Pop Music in Mexico
Everywhere you go around Mexico you’ll hear the sound of Bruno Mars. Both young and old are enjoying his rhythms and songs.
Bruno Mars was born Peter Gene Hernandez on October 8, 1985, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Like many other Americans, he is of mixed ethnic heritage. His father is half Puerto Rican and half Jewish and is originally from Brooklyn, New York. His mother immigrated to Hawaii from the Philippines as a child and is of Filipino and some Spanish descent. His father nicknamed him “Bruno” because of his resemblance to legendary professional wrestler Bruno Sammartino.
Mars Comes from a Musical Family
Mars was one of six children and came from a musical family who exposed him to a diverse mix of reggae, rock, hip-hop, and R&B. Everybody in his family sang and played instruments and Bruno grew up performing in his father’s band. At the age of 17, after graduating from high school, Bruno moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a musical career. He added the last name of “Mars” to give some pizzazz to his stage name and because girls called him “out of this world.”
He Started as a Music Producer
Before becoming a successful solo artist, Mars was an acknowledged music producer, writing songs for Alexandra Burke, Travie McCoy, Adam Levine, Brandy, Sean Kingston, and Flo Rida. 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.
Mars Became a Solo Artist in 2010
Bruno Mars’ debut album, “Doo-Wops & Hooligans”, was released in October 2010, producing hits such as “Just the Way You Are” that reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 as well as several other charts worldwide. The second single, “Grenade”, was also successful on international charts. Mars’ second album called “Unorthodox Jukebox” was released in December 2012 with hits like “Locked Out of Heaven”. In the United States, the album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. The album also charted number one album in Switzerland and in the United Kingdom, he became the fastest selling album by a recording artist in 2012.
