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Peter Gene Hernandez (born 1986–87), better known by his stage name Bruno Mars, is an American singer-songwriter and music producer. He is known for lending his vocals and co-writing the hooks for the songs "Nothin' on You" by B.o.B, and "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy. He also co-wrote the international hits "Right Round" by Flo Rida and "Wavin' Flag" by K'naan.

Biography

1986–2008: Early life and beginnings

Peter Hernandez was born and raised in Hawaii by parents Pete and Bernadette "Bernie" Hernandez, of Puerto Rican and Filipino descent. Hernandez was one of six children and came from a musical family giving him a diverse mix of reggae, rock, hip hop, and R&B. From a young age, he was impersonating and performing songs by artists such as Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, The Isley Brothers, and The Temptations. In 1990, Hernandez was featured in MidWeek as "Little Elvis", going on to have a cameo in Honeymoon in Vegas in 1992. "I watch the best. I'm a big fan of Elvis. I'm a big fan of 1950s Elvis when he would go on stage and scare people because he was a force and girls would go nuts! You can say the same thing for Prince or The Police. It's just guys who know that people are here to see a show, so I watch those guys and I love studying them because I'm a fan," he stated. In 2010 he said, "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. My uncle's an incredible guitar player, my dad's an incredible percussionist, my brother's a great drummer, he actually plays in our band. I've just been surrounded by it. He attended President Theodore Roosevelt High School, graduating in 2003 at the age of seventeen, and shortly after moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue a musical career.

2009–present: Commercial success and Doo-Wops & Hooligans

Before becoming a successful solo artist, Hernandez was an acknowledged music producer, writing songs for Alexandra Burke, Travie McCoy, Adam Levine, Brandy, and Sean Kingston, as well as Flo Rida's international hit "Right Round". He also co-wrote the Sugababes' hit song "Get Sexy" and provided backing vocals on their album Sweet 7. His first musical appearance as a singer was in Far East Movement's second studio album Animal, featured on the track "3D". He reached prominence as a solo artist after being featured on and co-writing B.o.B's "Nothin' on You" and Travie McCoy's "Billionaire"; both songs peaked within the top ten of many charts worldwide. He said of them, "I think those songs weren't meant to be full-sung songs. If I'd sung all of "Nothin' on You", it might've sounded like some '90s R&B." Following this success, Mars released his debut extended play (EP), titled It's Better If You Don't Understand, on May 11, 2010. The EP peaked at the ninety-ninth position on the Billboard 200 and produced one single: "The Other Side", featuring rappers Cee Lo Green and B.o.B. He performed a medley of "Nothin' on You" and "Airplanes" with B.o.B and Hayley Williams at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, 2010.

Mars' debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, will be released on October 5, 2010. The lead single, "Just the Way You Are", was released on July 19, 2010, and has reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The music video was released on September 8, 2010. "Liquor Store Blues" features Damian Marley and was released to the iTunes Store on September 21, 2010. He will open for Maroon 5 on the fall leg of the Hands All Over Tour starting October 6, 2010. Mars will also co-headline with Travie McCoy on a European tour starting October 18, 2010.

On September 19, 2010, Mars was arrested in Las Vegas for possession of cocaine. He claims "he has never used drugs before".

Musical style

Although Mars has been referenced as "soft" because of his light falsetto voice, his co-producer says, "What people don't know is there's a darker underbelly to Bruno Mars." Mars himself says, "I blame that on me singing to girls back in high school."

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

Featured singles

Music videos

Awards and nominations

• BET Awards
  • 2010: Best Collaboration "Nothin' on You" (with B.o.B) (Nominated)
  • 2010: Video of the Year "Nothin' on You" (with B.o.B) (Nominated)

• BET Hip Hop Awards
  • 2010: Best Hip Hop Video "Nothin' on You" (with B.o.B) (Pending)
  • 2010: Reese's Perfect Combo Award "Nothin' on You" (with B.o.B) (Pending)

• MTV Video Music Awards
  • 2010: Best Pop Video "Nothin' on You" (with B.o.B) (Nominated)

• MTV2 Sucker Free Summit Awards
  • 2010: Instant Classic "Nothin' on You" (with B.o.B) (Nominated)

• Teen Choice Awards
  • 2010: Best Single "Nothin' on You" (with B.o.B) (Nominated)

