Bruno Mars facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bruno Mars
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Mars in 2017
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Peter Gene Hernandez
October 8, 1985 Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
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| Years active | 1990–present |
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| Partner(s) | Jessica Caban (2011–present) |
| Awards | Full list |
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Bruno Mars, whose real name is Peter Gene Hernandez, was born on October 8, 1985. He is a famous American singer, songwriter, music producer, and dancer. Many people see him as a pop icon because of his amazing singing voice, exciting live shows, and ability to perform many different styles of music. He often performs with his band, The Hooligans. Bruno Mars grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii. As a child, he became known for pretending to be Elvis Presley. In 2003, he moved to Los Angeles to follow his dream of becoming a musician.
Bruno Mars became very famous after singing on the hit song "Nothin' on You" in 2009. His first three albums, Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010), Unorthodox Jukebox (2012), and 24K Magic (2016), were all very successful. 24K Magic even won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year! These albums had many popular songs like "Just the Way You Are", "Grenade", "Locked Out of Heaven", and "That's What I Like". He also sang on Mark Ronson's huge hit "Uptown Funk" in 2014.
His success continued into the 2020s. In 2021, he formed a supergroup called Silk Sonic with Anderson .Paak. They released an album inspired by 1970s R&B music, An Evening with Silk Sonic, which included the number-one song "Leave the Door Open". More recently, his songs "Die with a Smile" with Lady Gaga and "APT." with Rosé were huge hits around the world in 2024. His fourth solo album, The Romantic, was released on February 27, 2026, and its first single, "I Just Might", debuted at number one in the U.S.
Bruno Mars has sold over 150 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He has had ten number-one songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His 24K Magic World Tour (2017–2018) was one of the highest-earning tours ever. He has won many awards, including 16 Grammy Awards and 14 American Music Awards.
Contents
Bruno Mars's Early Life and Music Journey
Growing Up in Hawaii
Peter Gene Hernandez, known as Bruno Mars, was born on October 8, 1985, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His father was from New York and had Puerto Rican and Jewish family roots. His mother came from the Philippines and had Filipino and Spanish family. His parents were both musicians; his mother was a hula dancer and his father played drums. When he was two years old, his father nicknamed him "Bruno" because he looked like a wrestler named Bruno Sammartino.
Bruno Mars grew up in a big musical family with five other siblings. He heard many types of music, like rock and roll, reggae, hip-hop, and R&B. His mother was a singer and dancer, and his father played music by Little Richard, which inspired young Bruno. His uncle, who impersonated Elvis Presley, encouraged Bruno to perform songs by Elvis and Michael Jackson when he was just three. By age four, Bruno was performing five days a week with his family's band, the Love Notes. He became famous in Hawaii as "Little Elvis" for his amazing impersonations.
Bruno Mars even had a small role in the 1992 movie Honeymoon in Vegas and appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show when he was six. He performed often with his family's band, singing songs by artists like Frankie Lymon. He learned to play many instruments, including drums, guitar, and piano. When he was 12, his parents separated, and the family band stopped performing. This was a challenging time for him.
His early Elvis performances greatly shaped his musical style. He also learned to play guitar, inspired by the famous Jimi Hendrix. Bruno Mars often says that growing up in Hawaii with his musical family was very important to who he became. In high school, he sang in a group called the School Boys and was well-known for his performances, even impersonating Michael Jackson.
Starting a Music Career in Los Angeles
After high school, in 2003, Bruno Mars moved to Los Angeles to start his music career. He chose the stage name "Bruno Mars" from his childhood nickname. He added "Mars" because he felt it gave him a unique flair, and he wanted to avoid being labeled only as a Latin artist by the music industry.
Moving to Los Angeles was a big change for Bruno Mars. He had to work hard to make ends meet. In 2004, he signed with Motown Records, but it didn't work out. However, this experience helped him realize that writing and producing songs for other artists could be a great way to build his career. In 2005, he signed a deal to publish music with producers Steve Lindsey and Cameron Strang.
Steve Lindsey became a mentor to Bruno Mars and other songwriters like Brody Brown and Jeff Bhasker. He taught them how to create hit pop songs. Bruno Mars also played cover songs in a band with his brother, Eric Hernandez, who later became the drummer for The Hooligans.
Bruno Mars met Philip Lawrence, and they started writing songs together. Even though they faced many rejections from record labels, their hard work paid off. In 2006, Philip introduced Bruno to Aaron Bay-Schuck from Atlantic Records. It took about three years, but Atlantic Records eventually signed Bruno Mars, believing he needed time to grow as an artist.
