There were myriad criticisms of "Gorilla," his 2012 single about hardcore, animalistic sex, and even more against his recent video for "24K Magic," which features Mars surrounded by quite a few scantily clad women, grinding their behinds for the camera in a way that feels reminiscent of the over-sexualized hip-hop videos of yesteryear.Īs an obsessive stan of multiple artists who have made some questionable decisions (I'm looking at you, Kanye), I've always been torn over how to both appreciate an artist and also recognize that I don't agree with everything they say and do (like, say, when a rapper lays down misogynistic lyrics, or when one of my favorite pop stars, Taylor Swift, seemed to lie to the public about that whole "Famous" situation). Am I 'amazing just the way I am,' Bruno, or am I a 'bad bitch' with ugly ass friends?!"įrankly, it's not the first time I've heard other women say they aren't fans of Mars because of the mixed messaging he puts out there.
"Bad bitches and ya ugly ass friends?" one of my colleagues commented. But I couldn't really come up with a good argument against the fact that "some of his lyrics are gross." So when a few of my R29 colleagues recently criticized some of the lyrics from his new single, "24K Magic," I immediately went on the defense. "Natalie" is still one of my favorite songs to sing in the shower, and "It Will Rain" can bring me to tears with just a few notes. As in, anyone who knows me knows that when "Uptown Funk" comes on at the club, I break into my very own special brand of choreography. I will begin this review by being straight-up with you, reader: I am a major Bruno Mars fan.