Atlantic Records released a remix, featuring verses from American rapper Cardi B, as the album's fifth and final single on January 4, 2018.

"Finesse" was well received by music critics, who complimented Cardi B's verses, on the remix, and compared them to the old-school hip hop flow.

Moreover, according to critics, the song evokes the sound of Bobby Brown's album Don't Be Cruel (1988), Bell Biv DeVoe's track "Poison" (1990), and Michael Jackson's "Remember the Time" (1992).

The accompanying music video, which was directed by Florent Dechard and Mars, pays homage to the popular FOX sketch comedy television series In Living Color (1990–1994).

[6][8] During an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Mars said one iteration of "Finesse" had him singing about "gold chains and cognac over a silky beat", which he found "too corny", and another version sounded "like a Seventies cop show—like I should be on roller skates".

"[11] Charles Moniz, Mars's audio engineer, confirmed this as he recorded their vocals on selected microphones and "brought all the sound elements together".

[22] American urban contemporary radio stations began adding the track onto their playlists on January 16, 2018, through the aforementioned label.

[42] Nick Levine, writing for NME, thought the song is "pitch-perfect pastiche of the new jack swing sound that recalls" Jackson's "Remember The Time" (1992).

Freeze fused hip-hop with electronic post-disco R&B pioneered by Leon Sylvers III, Kashif, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis".

[45] On the other hand, Jonathan Wroble of Slant Magazine criticized the song for being a copycat of Bell Biv DeVoe's "Poison" (1990) and for "failing to add anything new to his rehashing of new jack swing".

[46] American singer-songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello accused Mars of copying Bell Biv DeVoe, Babyface and the work of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis with The Human League and using it on "Finesse".

"[48] Dean Nguyen from The Irish Times said the remix is a "2018 single-of-the-year candidate" as its composition recalls "Bell Biv DeVoe and Dangerous (1991)-era Michael Jackson".

"[34] The Independent's Roisin O'Connor and Forbes's Hugh McIntyre shared a similar opinion, saying that despite being a Bruno Mars song, Cardi B "steals the show" due to her perfect and reminiscent of the old-school hip hop flow.

"[52] Slant Magazines's Zachary Hoskins criticize the single's opening as it takes from the "programmed snare line" of Bell Biv DeVoe's "Poison".

[53] In 2021, Billboard considered the song's bridge as one of the best of the 21st Century, Paul Grein affirmed that Mars "plays cupid", telling men and women "on how to get it goin' on".

[68] After its first complete tracking week, "Finesse" peaked at number three on the Hot 100, becoming Mars's 15th and Cardi B's fourth top ten single on the chart.

[75][76][77] In the United Kingdom, "Finesse" entered the UK Singles Chart at number seven, marking Mars's eleventh and Cardi B's first top ten in the country.

"Finesse" remained within the top ten for six consecutive weeks and was certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

[83][84] The remix of "Finesse" also peaked at number eight on the Portuguese Singles Chart, earning a platinum plaque from the Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa (AFP).

[87] The song received a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RMNZ), denoting sales and streams equivalent to 30,000 units.

[91][92][93] The concept for the music video began when Mars and Phil Tayag of the Jabbawockeez were exchanging ideas, always having consideration for the 1990s song vibe.

She added that with Mars they had to work hard, but there were moments of goofiness, and the latter was not looking to be the main character supported by backed-up dancers, but instead "wanted it to feel as if they were all in one crew together".

[98] According to comedian and former actor of In Living Color, David Alan Grier, the set-up of the video matched exactly the one in the show, including the original paint can intro and the DJ booth.

Parker commented, "Bruno and his Fly Girl sidekick bring '90s-retro finesse back to the TV screen in this spot-on perfect In Living Color homage.

Ranking at number 53, Taylor Weatherby said, "Just as ILC was a cultural moment of the '90s, 'Finesse' helped Bruno Mars and Cardi B solidify their place as icons of 2018.

"[117] Writing for Vibe, J'na Jefferson dubbed the performance as "stand-out", while People's Maria Pasquine wrote, "The duo, who broke the internet with their In Living Color-inspired video, tore up the Grammys stage.

"[120][119] Charles Holmes from MTV News praised the performance, affirming that "the chemistry between Cardi and Mars was so electric the duo should think about dropping a collaboration album to save 2018".

[121] Cardi B confessed that she was nervous during the performance and decided to use a common stage fright technique in picking a blank spot in the crowd.

[127][128] Paste's Ellen Johnson considered the performance at the Grammys one of the best of all time, ranking it at number seven, saying that the nostalgia along with Mars's charisma and Cardi B's personable rapping couldn't go wrong.

[129] Pentatonix, an American a cappella group, recorded a cover of the single for their 2018 album PTX Presents: Top Pop, Vol.