Bruno Mars, born Peter Gene Hernandez on October 8, 1985, is a talented American singer-songwriter known for his dynamic stage presence and ability to seamlessly blend various musical genres in his performances. Alongside his band, the Hooligans, who also serve as backup singers and dancers, Mars continues to captivate audiences with his infectious energy and soulful voice. Recently, Mars joined forces with singer Anderson .Paak to create the duo Silk Sonic, further showcasing his versatility and creativity in the music industry.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Peter Gene Hernandez |
| Date Of Birth: | October 8, 1985 |
| Place Of Birth: | Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S |
| Nationality: | American |
| Spouse: | Jessica Caban |
| Occupations: | Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Director, Dancer |
| Labels: | UMG,AtlanticElektra |
| Net Worth: | $175 million |
Early Life And Background
Peter Gene Hernandez, born on October 8, 1985 in Honolulu, Hawaii, comes from a diverse background with his father being of Puerto Rican and Jewish descent, and his mother Filipino with some Spanish ancestry.
Growing up in a musical family, he was exposed to a variety of genres including rock and roll, reggae, hip hop, and rhythm and blues. Inspired by his family and performers like Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson, Mars began his musical journey at a young age, performing with his family band and gaining recognition in Hawaii for his talent.
Despite facing challenges such as his parents’ divorce and financial struggles, Mars continued to pursue his passion for music, incorporating influences from his Hawaiian roots and experiences into his work.
Career
Following an opportunity in Los Angeles, Mars began his professional music career under the guidance of Mike Lynn, the head of A&R at Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment record label.
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Upon graduating high school at 17 in 2003, Peter Gene Hernandez, also known as Bruno Mars, made the move to Los Angeles to kickstart his music career.
Inspired by his childhood nickname and aiming to break industry stereotypes, he adopted the name “Mars.” While initially signing with Motown Records in 2004 and later pursuing opportunities that didn’t pan out, Mars’ time in Los Angeles proved beneficial.
Connecting with mentors like Philip Lawrence and learning the ropes of pop music with his bandmates, Mars honed his craft and caught the attention of Atlantic Records.
Facing rejection and financial struggles, Mars and Lawrence persisted in songwriting until their breakthrough with Menudo’s song “Lost,” providing them with the opportunity to write and produce for other artists. Their collaborations, including hits for Flo Rida and B.o.B, propelled Mars into the spotlight, leading to the release of his debut EP in 2010.
On July 20, 2010, Bruno Mars released “Just the Way You Are,” the lead single from his debut studio album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans. The album, mainly produced by the Smeezingtons, saw immense success, topping charts in multiple countries and selling over 15.5 million copies worldwide. Other hit singles from the album include “Grenade” and “The Lazy Song.”
Mars embarked on various concert tours to promote the album, including The Doo-Wops & Hooligans Tour and the Hooligans in Wondaland Tour. He also received his first Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for “Just the Way You Are.”
In December 2012, Mars released his second album, Unorthodox Jukebox which also topped charts and spawned hits like “Locked Out of Heaven” and “When I Was Your Man.” The Moonshine Jungle Tour followed, grossing $156.4 million, and Mars headlined the Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show in 2014 with the Red Hot Chili Peppers as special guests.
At the 2014 Grammy Awards, Mars won Best Pop Vocal Album for Unorthodox Jukebox and received multiple nominations for his hit songs. Additionally, he starred as Roberto in the movie Rio 2 and collaborated with Mark Ronson on the chart-topping hit “Uptown Funk.”
In September 2014, Bruno Mars announced he was working on his third album, aiming for quality over speed in its production. At the 2016 Grammy Awards, “Uptown Funk” won Mars a Grammy, and he later performed at the Super Bowl 50 halftime show with Coldplay and Beyoncé.
Mars released his third album, 24K Magic, in November 2016, featuring the hit singles “24K Magic” and “That’s What I Like.” The album was a success, reaching number one in several countries.
Over the years, Mars continued to collaborate on various projects and singles, such as “Wake Up in the Sky” with Gucci Mane and Kodak Black and “Please Me” with Cardi B. In 2021, Mars and Anderson .Paak joined forces to form Silk Sonic, releasing their album “An Evening with Silk Sonic.”
The duo achieved critical acclaim, winning multiple awards at prestigious ceremonies like the Grammy Awards and BET Awards. The album’s lead single, “Leave the Door Open,” topped charts and further solidified Mars and Paak’s success as Silk Sonic.
In 2022, Bruno Mars kicked off his second concert residency, Bruno Mars at Park MGM, followed by a world tour starting in Sydney and Tokyo. The tour extended through 2023, with performances in various countries such as South Korea, the Philippines, Brazil, and Israel.
