"Lighters" is a song by American hip hop duo Bad Meets Evil, a group composed of Royce da 5'9 and Eminem, from their first EP, Hell: The Sequel (2011).

It was written by Bad Meets Evil, along with Mars, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine of the Smeezingtons, and Roy Battle.

It was released on June 14, 2011, by Shady and Interscope Records, being later serviced to mainstream radio in the United States by the two latter labels along with Aftermath Entertainment as the second single from the EP.

Mars' performance on the chorus was praised, while the duo was met with criticism for their lyrics, which regard one's downfalls, comebacks while dismissing the "haters" and conveying a message of genuine support and celebration by the accomplishment of dreams.

When speaking to Canadian music magazine Exclaim!, American rapper Royce da 5'9" confessed that "Lighters" was originally intended to be featured on his fifth solo studio album, Success Is Certain (2011).

[7] It was added to contemporary hit radios stations lists in the United States as the second single on July 5, 2011, by Shady and Interscope Records, along with Aftermath Entertainment.

[11][12] The record differs from the hardcore hip hop style used in other songs by Bad Meets Evil in the EP, as it takes influences from synthpop ballad and soul music, mainly on the track's chorus.

[11][6] Afterwards, the bass drops along with synth chords and Eminem starts to rap with his "crescendos build up to fist-pumping levels", being followed by Royce.

[11] Royce da 5'9" responded to the criticism of "Lighters" and according to him, he and Eminem wanted to be versatile with the EP by making a couple of personal records.

Both Idolator's reviewer Becky Bain and Rob Markman from MTV News spoke about the new song after it leaked on June 2, 2011.

[6] Not only did he comment on Royce da 5'9"'s verse, "The gritty Detroit MC recalls his own battles to the top, referencing doubters at every turn", but also noticed that the track was "inspirational", addictive and made to be sent to the radio.

[6] Magazine XXL commented on the single, saying it is "inspirational" and set to be on heavy rotation during the summer time and "another break from the typical vicious lyrical assault.

[12] However, the critic appreciated the "inspirational verses" from Eminem and Royce and summarized, "In the end, this brief look at the duo's skills does not fully deliver what you expect, but still leaves you wanting to hear more.

He gave the record an F.[16] In a negative review, David Jeffries of Allmusic said that "the glossy 'Lighters' feels more like a Bruno Mars track than Detroit diesel.

Robbins believes that Mars's vocal delivery in the chorus does not fit into a rap song and would have done better on a solo record or with another artist.

[24] David Amidon from music website PopMatters said that "Lighters" was the only disappointing recording of the 11 tracks on the EP deluxe edition and "it's easy to press the skip button if you’d like to.

[31][32] On the issue dated August 10, 2011, "Lighters" entered the bottom of the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 and held the Airplay Gainer honor.

[37] As of September 2012, "Lighters" has sold 2,208,000 copies in the United States,[38] which led it to be certified two times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

[57] It was conducted by American music video and commercial director Rich Lee, who previously shot the "Not Afraid" visual with Eminem.

[60] Eminem, who is laying on a couch in an untidy living room while wearing a white T-shirt and red baggy pants, subsequently picks up a notepad with lyrics and begins to rap his verse.

[60] He discovers a trap door on the floor and climbs down a ladder, and then finds himself in a utility tunnel with pipes, while red highway flares illuminate the setting.

[60][62] As the sun starts to set, couples, along with Bad Meets Evil, gather to see a large group of rising sky lanterns aglow.

"[61] Consequence of Sound's Chris Coplan explained that "all three men emerge to exactly what they’d been singing for: a sky full of decorative lamps.

"[65] Becky Bain from Idolator said, "Bruno jams out on his 88 keys while the 'King Of Hip-Hop' and his Bad Meets Evil cohort Royce da 5′9″ go underground, emerging to the sight of thousands of lanterns lighting up the sky.

"[59] Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly gave a mixed review, criticizing the lack of sufficient lighting in the video.

However, he praised the final scene of glowing lanterns, naming it "the most compellingly beautiful thing to appear in an Eminem video.

[66] Eminem and Royce da 5'9" made their debut live performance as Bad Meets Evil for "Fast Lane" and "Lighters" at the 2011 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival.

[69] The live show was complemented with animated lighters displayed on the background screen,[69] while the duo wore Bad Meets Evil T-shirts and black hoodies.

[68] The performance was widely praised, with James Montgomery from MTV confessing, "It's the same renewed vigor Eminem has displayed on his most-recent efforts.

"[70] Mars joined Bad Meets Evil to perform "Lighters" on the second day of Lollapalooza 2011, which took place in Chicago, with them being once again accompanied by Mr.