Words by Few modern pop stars move as easily between eras as Bruno Mars. His songs borrow from doo-wop, Motown, 1980s funk, new jack swing and reggae, yet they sound unmistakably current. Over little more than a decade, he became one of the best-selling artists in the world and one of the most dependable live performers in pop.
Early life in Honolulu
Mars was born Peter Gene Hernandez on October 8, 1985, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He grew up in a musical family; his father was a percussionist and his mother a singer and dancer. As a child he performed with the family’s revue, and he became known locally for his Elvis Presley impersonation, even appearing briefly in the 1992 film “Honeymoon in Vegas.”
His father gave him the nickname “Bruno” as a toddler. He later added “Mars,” and the stage name stuck.
After high school, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue music.
Songwriter first
His first major-label deal did not last, and Mars found early success behind the scenes. With his production and writing team, The Smeezingtons, he co-wrote songs for other artists, including “Right Round” for Flo Rida and “Wavin’ Flag” for K’naan.
He broke through as a featured vocalist in 2010, singing the hooks on B.o.B’s “Nothin’ on You” and Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire.” Both were major hits and introduced his voice to a wide audience.
Solo stardom
His debut album, “Doo-Wops & Hooligans,” arrived in 2010. Its lead singles, “Just the Way You Are” and “Grenade,” both reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Just the Way You Are” earned him a Grammy for best male pop vocal performance.
“Unorthodox Jukebox” followed in 2012, with the No. 1 hits “Locked Out of Heaven” and “When I Was Your Man.” In 2014, he headlined the Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show, widely praised for its energy and musicianship.
That same year he joined producer Mark Ronson on “Uptown Funk,” released in late 2014. The song spent 14 weeks at No. 1 in the United States and became one of the biggest singles of the decade.
24K Magic
His third album, “24K Magic” (2016), leaned into late-1980s and early-1990s R&B. It was a major critical and commercial success. At the 2018 Grammy Awards, it won album of the year, while “That’s What I Like” won song of the year and “24K Magic” won record of the year. He swept the night’s major categories he was nominated in.
Silk Sonic
In 2021, Mars teamed with Anderson .Paak to form Silk Sonic, a duo devoted to lush 1970s soul. Their single “Leave the Door Open” reached No. 1 and won four Grammy Awards in 2022, including record and song of the year. The duo’s album, “An Evening with Silk Sonic,” was followed by a Las Vegas residency.
Later collaborations
Mars kept topping charts through collaborations. “Die with a Smile,” his 2024 duet with Lady Gaga, and “APT.,” with Rosé of Blackpink, were both global hits. He has also maintained a long-running residency in Las Vegas.
The live show
Mars is often described as a throwback entertainer. His concerts feature tightly choreographed band members, horn sections and dance routines inspired by acts like James Brown, Michael Jackson and the Jacksons. He is known for rehearsing meticulously, and his performances tend to win over audiences who know only a handful of his songs.
Awards and influence
Over his career, Mars has won numerous Grammy Awards and has been one of the most-streamed artists of his generation. His success helped revive mainstream interest in funk and classic R&B, and his songs have become fixtures at weddings, parties and sporting events.
Where to start
New listeners can begin with “Just the Way You Are,” “Locked Out of Heaven,” “Uptown Funk,” “24K Magic” and “Leave the Door Open.” Together, they trace an artist who studies the past closely and turns it into something people want to dance to now.
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