By February 2023, it was revealed that Mars was working on his fourth solo studio album, with the assistance of producer Brody Brown, Philip Lawrence, James Fauntleroy, and D’Mile. The album, nearing completion after months of production work, promises a new sound and aesthetic. Mars is in talks with Live Nation Entertainment to organize a tour spanning 2024 and 2025, featuring “large-scale, three-dimensional” performances.
In 2024, Mars continued the tour with shows in Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore, and a 14-show tour in Brazil, titled Bruno Mars: Live in Brazil.
On August 16, 2024, Mars teamed up with Lady Gaga for their collaborative single “Die with a Smile,” reaching number one on the Billboard Global 200 and receiving nominations at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
Additionally, in September 2024, Mars and Rosé released their joint single “Apt.,” propelling to number one on the Billboard Global 200 and topping charts in Australia and New Zealand.
In 2022, Bruno Mars continued his second concert residency at Park MGM, followed by a world tour that kicked off in Sydney and Tokyo and extended to countries like South Korea, the Philippines, Brazil, and more in 2023.
By February 2023, Mars was working on his fourth solo album with collaborators including Brody Brown, Philip Lawrence, James Fauntleroy, and D’Mile. The album had a new sound and aesthetic, with plans for a tour in 2024 and 2025 featuring innovative performances.
In August 2024, Mars and Lady Gaga released “Die with a Smile,” reaching number one internationally and receiving Grammy nominations. A month later, Mars collaborated with Rosé on “Apt.,” topping charts and marking another successful hit.
Musical Style And Influences
Mars was immersed in music from a young age, with influences ranging from 1950s doo-wop to classic rock, reggae, and hip-hop.
Artists like Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson shaped his early performances, while icons such as Stevie Wonder, Freddie Mercury, and Bob Marley influenced his diverse musical style.
His work also reflects admiration for artists like Janet Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, and Amy Winehouse. Mars incorporates a mix of genres in his music, blending pop, R&B, funk, soul, reggae, and rock elements.
His debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, features pop, reggae pop, and R&B tracks with upbeat and introspective themes. Subsequent albums like Unorthodox Jukebox and 24K Magic showcase a fusion of disco, funk, rock, and soul, delving into themes of romance, sexuality, and lifestyle.
His work with Silk Sonic explores R&B, soul, funk, hip hop, and pop, touching on seduction, romance, and materialism.
Personal Life
In 2011, Mars entered into a relationship with model Jessica Caban, and the couple has continued to be together, living in a mansion in the Hollywood Hills along with their pet Rottweiler, Geronimo.
In a tragic turn of events on May 31, 2013, while returning from a performance abroad, Mars received devastating news at the airport that his mother was critically ill. Without hesitation, he boarded a flight to Hawaii, but sadly, his mother passed away the following day at Queens Medical Center in Honolulu at the age of 55 due to complications from a brain aneurysm.
Bruno Mars Net Worth
Bruno Mars’ net worth is estimated at $175 million in 2024, mainly from his successful music career with hit albums like “Doo-Wops & Hooligans” and “24K Magic,” as well as high-earning tours and a Las Vegas residency where he reportedly earns $1.5 million per night.
Despite rumors of a $50 million gambling debt to MGM Resorts, Mars and the resort deny any such claims, emphasizing his continued success in music through projects and collaborations.
Awards And Nominations
Bruno Mars has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his illustrious career. Here’s a summary:
Awards
- Grammy Awards: 15 wins, including:
- Album of the Year for 24K Magic (2018)
- Record of the Year for “24K Magic” (2018) and “That’s What I Like” (2018)
- Song of the Year for “That’s What I Like” (2018)
- American Music Awards: 11 wins, including:
- Artist of the Year (2017)
- Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist (2018)
- MTV Video Music Awards: 2 wins, including:
- Best Male Video for “24K Magic” (2017)
- Brit Awards: 4 wins, including:
- International Male Solo Artist (2014)
Nominations
- Grammy Awards: Over 30 nominations.
- Billboard Music Awards: Numerous nominations across various categories.
- Teen Choice Awards: Multiple nominations for Choice Male Artist and other categories.
Overall, Bruno Mars has garnered 53 wins and 147 nominations, solidifying his status as one of the most awarded artists in contemporary music.
Discography
Albums
- Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010)
- Unorthodox Jukebox (2012)
- 24K Magic (2016)
- An Evening with Silk Sonic (with Anderson .Paak) (2021)
Notable Singles
- Just the Way You Are (2010)
- Grenade (2010)
- The Lazy Song (2011)
- Locked Out of Heaven (2012)
- When I Was Your Man (2013)
- Uptown Funk (with Mark Ronson) (2014)
- That’s What I Like (2016)
- Finesse (Remix) (featuring Cardi B) (2018)
- Leave the Door Open (with Anderson .Paak as Silk Sonic) (2021)
- Die with a Smile (with Lady Gaga) (2024)