Bruno Mars's Rise to Stardom
Early Production Work and First EP
In 2008, Bruno Mars and Philip Lawrence sold a song they wrote for $20,000. This helped them continue their work, and they decided to focus on writing and producing songs for other artists. Brandon Creed later became Bruno Mars's manager.
Before becoming a solo star, Bruno Mars was a successful music producer and songwriter. He wrote songs for many artists, including Flo Rida's hit "Right Round" in 2009. He also sang on songs for other artists, like "Nothin' on You" by B.o.B and "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy. Both of these songs became very popular, helping Bruno Mars get noticed as a performer.
Bruno Mars released his first collection of songs, an extended play (EP) called It's Better If You Don't Understand, on May 11, 2010. He also helped write and produce CeeLo Green's hit song "Forget You".
Doo-Wops & Hooligans Album Success
Bruno Mars released "Just the Way You Are" on July 20, 2010. This was the first song from his debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans. The song quickly became a number-one hit in many countries, including the U.S. and Australia. The album, released on October 5, 2010, was also a huge success, selling over 15.5 million copies worldwide.
Other popular songs from the album included "Grenade" and "The Lazy Song", which also topped charts. Bruno Mars promoted his album by opening for bands like Maroon 5. He also went on his own tour, The Doo-Wops & Hooligans Tour, from 2010 to 2012.
At the 2011 Grammy Awards, Bruno Mars won his first Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Just the Way You Are". He received many other nominations for his work as a singer and producer.
Unorthodox Jukebox and Super Bowl Halftime Show
In 2012, Bruno Mars shared that his next album would have even more musical variety. His second album, Unorthodox Jukebox, was released on December 11, 2012. It quickly became a number-one album in several countries and sold over six million copies worldwide.
The first single from the album, "Locked Out of Heaven", was released in October 2012 and became a chart-topper. Other hit songs from Unorthodox Jukebox included "When I Was Your Man" and "Treasure". "When I Was Your Man" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Bruno Mars's second major concert tour, the Moonshine Jungle Tour, ran from June 2013 to October 2014. On September 8, 2013, it was announced that Bruno Mars would headline the Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show, with the Red Hot Chili Peppers as special guests. This show was watched by 115.3 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched halftime shows ever at the time.
At the 2014 Grammy Awards, Unorthodox Jukebox won the Best Pop Vocal Album award. Bruno Mars also lent his voice to the animated film Rio 2 in 2014. Later that year, he collaborated with Mark Ronson on the song "Uptown Funk", which became a massive global hit, topping charts for many weeks.
24K Magic and Another Super Bowl Performance
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Bruno Mars started working on his third album in September 2014. In 2016, "Uptown Funk" won two Grammy Awards. A week before that, Bruno Mars and Beyoncé were guest performers at the Super Bowl 50 halftime show, which was headlined by Coldplay. This was Bruno Mars's second time performing at the Super Bowl halftime show, and it was also one of the most-watched.
His third album, 24K Magic, was released on November 18, 2016. It quickly reached number two on the charts in several countries. The album sold over five million copies worldwide. Hit singles from 24K Magic included the title track "24K Magic", "That's What I Like", and a remix of "Finesse" with rapper Cardi B. "That's What I Like" became a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
Bruno Mars began a concert residency, Bruno Mars at Park MGM, in 2016. His worldwide tour, the 24K Magic World Tour (2017–2018), earned more than $300 million. In 2017, he won seven American Music Awards, including Artist of the Year. At the 2018 Grammy Awards, Bruno Mars won all the categories he was nominated for, including Album of the Year for 24K Magic and Record of the Year for the song "24K Magic".
Silk Sonic and Recent Collaborations
Bruno Mars continued to collaborate with other artists. In September 2018, he released "Wake Up in the Sky" with rappers Gucci Mane and Kodak Black. In February 2019, he and Cardi B released "Please Me". He also worked with Ed Sheeran and Chris Stapleton on the song "Blow" in July 2019.
On February 26, 2021, Bruno Mars and rapper Anderson .Paak announced they had formed a musical duo called Silk Sonic. Their album, An Evening with Silk Sonic, was released on November 12, 2021. It quickly reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart. The album featured hit singles like "Leave the Door Open", which topped the Billboard Hot 100.
