the embodiment of style itself. Throughout the song, Bruno continues to hype up his partner, promising to show her off and marveling at her perfection. He feels a sense of masculine pride and accomplishment, telling his friends to look at the incredible woman by his side. The bridge reinforces this, with both artists and background vocalists joining in a call-and-response that builds the party atmosphere. The phrases "Fellas, grab your ladies" and "Ladies, grab your fellas" turn the personal celebration into a collective anthem, inviting everyone to join in their feeling of joyful confidence. The song concludes by reiterating their unmatched style and the sheer pleasure they take in their shared spotlight, solidifying their status as a power couple whose combined 'finesse' is undeniable and mesmerizing.

"Finesse" was originally released as a solo track on Bruno Mars' third studio album, 24K Magic, in 2016. The song's creation was rooted in Mars' desire to capture the specific sound and energy of the New Jack Swing era from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Production team The Stereotypes, along with Shampoo Press & Curl (Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Christopher Brody Brown), collaborated to achieve this sound. Jonathan Yip of The Stereotypes recalled Mars explicitly stating, "We gotta go new jack swing. Let's get one on here." The creative process was organic, starting from a jam session where Mars played the drums and everyone contributed ideas. Mars was a perfectionist during the process, going through nearly 20 versions of the song to get the groove and harmonies just right, finding earlier iterations either "too corny" or not hitting home.

The idea for a remix came when Mars decided to release "Finesse" as the album's fifth single. He specifically wanted Cardi B to feature on it. The collaboration happened spontaneously in the early hours of the morning. Mars recounted meeting Cardi B at 3 a.m. backstage after one of his shows in Los Angeles, where they immediately recorded her verse. Mars was impressed by her energy and authenticity, stating she was "everything I'd hope she'd be." Audio engineer Charles Moniz confirmed they recorded her vocals on the spot.

The remix featuring Cardi B was officially released on January 4, 2018, accompanied by a music video. This version became the definitive and most popular iteration of the song, propelling it to major commercial success.

The rhythmic foundation of "Finesse" is its most defining characteristic, built on the principles of New Jack Swing. It features a tempo of around 105 beats per minute and is set in 4/4 time, creating an infectious, danceable groove. The rhythm is heavily syncopated, with drum machines providing a hard-hitting, shuffling backbeat that drives the song forward. This musical rhythm is mirrored in the vocal delivery. Mars employs a "tightly clipped" vocal style that often emphasizes the off-beats, while Cardi B's rap verse uses a confident, steady flow with strategic pauses and accentuations that lock into the beat perfectly.

The rhyme scheme is relatively simple but effective. Cardi B's rap verse primarily uses couplets (AABB), as seen in lines like "My big Bronx boogie, got all them girls shook / My big, fat ass got all them boys hooked." This straightforward scheme makes her lyrics direct and impactful. Bruno's verses also rely on simple rhyme pairs, such as "When I'm walkin' with you / Baby, that's what you do." The chorus and pre-chorus depend more on repetition than complex rhyme, with the recurring phrase "Don't it feel so good to be us, ay?" acting as a rhythmic and lyrical hook. This interplay between the driving musical rhythm and the clear, rhythmic vocal patterns makes the song incredibly catchy and physically compelling.

Musically, "Finesse" is a masterclass in genre revivalism, specifically recreating the New Jack Swing sound. This is achieved through its distinct instrumentation, featuring clattering drum machine rhythms (inspired by Bell Biv DeVoe's "Poison"), prominent orchestral-stab synthesizers, and syncopated beats that create the genre's characteristic "bounce." The arrangement includes layers of sound like synth pads, funky piano lines, and subtle sound effects such as DJ scratches and vocal yelps to enhance the energetic, party-like atmosphere. Bruno Mars' vocal delivery is sharp and rhythmic, echoing the style of New Jack Swing icon Bobby Brown, while Cardi B's rap flow is confident and braggadocious, reminiscent of old-school female MCs like Queen Latifah.

