Bruno Mars just released the remix of his song “Finesse” with a guest appearance from Cardi B. The accompanying video for the new jack swing-inspired track is an homage to the ‘90s sketch comedy TV series In Living Color, and The Fader caught up with one of the show’s stars David Alan Grier to get his opinion about the tribute.
Mars self-directed the video at the original Fox Studios set and Grier said the extra effort showed up in the final product:
They did the set up we had to the T. I got a little flashbacks/PTSD watching that. They had the DJ booth set up like the top exactly how we set it up.
According to The Fader, Grier also praised the visual’s recreation of In Living Color’s original paint can intro. The comedian went on to note the song’s retro vibe and said he’s decided to make it the entrance music for his upcoming tour:
It’s got that sound. You know what it is? The drums. It has that new jack swing vibe that was so original at the time, the Gumby haircuts. We thought it was the coolest thing in the world, and it was!
I downloaded that this morning, so everyone’s going to hear it every night when they come see my show.
Grier was a cast member on In Living Color, which featured a predominantly black cast and helped launch the careers of future superstars Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Lopez, who was a Fly Girl dancer. Keenan Ivory Wayans created, wrote, and starred in the variety show alongside his brother Damon Wayans. They were joined by other members of their family: Kim, Marlon, and Shawn Wayans. Jim Carrey also got his start on the series.
New jack swing came to prominence in the late ‘80s and continued its popularity through the mid '90s. Its sound combines hip-hop sampling techniques with urban contemporary R&B thanks to key producers Teddy Riley, Bernard Belle, Babyface, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, and L.A. Reid. Notable artists from the era include Janet Jackson, New Edition, Jodeci, Bell Biv DeVoe, and more.
“Finesse” is from Mars' 2016 album 24K Magic and features production by The Stereotypes and Shampoo Press & Curl.
Watch the video above and read all the lyrics to Bruno Mars and Cardi B’s “Finesse (Remix)” on Genius now.