In early 2022, Silk Sonic started their own concert residency, An Evening with Silk Sonic at Park MGM. They won many awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2022 Grammy Awards for "Leave the Door Open".
World Tours and The Romantic Album
Bruno Mars continued his Bruno Mars at Park MGM concert residency in 2022 and also started a world tour. This tour included shows in many countries like Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Brazil, and Singapore. The tour ended in 2024 after a successful run of 14 shows in Brazil. His concerts in 2023 earned over $66.3 million.
On August 16, 2024, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga released their single, "Die with a Smile". It became a number-one hit on the Billboard Global 200 and topped charts in many countries. The song won the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance award at the 2025 Grammy Awards. A month later, Bruno Mars and Rosé released "APT.", which also became a global number-one hit. Both songs were among the world's most-streamed songs in late 2024 and early 2025.
Bruno Mars produced a new version of "Burning Love" by Elvis Presley for the upcoming Lilo & Stitch movie, performed by his nephews. In June 2025, he was the featured artist for Fortnite Festival Season 9, and released the single "Bonde do Brunão". On January 7, 2026, Bruno Mars confirmed his new album, The Romantic, was finished and would be released on February 27, 2026. The first single, "I Just Might", debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Bruno Mars's Artistry
Musical Influences
Bruno Mars grew up listening to his father's collection of 1950s doo-wop music and artists like Little Richard and Elvis Presley. His early impersonations of Elvis greatly influenced his performing style. He also looked up to Michael Jackson and was inspired by hip-hop music.
His musical style was first drawn to R&B, and he was influenced by artists like Keith Sweat and Jodeci. He also listened to 1950s rock 'n' roll and Motown music. In high school, he enjoyed Led Zeppelin and the Beatles, and singers with powerful voices like Stevie Wonder and Freddie Mercury. Bob Marley and local Hawaiian bands gave Bruno Mars his reggae roots. Hip-hop artists like Jay-Z also influenced his songwriting.
Bruno Mars has mentioned other inspirations, including Janet Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, and Amy Winehouse. He says he is a fan of many different artists and genres. When it comes to dancing, he is inspired by natural performers like Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, and Prince.
Music Style and Themes
Bruno Mars's music is known for its mix of styles, including pop, R&B, funk, and soul. He also adds elements of disco, reggae, and rock to his songs. His first album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, had a lot of pop, reggae pop, and R&B songs. Many of his songs have happy, carefree, and optimistic feelings.
His second album, Unorthodox Jukebox, also featured disco, funk, rock, reggae, and soul influences. This album explored themes of romance and relationships. Bruno Mars's third album, 24K Magic, was influenced by R&B, funk, pop, and new jack swing. The album's lyrics often talked about money and having a good time.
An Evening with Silk Sonic, his album with Anderson .Paak, is rooted in R&B, soul, funk, hip hop, and pop music. It explores themes of romance and connection.
His Voice and Songwriting
Bruno Mars has an impressive three-octave tenor vocal range. Critics have described his voice as "versatile" and "smooth," able to fit many different styles of music. His vocals have been compared to the clear and powerful voice of Michael Jackson.
Bruno Mars says inspiration for songs can come to him at any time. He usually writes songs by playing the guitar or piano. He can play many instruments, including drums, guitar, keyboard, bass, piano, ukulele, and congas. He often plays these instruments on his own albums and for songs he writes for other artists.
He believes his work with other artists helped shape his musical style. Growing up in Hawaii also influenced his music, giving his songs a reggae sound. While some of his music explores different themes, many of his songs are romantic.
Amazing Live Performances
Bruno Mars is famous for his exciting and energetic live shows, which critics often praise. He is known for his "retro" style of performing. People have compared his showmanship to that of Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley. Bruno Mars watches videos of performers like James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, and Prince to get inspired before his shows.
During his tours, critics noted that his concerts attracted audiences of all ages. He is known for his strong guitar skills and for keeping the audience engaged throughout the entire show. Rolling Stone magazine once ranked him among the best live acts, saying his concerts make everyone feel like the show was designed just for them.
Bruno Mars's concerts feature his band, The Hooligans, who also dance and sing backup. The band's performances add a special touch to the live versions of his songs. His shows often include impressive dancing, pyrotechnics, and colorful lighting. He also plays drums and guitar during his performances. In 2021, Pollstar named Bruno Mars the top hip-hop/R&B touring artist of the 2010s.
