Mirror by Bruno Mars

"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. Dwayne Carter, Peter Hernandez, Phillip Lawrence and Ramon Owen wrote "Mirror". Owen also handled production as REO of the Soundkillers, and The Smeezingtons. The song leaked online a few days before the album's official release in the United States. The track 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' hook vocals already on the track. Music critics gave "Mirror" positive reviews praising it for Mars' 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 Bruno 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 at number 17 in the United Kingdom. It also peaked in the top 15 of Denmark, Netherlands, and appeared on charts in Switzerland, and Belgium (Flanders). It has been certified platinum in Australia and the United States. In Denmark, it received two different certifications, gold for units shipped, and two times platinum for its streaming numbers. 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 the cross holding a mic in his left hand. Critics complimented its aesthetics. Wayne performed the song during his tour in Australia.