Bruno Mars
Funk, Pop, Rock, Soul • Honolulu, United States
Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars, born Peter Eugene Hernandez on October 8, 1985, in Honolulu, Hawaii, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer who has become one of the most successful recording artists of the 21st century. Raised in a musical family with roots in Puerto Rican, Filipino, and Jewish heritage, Mars performed as a child impersonator of Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson before relocating to Los Angeles in 2003 to pursue a professional music career.
Mars initially gained recognition as a songwriter and producer, co-founding the production team the Smeezingtons and writing hit songs for artists like Flo Rida and CeeLo Green. His breakthrough as a recording artist came in 2009 with a feature on B.o.B's "Nothin' on You." His debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010) established his signature style blending pop, R&B, funk, and reggae influences, spawning massive hits including "Just the Way You Are" and "Grenade." Subsequent albums Unorthodox Jukebox (2012) and 24K Magic (2016) solidified his status as a global superstar, with the latter winning Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
Known for his three-octave tenor vocal range, retro showmanship, and meticulous stage production, Mars has sold over 150 million records worldwide and scored nine Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. His 24K Magic World Tour (2017-2018) ranks among the highest-grossing tours ever. In 2021, he formed Silk Sonic with Anderson .Paak, achieving further success with the album An Evening with Silk Sonic and its hit single "Leave the Door Open." Recent collaborations include "Die with a Smile" with Lady Gaga and "Apt." with Rosé, both topping global charts.
Mars has accumulated 16 Grammy Awards, 14 American Music Awards, and numerous other accolades. His cultural impact extends beyond music through endorsements, fashion collaborations with Lacoste, and ownership of the luxury bar Pinky Ring on the Las Vegas Strip. Recognized as one of the greatest live performers of his generation, Mars continues working on new material while maintaining a residency at Park MGM in Las Vegas.
Notable Works
Doo-Wops & Hooligans
Bruno Mars's debut studio album that established him as a major pop artist, debuting at number three on the Billboard 200 and spawning hit singles including 'Just the Way You Are' and 'Grenade'. The album has sold 15.5 million copies worldwide.
Just the Way You Are
Lead single from Doo-Wops & Hooligans that topped charts globally and spent 20 weeks on the Adult Contemporary chart, Mars's longest debut chart run. It became one of the best-selling digital singles with 12.5 million sales by 2012.
Unorthodox Jukebox
Mars's second studio album that debuted at number two before topping the Billboard 200, showcasing his musical versatility across disco, funk, and soul. The album has sold over six million copies worldwide.
Uptown Funk
Collaboration with Mark Ronson that became Billboard's best-performing song of the 2010s, spending 14 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and winning Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The song became one of the century's most recognizable pop songs.
24K Magic
Mars's third studio album that won Grammy Award for Album of the Year, establishing him as a major award-winning artist. The album sold over five million copies globally and spawned multiple hit singles.
An Evening with Silk Sonic
Collaborative album with Anderson .Paak as Silk Sonic featuring the US number-one single 'Leave the Door Open' and showcasing 1970s R&B influences. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 with multiple chart-topping singles.
Die with a Smile
Duet with Lady Gaga that became Mars's first number-one on the Billboard Global 200 and topped charts in multiple countries. The song won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
Quotes
“I felt like I didn't have no pizzazz, and a lot of girls say I'm out of this world, so I was like I guess I'm from Mars.”
“Growing up in Hawaii made me the man I am. I used to do a lot of shows in Hawaii with my father's band. Everybody in my family sings, everyone plays instruments ... I've just been surrounded by it.”
“The only reason why I'm here is because of James Brown, is because of Prince, Michael [Jackson] ...This music comes from love and if you can't hear that, then I don't know what to tell you.”
“I don't sit down and think, 'I'm going to write a song'; inspiration comes out of the blue in different places.”
“I want to have the freedom and luxury to walk into a studio and say, 'Today I want to do a hip-hop, R&B, soul or rock record'.”
Career Timeline
Record 150 Million Monthly Spotify Listeners
Became the first artist to surpass 150 million monthly listeners on Spotify in early 2025 following the releases of 'Die with a Smile' and 'Apt.' This marked a career milestone as one of the most-streamed artists on the platform.
Silk Sonic Formation and 'An Evening with Silk Sonic'
Formed musical supergroup Silk Sonic with Anderson .Paak, releasing An Evening with Silk Sonic which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. The album included the US number-one single 'Leave the Door Open' and showcased Mars's continued dominance in R&B.
Grammy Album of the Year for '24K Magic'
Won the prestigious Grammy Award for Album of the Year for 24K Magic at the 2018 Grammy Awards, along with winning all six other categories he was nominated for. This cemented Mars as one of the most awarded artists of his generation.
Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show Appearance
Appeared as a guest performer with Beyoncé on Coldplay's Super Bowl 50 halftime show, marking his second appearance on a Super Bowl halftime show. This was one of the most-watched halftime shows in Super Bowl history.
Super Bowl XLVIII Halftime Show Performance
Headlined the Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show with the Red Hot Chili Peppers as guests, making history as the first artist under 30 to headline in a decade. The performance drew 115.3 million viewers, more than the game itself, and became the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show in history.
First Grammy Award
Won his first Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for 'Just the Way You Are' at the 2011 Grammy Awards. He received a total of seven Grammy nominations that year across multiple categories.
Debut Album 'Doo-Wops & Hooligans' Release
Released his debut studio album which debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and topped multiple international charts. The album established Mars as a major pop force with multiple hit singles and has sold 15.5 million copies worldwide.
Breakthrough with 'Nothin' on You'
Mars gained recognition as a solo artist after featuring on B.o.B's 'Nothin' on You' which topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart. This marked his transition from producer/songwriter to recording artist and led to major record label interest.