Music Videos
Bruno Mars has worked with several directors to create his music videos, and he often co-directs them himself. From 2010 to 2017, he co-directed ten music videos with Cameron Duddy. He also choreographed the video for "Treasure," which won him the Best Choreography award at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards.
More recently, he has collaborated with Florent Dechard on videos for songs like "Finesse" and "Leave the Door Open". In 2024, he co-directed the music videos for "Die with a Smile" and "APT." with Daniel Ramos. His music videos have won several awards, including for direction and editing.
Fashion Style
Bruno Mars often wears outfits inspired by past decades, matching his fashion to his music's style. For his Doo-Wops and Hooligans era, he wore 1960s-inspired suits. For 24K Magic, he channeled the 1980s and 1990s with his sound and look. He even encouraged a dress code in the studio, favoring fancy clothes to help create a "groovy" vibe.
When he worked with Anderson .Paak as Silk Sonic in 2021, he wore 1970s-style clothes like wide collars and funky patterns. This fashion perfectly matched their music. No matter the decade he's inspired by, Bruno Mars's fashion sense and stage presence make him seem larger than life.
The Hooligans: Bruno Mars's Band
- Bruno Mars – lead vocals, guitars, keyboards (2010–present)
- Philip Lawrence – backing vocals (2010–2018, 2022–present)
- Jamareo Artis – bass guitar (2010–present)
- Eric Hernandez – drums (2010–present)
- Kameron Whalum – trombone (2010–present), backing vocals (2018–present)
- Dwayne Dugger – saxophone (2010–present), keyboard (2017–present)
- James King – trumpet (2010–present), backing vocals (2018–present)
- John Fossitt – keyboards (2012–present)
- Luke Kennedy Aiono – guitars (2023–present)
Former members
- Kenji Chan – guitars (2010–2012)
- Phredley Brown – guitars (2012–2022), keyboards (2010–2012), backing vocals (2010–2022)
- Mateus Asato – guitars (2019, 2021, 2022–2023)
Timeline
Other Projects and Partnerships
Brand Deals and Collaborations
Bruno Mars has worked with several brands. In 2011, he appeared in commercials for Bench. He also invested in Chromatik, a company that makes digital sheet music, and in NJOY, an electronic-cigarette company, hoping to help people quit smoking.
In 2014, Bruno Mars became involved with SelvaRey Rum. He helped redesign the rum's taste and packaging in a 1970s style in 2020. In March 2021, he released a luxury sportswear line called Lacoste x Ricky Regal with the brand Lacoste, blending his style with their sportswear.
On February 12, 2024, Bruno Mars opened his own lounge bar called The Pinky Ring on the Las Vegas Strip. The bar features live music and DJs. In November 2023, he partnered with Fender to release a limited-edition "Bruno Mars Stratocaster" guitar, inspired by his retro style.
In August 2024, Bruno Mars appeared in a commercial for the Japanese discount store Don Quijote, where he danced and sang a jingle he wrote. He also collaborated with Stetson in September 2024 to release a new line of hats. In December 2024, Bruno Mars and Hello Kitty teamed up to celebrate Hello Kitty's 50th anniversary. In June 2025, he was the featured artist for Season 9 of the Fortnite Festival. On January 30, 2026, he was announced as the 2026 Record Store Day ambassador and will release a compilation album called The Collaborations.
Giving Back to the Community
Bruno Mars is also known for his charity work. In 2014, he partnered with the Hawai'i Community Foundation and the Grammy Foundation to create a scholarship fund for music students from Hawaii, in honor of his mother. He later expanded this scholarship to students across the United States.
In 2014, he donated $100,000 to help orphans affected by Typhoon Haiyan. He also performed at concerts to help build homes for people in need and to fight poverty in New York City. In 2017, Bruno Mars and Live Nation donated one million dollars from a concert to help victims of the Flint water crisis. He also helped with the "Somos Una Voz" initiative to support survivors of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.
In 2018, he donated 24,000 meals for the Salvation Army's Thanksgiving Dinner in Hawaii. In 2020, Bruno Mars donated $1 million to help MGM employees who were facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also donated autographed microphones for an auction to support youth music education programs.
Until the end of 2021, he donated all profits from SelvaRey Rum to a music education program at Honolulu Community College. In 2022, Bruno Mars, Billie Eilish, and Dua Lipa became co-chairs for the Grammy Museum's Campaign for Music Education, raising money for educational programs. In 2024, he performed a charity concert in Brazil to help victims of floods.
