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Bruno Mars
Musical artist

Peter Gene Hernandez (born October 8, 1985), 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, as well as his own international number-one single "Just the Way You Are". He also co-wrote the international hits "Right Round" by Flo Rida featuring Kesha, "Wavin' Flag" by K'naan, and "Fuck You!" by Cee Lo Green. On October 4, 2010, he released his debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans.

Life and career

1985–2008: Early life and beginnings

Peter Hernandez was born and raised in the Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu, Hawaii by parents Pete and Bernadette "Bernie" Hernandez, of Puerto Rican and Filipino descent. At the age of two he was nicknamed 'Bruno' by his father, because he was a chubby baby and because there was a famous chubby wrestler at the time called Bruno Sammartino. 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 the film 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. Mars collaborated with Cee Lo Green once more in August 2010 by co-writing his single "Fuck You!". 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, was released digitally on October 4, and saw its physical release 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. Two songs from the album, "Liquor Store Blues" featuring Damian Marley and "Grenade" were released to the iTunes Store as promotional singles. 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. When talking to a police officer, Mars reportedly stated that what he did was "foolish" and that "he has never used drugs before".

On October 9th, 2010 he appeared on NBC"s Saturday Night Live and performed his songs "Just the Way You Are" and "Nothin' on You" and "Grenade".

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." Jon Caramanica of The New York Times called him "one of the most versatile and accessible singers in pop, with a light, soul-influenced voice that’s an easy fit in a range of styles, a universal donor." Mars cites Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Prince, and Tupac Shakur as his influences.

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions and sales figures
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
US
 CAN
Doo-Wops & Hooligans 3 6
  • US: 55,000

Extended plays

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
 UK
It's Better If You Don't Understand
  • Released: May 11, 2010
  • Label: Atlantic, Elektra
  • Format: Digital download
 99 97

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
 AUS
 CAN
 DEN
 IRL
 JPN
 NL
 NZ
 SWE
 UK
"The Other Side"
(featuring Cee Lo Green & B.o.B) 		2010 — — — — — — — — — — It's Better If You Don't Understand
"Just the Way You Are" 1 2 1 9 1 14 1 1 5 1
  • US: Platinum
  • NZ: Gold
 Doo-Wops & Hooligans
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Featured singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
 AUS
 CAN
 DEN
 GER
 IRL
 NL
 NZ
 SWI
 UK
"Nothin' on You"
(B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars) 		2010 1 3 10 24 22 7 1 5 28 1
  • US: 2× Platinum
  • AUS: Platinum
  • NZ: Platinum
 B.o.B. Presents:
The Adventures
of Bobby Ray
"Billionaire"
(Travie McCoy featuring Bruno Mars) 		4 5 12 8 16 2 1 2 14 3
  • US: 2× Platinum
  • AUS: Platinum
  • NZ: Platinum
 Lazarus
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Other charted songs

List of other charted songs with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
 CAN
"Liquor Store Blues" (featuring Damian Marley) 2010 — 97 Doo-Wops & Hooligans
"Grenade" 79 92
"The Lazy Song" 82 —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Music videos

List of music videos, showing year released and director
Title Year Director(s)
"Nothin' on You" (B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars) 2010 Ethan Lader
"Billionaire" (Travie McCoy featuring Bruno Mars) Mark Staubach
"The Other Side" (featuring Cee Lo Green & B.o.B) Nick Bilardello and Cameron Duddy
"Just the Way You Are" Ethan Lader

Awards and nominations

  • BET Hip Hop Awards
    • 2010: Best Hip Hop Video "Nothin' on You" (with B.o.B) (Nominated)
    • 2010: Reese's Perfect Combo Award "Nothin' on You" (with B.o.B) (Nominated)
  • MTV2 Sucker Free Summit Awards
    • 2010: Instant Classic "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. ^ Fekadu, Mesfin (October 7, 2010). "Huge success for rising singer-producer Bruno Mars overshadowed by felony cocaine charge". The Canadian Press. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
  3. Jeffries, David. "Bruno Mars > Biography". allmusic. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
  4. ^ Moniz, Melissa (April 14, 2010). "Starring Bruno Mars". MidWeek. Black Press. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
  5. "BRUNO FEATURED IN VIBE MAGAZINE!". Vibe. August 10, 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  6. Bruno Mars interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' October 2010
  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. 4Music.com meets Bruno Mars
  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. "Doo-Wops & Hooligans". Amazon.com. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  21. Busy (August 25, 2010). "*EXCLUSIVE* BIG NEWS! ALBUM TITLE & RELEASE DATE!". Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  22. ^ "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.
  23. "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.
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. "Bruno Mars Soars to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart With Debut Single "Just The Way You Are"; Single Lands the Top Position on UK Midweek Chart; Elektra Artist Slated for October 9th Performance on Saturday Night Live; Dates Already Sold Out on First-Ever U.S. Headline Tour; "DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS," Arrives October 5th" (Press release). Marketwire. September 22, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  27. "Bruno Mars Arrested". September 20, 2010.
  28. "Bruno Mars -- Sniffed Out by Bathroom Attendant". September 20, 2010.
  29. Bruno Mars Mug Shot: Singer Arrested in Las Vegas on Cocaine Charge
  30. Wood, Mikael (August 18, 2010). "Bruno Mars Is Not Soft". The Village Voice. Village Voice Media. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
  31. Caramanica, Jon (October 5, 2010). "Bruno Mars in Ascension". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
  32. Caulfield, Keith (October 13, 2010). "Toby Keith's 'Gun' Fires at No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
  33. "Canadian Albums: Week of October 23, 2010 (Biggest Jump)". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  34. Caulfield, Keith (October 13, 2010). "Toby Keith's 'Gun' Fires at No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
  35. "Bruno Mars Album & Song Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
  36. "Chart Stats - Bruno Mars". chartstats.com. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
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  40. ^ "Discography Bruno Mars" (in Danish). danishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-10-02.
  41. ^ "Discography Bruno Mars". irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
  42. "Bruno Mars Album & Song Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-09-25.
  43. "Charts.org.nz - Bruno Mars - Just the Way You Are". Charts.org.nz Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-10-02.
  44. ^ "Discography Bruno Mars". charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-10-05.
  45. "Discography Bruno Mars". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
  46. "Chart Archive: 2nd October 2010". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2010-09-26.
  47. "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - October 05, 2010: Bruno Mars certified singles". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2010-10-05.
  48. ^ "RIANZ > Latest Gold & Platinum Singles". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2010-10-04. Cite error: The named reference "RIANZ" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  49. Peak chart positions for featured singles on the Billboard Hot 100:
  50. Peak chart positions for featured singles in Canada:
  51. Peak chart positions for featured singles in Germany:
  52. "Discografie Bruno Mars" (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  53. "Discography Bruno Mars" (in German). swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
  54. Peak chart positions for featured singles in the United Kingdom:
  55. "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - October 05, 2010: Travie Mc Coy certified singles". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
  56. ^ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2010 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
  57. "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - October 05, 2010: Travie Mc Coy certified singles". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
  58. Peak chart positions for other charted songs in the United States:
  59. Peak chart positions for other charted songs in Canada:
  60. "B.o.B - "Nothin' On You (feat. Bruno Mars)"". MTV. March 9, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  61. "Travie McCoy - "Billionaire"". MTV. May 6, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  62. "Bruno Mars - "The Other Side "". MTV. August 23, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2010.

External links

Bruno Mars
Studio albums
Collaborative albums
Extended plays
Tours and residencies
Television
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