Featured Artist of September 2011: Bruno Mars

Mars is a multitalented singer, songwriter, producer and musician who feels most at home when he’s performing. Born to a musical family in Honolulu, Hawaii, he was practically raised on the stage. His father, a Latin percussionist from Brooklyn, organized a Vegas-style revue that featured the entire family, including his mother, a talented vocalist.

Before becoming a successful solo artist, Hernandez was an acknowledged music producer, writing songs for Alexandra Burke, 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’ debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, was released on October 4. The lead single, “Just the Way You Are”, was released on July 19, 2010,and has reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 as well as several other charts worldwide. The second single, “Grenade”, was released September 28, 2010, and has also seen successful international chart performance.