"Magic" is a song by American hip hop recording artist B.o.B, released on June 7, 2010 as the fifth single from his debut studio album . The track features Weezer's lead singerRivers Cuomo, singing the chorus. It was written by both artists, alongside the song's producer Dr. Luke. In the UK, the track made Radio 1's B-Playlist.
Composition
"Magic" is written in the key of B major with a tempo of 82 beats per minute in common time. The song follows a chord progression of B5–E5–G5–F5, and the vocals in the song span from D4 to F5.
Reception
Despite mixed reviews, the song progressed up and down the BillboardHot 100 chart, reaching number 10 at its peak. Billboard.com gave it a positive review, saying, "The song's strongest force is an infectious, throbbing synth-guitar hook from Dr. Luke, who seamlessly fuses B.o.B's verses with a chorus by Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo that demands a singalong. The result is stellar." The reviewer at TinyMixtapes.com said that "'Magic' is magnificently, triumphantly corny, enough to give Steve Miller and that guy from The Outfield a run for their money. 'Magic' isn't good by any stretch of the imagination, but it is goofily enjoyable." In his album review for Spin, Kenny Herzog wrote, "The Adventures of Bobby Ray is a hip-hop Scary Movie, tossing off references while struggling to establish a distinctive identity." Pitchfork questioned "the appearance by Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, whose creepily blank vocals on 'Magic' sound like the engineer has a gun to his head". The Guardians Paul MacInnes wrote that "all the Chris Martinesque piano lines and calibrated guest appearances – from Weezer's River Cuomo to Janelle Monáe – can't obscure an absence of soul throughout."
Music video
The music video was released on MTV at midnight on September 3, 2010 The video features B.o.B trying to wake himself up from a dream. He was also performing with Rivers Cuomo in the video on a stage at a wild party. In addition, Paul Iacono from the MTV show The Hard Times of RJ Berger is featured dancing on stage. The video was directed by Sanaa Hamri.
Track listing
"Magic" - 3:16
"Mellow Fellow" - 2:58
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
In other media
The Treblemakers, an all-male a cappella group in the musical comedyPitch Perfect, sang this song in their finale performance.
American rapper Becky G, recorded a new version of the song for The Smurfs 2 soundtrack called Magik 2.0. Her rendition features singer Austin Mahone singing the hook while Becky raps the verses. It was produced by A.C.
