Peter Gene Hernandez was born on 8 October 1985 in Hawaii but performs under the name Bruno Mars. Before Bruno Mars broke through as a singer, Mars mainly produced songs for other artists. He has collaborated with Brandy, Flo Rida, Sean Kingston, Alexandra Burke and Adam Levine.
Even the biggest cynic will admit that Bruno Mars is a great singer, a good producer and a clever songwriter. Mars does not use his extensive talent to break new ground or create groundbreaking music. He wants to score hits and does so with some regularity.
Top 2000
In the 23rd edition of the Top 2000, Bruno is listed as follows:
Sunday Morning Classic
On 4 December 2022, Unorthodox Jukebox (07-12-2012), Bruno's second studio album, was played on our turntable as a Sunday Morning Classic.
Radio music? Hit machine? Overproduced pop music? It really doesn't matter. Bruno Mars has one important thing: Soul with a capital S. And that is a rare thing nowadays. When listening to his album Unorthodox Jukebox, two names immediately come to mind: Michael Jackson and Prince. Why? Perhaps because Bruno’s voice is close to that of the young Michael and Prince because he can mix different styles and maintain one sound. This album clearly shows that Mars is a music lover. He knows how to evoke the feeling of The Jackson 5, The Police and Bob Marley and make them sound like a tribute rather than a rip-off. The digital mix era is audible; everything fits and everything is perfectly thought out. Nothing is left to chance. Everything sounds pleasant to the ears and the album is always enjoyable to listen to. As the son of a percussionist and talented singer, it is clear that music runs through his veins.
Critics compare his music to Donna Summer, Sam Cooke and, of course, his idol Michael Jackson. The first two singles 'Locked Out Of Heaven' and 'When I Was Your Man' reached the top spot in the American charts. In three years, he has already had five American number 1 hits to his name. Since Elvis Presley, it has not happened that an artist needed so little time for so many number 1 hits. 'Treasure' is the third single, and here too the influence of Motown on Bruno Mars is clearly audible.
Although there is nothing unorthodox about this record, it sounds like a collection of hit singles from different artists. Mars doesn't need to cover anyone because he effortlessly makes every style his own.
The album won the Grammy Award for Best Album.
Source: NPO and various sites Photo: Brothers Le and LXT Production