Lyrically, the song employs a straightforward, celebratory narrative voice. It utilizes repetition and catchy hooks, particularly in the chorus ("We out here drippin' in finesse / It don't make no sense"), to maximize memorability. The structure includes a call-and-response section in the bridge ("Fellas, grab your ladies if your lady fine"), a common technique in funk and hip-hop to engage the listener and create a communal feel. The lyrics are peppered with modern slang ("straight stuntin'", "flexin' on the 'gram") which grounds the '90s throwback sound in a contemporary context, making it accessible to a modern audience.

"Finesse (Remix)" had a significant cultural impact upon its release, primarily by popularizing the New Jack Swing sound for a new generation. The song was a commercial juggernaut, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a top-ten hit worldwide. It became Mars' 15th and Cardi B's fourth top-ten single in the U.S. The song also dominated streaming and radio, topping Billboard's Streaming Songs chart and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

The most notable aspect of its cultural influence was its music video, which was a direct and detailed homage to the 1990s sketch comedy show In Living Color. Directed by Bruno Mars and Florent Dechard, the video faithfully recreated the show's opening sequence, set design, and the vibrant, colorful fashion of the era. This tribute was widely praised by original cast members like David Alan Grier and the Wayans family, as well as former "Fly Girl" dancer Jennifer Lopez, for its accuracy and nostalgic value. The video went viral, making the song inseparable from its visual aesthetic and sparking conversations about 90s pop culture. The track received numerous accolades, including Video of the Year at the Soul Train Music Awards and Favorite Song Soul/R&B at the American Music Awards. Mars and Cardi B's energetic performance of the song at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards further cemented its place as one of the standout musical moments of 2018.

The most prominent metaphor in "Finesse" is the central phrase "drippin' in finesse." Here, 'finesse'—an abstract concept of skill, style, and grace—is treated as a liquid substance. To be "dripping" in it suggests an overwhelming abundance, as if one is literally coated in charm and coolness. This imagery creates a powerful and memorable picture of effortless swagger. The follow-up line, "it don't make no sense," further emphasizes this abundance, suggesting their level of style is so extreme it defies logic.

Cardi B uses financial metaphors to symbolize her journey and success. The line "I went from dollar bills, now we poppin' rubber bands" serves as a potent symbol of her come-up. "Dollar bills" evoke the small, hard-earned cash from her past as a stripper, while "rubber bands" for stacks of money symbolize immense wealth and a new level of financial status in the music industry.

The entire song and its accompanying music video act as a symbol for the 1990s New Jack Swing era. The sound, fashion, and choreography are not just stylistic choices but symbolic gestures that pay homage to a specific period of Black culture, music, and television, particularly referencing artists like Bobby Brown and Bell Biv DeVoe and the TV show In Living Color.

The most significant recurring lyrical motif in "Finesse" is the hook: "We out here drippin' in finesse / It don't make no sense." This phrase is repeated throughout the song, serving as its central theme and memorable tagline. It encapsulates the core idea of having an over-the-top, almost unbelievable level of style and cool. Its repetition in the chorus drills the song's main message into the listener's head, making it an inescapable and catchy summary of the track's confident attitude.

Another recurring phrase is "Don't it feel so good to be us, ay?" which appears multiple times in the pre-chorus. This line builds anticipation for the chorus and reinforces the theme of shared joy and pride between the two protagonists. It’s a self-aware, celebratory statement that invites listeners to share in their good feeling.

Musically, the primary recurring motif is the distinctive New Jack Swing beat itself, characterized by its sharp, syncopated drum machine pattern and the prominent orchestral synth stabs. This sonic signature is present almost continuously, instantly identifying the song and anchoring its nostalgic, high-energy vibe. The consistent groove acts as the musical equivalent of the lyrical theme—a constant, undeniable presence of style and rhythm.