The song ‘APT.’, a collaborative effort between Blackpink’s Rosé and Bruno Mars, is currently creating waves across the globe. However, the story behind the creation of this track is quite fascinating. Producer Cirkut revealed that his most significant contribution to the project was jumping on the idea the moment it hit the room. Whilst Rosé and the assembled songwriters worked on the ‘apateu’ hook, Cirkut focused on the beat. His mind immediately went to pop-punk drums and a high-energy, cheerleader kind of vibe, which helped set the tone for the entire song. This approach aligned with another facet of Rosé’s identity: her upbringing in Australia. The song’s iconic chant reminded her of the country’s go-to sporting cry. Rosé remarked that it is somewhat like the Aussie ‘Oi! Oi! Oi!’, implying that even if one does not know the meaning, one simply wants to shout it.
Although the song was taking shape through cross-cultural concoction, the team still felt that a vital ingredient was missing. That is where G Rouzbehani, senior VP of A&R at Atlantic Records, entered the story. She was aware of how much Rosé looked up to Bruno Mars, so she arranged for them to meet in Los Angeles. Rouzbehani played Mars a handful of demos, and ‘APT.’ stood out to him immediately. Rouzbehani explains that whilst the skeleton of the record was there from the very beginning, once Bruno Mars jumped on, they rewrote the first verse together and elevated the production to another level. Everyone in the room felt that energy. They would come out of the studio to play a new version and then go back in again; everyone realised it was something special.
Producer Cirkut stated that one of the biggest turning points was when Bruno heard the song. He got really hands-on, playing live drums over the programmed drums, as well as bass. Bruno Mars turned out to be the perfect creative foil for Rosé. For Rosé, the record was transformative, and she says it still feels like she is dreaming. This gratitude has carried over to her debut solo album, ‘Rosie’. Despite having solo success, Grammy nominations, and chart records to her name, Rosé is focused on what is next. She has many ideas but is taking it one day at a time.
Information regarding the song’s development and Bruno Mars’ impact is provided below:
| Stage | Description | Outcome |
| Initial Phase | Rosé’s concept and Cirkut’s beat creation | Establishment of pop-punk drums and cheerleader vibe |
| Inspiration | Australian sporting chant | Creation of an atmosphere inviting audience participation |
| Collaboration Start | G Rouzbehani playing the song for Bruno Mars | Bruno’s expression of interest and decision to join |
| Final Transformation | Bruno Mars’ hands-on involvement | Lyric changes, addition of live instruments, and quality elevation |