Bruno Mars's Impact on Music
Bruno Mars has been called a "pop icon" by many publications. He is known for bringing back the "funkalicious vibes of retro pop and R&B" to modern music. Some have called him the "king of retro crooning" and "the most valuable pop historian" of his time. He has also been called "the prince of pop music" and has solidified his "kingly pop stature" with his success.
Many articles have noted that Bruno Mars has had a long and consistent streak of success in pop music. He is recognized for his ability to blend different musical genres and for his amazing showmanship. His music and performances have inspired many other artists, including Dua Lipa, Shawn Mendes, and Selena Gomez.
Bruno Mars was named Billboard's Artist of the Year in 2013. He received an Innovator Award at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards. In 2019, iHeartRadio Canada listed him as one of its "Icons of the Decade". In 2021, Billboard ranked him the third Top Artist of the 2010s. In 2024, he was ranked 20th on Billboard's list of Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century.
Awards and Achievements
Bruno Mars has received many awards and honors, including 16 Grammy Awards, 14 American Music Awards, 4 Brit Awards, and 8 Guinness World Records. He was featured on Time magazine's 100 list in 2011 and topped Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in 2014. He holds the record for most nominations as a male artist for Record of the Year (eight) and Song of the Year (seven).
His song "Just The Way You Are" spent 20 weeks on the Adult Contemporary chart in the U.S., which was the longest debut. "When I Was Your Man" was the second number-one song in the country to feature only piano and vocals. He has ten number-one singles in the U.S. In 2025, he was the first artist to spend 30 weeks at number one on the Billboard Global 200 chart.
In 2012, "Just the Way You Are" and "Grenade" were among the best-selling digital singles of the year. Bruno Mars has sold over 150 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. In 2022, he became the first artist with six Diamond-certified songs in the U.S.
In 2014, after his Super Bowl performance, a law called the "Bruno Mars Act" was proposed in Hawaii to help prevent ticket scalping. In September 2021, Billboard reported that Bruno Mars had earned $604.4 million from concerts, making him one of fewer than 30 artists to reach that milestone.
In 2024, Bruno Mars was the first artist since Michael Jackson to sell out seven shows at the 55,000-capacity Tokyo Dome. His two concerts in Taiwan attracted 157,000 people. In early 2025, after the release of "Die With a Smile" and "APT.", Bruno Mars had a record 150 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
Bruno Mars's Personal Life
Family and Relationships
Bruno Mars's brother, Eric Hernandez, is the drummer for his backup band, The Hooligans. His sisters, Tiara, Tahiti, and Presley, and their cousin, Jamie, formed an all-girl group called The Lylas. Bruno Mars has been dating model Jessica Caban since 2011. They live in a mansion in the Hollywood Hills.
On June 1, 2013, Bruno Mars's mother passed away at age 55. He shared on Twitter how thankful he was for the support during this difficult time.
Embracing His Diverse Background
Bruno Mars has often spoken about his diverse background, with Puerto Rican, Filipino, and Jewish roots. He has shared that early in his career, record executives sometimes struggled to categorize his music because of his mixed heritage. He chose his stage name, in part, to avoid being stereotyped by the music industry.
Bruno Mars has always openly credited many Black artists, including James Brown, Prince, and Michael Jackson, as major influences on his music. He believes his music comes from a place of love and respect for these different genres and artists.
Financial Success
Billboard estimated Bruno Mars's earnings in 2013 at over $18 million. Forbes reported his earnings in 2014 at $60 million, placing him thirteenth on their Celebrity 100 list. In 2017, Forbes announced he was America's highest-paid musician, earning an estimated $100 million that year. In 2019, he was 54th on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list, with estimated earnings of $51.5 million.
Discography
Solo studio albums
- Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010)
- Unorthodox Jukebox (2012)
- 24K Magic (2016)
- The Romantic (2026)
Collaborative studio albums
- An Evening with Silk Sonic (with Anderson .Paak, as Silk Sonic) (2021)
Filmography
- Honeymoon in Vegas (1992)
- Rio 2 (2014)
Tours and Residencies
Concert ToursHeadlining
Co-headlining
Opening act
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Concert ResidenciesHeadlining
Co-headlining
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See also
In Spanish: Bruno Mars para niños
- List of best-selling singles in the United States
- List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones
- List of highest-certified music artists in the United States
- List of highest-grossing concert tours
- List of most-followed Twitter accounts
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