References

1. "ACE Title Search: Hernandez Peter Gene". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
2. Kaufman, Gil (September 20, 2010). "Bruno Mars Arrested For Drug Possession". MTV News. Retrieved September 20, 2010.
3. "Bruno nicked for coke in Vegas". The Sun. News International. September 21, 2010. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
4. Goodman, William (September 20, 2010). "Bruno Mars Arrested for Drug Possession". Spin. Spin Media LLC.
5. ^ Moniz, Melissa (April 14, 2010). "Starring Bruno Mars". MidWeek. Black Press. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
6. "BRUNO FEATURED IN VIBE MAGAZINE!". Vibe. August 10, 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
7. ^ Lester, Paul (September 13, 2010). "New band of the day: Bruno Mars (No 865)". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
8. "Bruno Mars and Phillip Lawrence". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. March 18, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
9. ^ "Bruno Mars gravitates toward a stellar solo career". USA Today. Gannett Company, Inc. September 15, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
10. http://www.4music.com/artist/bruno-mars/just-the-way-you-are-interview.html
11. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yWMJyNSIpM&feature=channel
12. Wete, Brad (April 13, 2010). "So who is Bruno Mars? A Q&A with the guy behind B.O.B's smash hit 'Nothin' On You'". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
13. "Get Sexy". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
14. Sweet 7 (Media notes). Island Records. 2010. {{cite AV media notes}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |albumlink= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |artist= ignored (|others= suggested) (help)
15. "Animal by Far East Movement FM". iTunes Store. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
16. "Bruno Mars Blasts Off Into the Top Ten Albums Chart on iTunes With New Digital EP; Acclaimed Singer/Songwriter/Producer Follows B.o.B's #1 Blockbuster, "Nothin' On You" With Much-Anticipated Solo Debut; Four-Song EP Features Guest Appearances From B.o.B and the Legendary Cee Lo Green; Major TV Performances Slated Throughout May; "IT'S BETTER IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND" Arrives at All Digital Retailers Today" (Press release). Marketwire. May 11, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
17. "Bruno Mars Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
18. Rodriguez, Jayson (July 15, 2010). "Bruno Mars Shows His 'Darker' Self On 'The Other Side' Video". MTV News. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
19. Dinh, James (September 13, 2010). "B.o.B, Hayley Williams Perform Rousing 'Airplanes' At VMAs". MTV. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
20. Busy (August 25, 2010). "*EXCLUSIVE* BIG NEWS! ALBUM TITLE & RELEASE DATE!". Retrieved August 25, 2010.
21. ^ "Bruno Mars Unveils Eagerly Awaited Debut Album "DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS" Slated to Arrive October 5th; New Single "Just The Way You Are" Shaping Up as Massive Hit, With Top 3 Success on iTunes "Top Singles"; Sold-Out New York City Live Debut Set for Tonight, Followed by US Tour Alongside Maroon 5 in October" (Press release). Marketwire. August 25, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
22. "Bruno Mars Ready With New Solo Single; "Just The Way You Are" Drops July 20th, Heralding Hugely Anticipated Debut Album; Elektra Recording Artist and Acclaimed Singer/Songwriter/Producer to Join Maroon 5 and One Republic on Tour" (Press release). Marketwire. July 19, 2010. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
23. Pietroluongo, Silvio (September 22, 2010). "Bruno Mars Lands Atop Hot 100, Rihanna Roars Into Top 10". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
24. Wete, Brad (September 8, 2010). "Bruno Mars wows his lady with cassette tape drawings in 'Just the Way You Are' video: Watch here". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
25. "Liquor Store Blues (feat. Damian Marley)". iTunes Store. {{cite web}}: Text "accessdate-September 21, 2010" ignored (help)
26. "Bruno Mars Arrested". September 20, 2010.
27. "Bruno Mars -- Sniffed Out by Bathroom Attendant". September 20, 2010.
28. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20017098-504083.html
29. Wood, Mikael (August 18, 2010). "Bruno Mars Is Not Soft". The Village Voice. Village Voice Media. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
30. "Bruno Mars Album & Song Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
31. "Chart Stats - Bruno Mars". chartstats.com. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
32. "Bruno Mars Album & Song Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
33. "Bruno Mars Album & Song Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
34. "Bruno Mars Album & Song Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
35. ^ "Discography Bruno Mars". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
36. "Bruno Mars Album & Song Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
37. "Bruno Mars Album & Song Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
38. ^ "Discography Bruno Mars". charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
39. Peak chart positions for featured singles on the Billboard Hot 100:
    • "B.o.B Album & Song Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
    • "Travie McCoy Album & Song Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
40. Peak chart positions for featured singles in Canada:
    • "B.o.B. Album & Song Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
    • "Travie McCoy Album & Song Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
41. "Discography Bruno Mars" (in Danish). danishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
42. Peak chart positions for featured singles in Germany:
    • "Nothin' on You": "Chartverfolgung: B.O.B Feat.Mars,Bruno" (in German). musicline.de. Phononet. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
    • "Billionaire": "Chartverfolgung: McCoy,Travie" (in German). musicline.de. Phononet. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
43. "Discography Bruno Mars". irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
44. "Discografie Bruno Mars" (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
45. "Discography Bruno Mars" (in German). swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
46. Peak chart positions for featured singles in the United Kingdom:
    • ""Nothin' on You" UK Singles Chart peak position". Chart Stats. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
    • ""Billionaire" UK Singles Chart peak position". Chart Stats. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
47. "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - August 10, 2010: Bruno Mars certified singles". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
48. "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2010 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
49. ^ "RIANZ > Latest Gold & Platinum Singles". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2010-09-06. Cite error: The named reference "RIANZ" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
50. "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - September 16, 2010". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
51. "B.o.B - "Nothin' On You (feat. Bruno Mars)"". MTV. March 9, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
52. "Travie McCoy - "Billionaire"". MTV. May 6, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
53. "Bruno Mars - "The Other Side "". MTV. August 23, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2010.

External links

• Official website
• Please use a more specific IMDb template. See the documentation for available templates.

• 1986 births
• American musicians of Asian descent
• American musicians of Filipino descent
• American people of Filipino descent
• American people of Puerto Rican descent
• American singers
• Elektra Records artists
• Filipino male singers
• Living people
• Musicians from Hawaii