Bruno Mars (born Peter Gene Hernandez on October 8, 1985) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer whose blend of retro style, vocal mastery, and genre-crossing hits has made him one of the most celebrated artists of his generation. With a signature three-octave tenor voice, high-energy performances, and flair for nostalgic showmanship, Mars has become a pop icon whose work spans pop, funk, soul, R&B, reggae, and rock.
Raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Mars began performing at a young age, earning local fame for his Elvis Presley impersonations. In 2003, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a music career, initially making a name for himself behind the scenes as a songwriter and co-founder of the production trio The Smeezingtons. His breakout came in 2009 as a featured vocalist on B.o.B’s chart-topping hit “Nothin’ on You,” paving the way for his solo success.
Mars released his debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans in 2010, featuring massive hits like “Just the Way You Are” and “Grenade.” He followed with Unorthodox Jukebox (2012) and 24K Magic (2016), both of which cemented his place among pop’s elite. The latter earned him the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, with singles like “That’s What I Like,” “24K Magic,” and “Finesse” dominating global charts.
In 2014, he collaborated with Mark Ronson on “Uptown Funk”, a funk-infused anthem that became Billboard’s best-performing song of the 2010s. Mars continued to evolve artistically into the 2020s. In 2021, he teamed up with Anderson .Paak to form the retro-soul duo Silk Sonic, releasing the Grammy-winning album An Evening with Silk Sonic, which featured the No. 1 hit “Leave the Door Open.” In 2024, he scored two more global hits: “Die with a Smile” with Lady Gaga and “Apt.” with Rosé, both of which dominated the Billboard Global 200 for a combined 30 weeks.
With over 150 million records sold, nine Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, and a place among the best-selling music artists of all time, Mars has left an indelible mark on popular music. His 24K Magic World Tour (2017–2018) ranks among the most lucrative concert tours ever. Among his many accolades are 16 Grammy Awards, 4 Brit Awards, 11 American Music Awards, and 3 Guinness World Records. He holds the distinction of being the first artist with six RIAA diamond-certified songs and the first to surpass 150 million monthly Spotify listeners.
Recognized not only for his musical talent but also for his influence, Bruno Mars has been honored on Time’s 100 Most Influential People list, Forbes Celebrity 100, and Billboard’s Greatest of All Time Artists. From childhood prodigy in Hawaii to global superstar, Bruno Mars continues to shape the sound of modern pop with timeless flair.