Bruno Mars: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Peter Gene Hernandez grew up onstage in Waikiki impersonating Elvis with his family's revue, then rebuilt that showman's instinct in Los Angeles as a songwriter-for-hire before becoming the biggest retro-pop craftsman of his era. This mix traces the soul, funk and doo-wop lineages he openly mines, the Hawaiian roots underneath them, and the artists now working his revivalist playbook.

The Kynda mix for Bruno Mars

• Key Influence · Off the Wall by Michael Jackson (1979). Mars has repeatedly named Michael Jackson as the reason he performs, and the Quincy Jones-produced Off the Wall is the template: disco-funk grooves built for a dancer, a tenor that flips to falsetto mid-phrase, ballads sequenced against floor-fillers. The choreography-first staging of Mars's 24K Magic tour and his Super Bowl halftime show descend directly from Jackson's fusion of singing and footwork. .reason, 1979. ★ 0001 , . , . . , . , . . , . . , . . , . . , . , , . - . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
• Influencia Obscura · The New Zapp IV U by Zapp (1985). Roger Troutman's talkbox-saturated Dayton funk is the sonic secret of the 24K Magic era. 'Finesse' and the title track lean on exactly the squelching synth-bass, clipped guitar and vocoder-processed hooks Zapp perfected, a sound most pop listeners know only secondhand through G-funk sampling. Mars and Shampoo Press & Curl reconstructed it with period gear rather than sampling it.
• Local Roots · Facing Future by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole (1993). Mars was raised in Honolulu in a performing family that worked the Waikiki circuit, the same local music economy that produced Israel Kamakawiwoʻole. Facing Future is the best-selling Hawaiian album ever made, and its blend of island tradition with pop balladry defines the environment Mars absorbed before relocating to Los Angeles at eighteen. He has consistently framed Hawaii as the source of his stage education.
• Beyond the Medium · Blue Hawaii by Norman Taurog (1961). Mars's first fame came as a toddler Elvis impersonator in Honolulu, and Blue Hawaii is the film that permanently welded Presley to the islands, pink Cadillacs, leis and all. The movie's version of Elvis, a tanned entertainer singing to tourists, is literally the character Mars played in Waikiki showrooms and later in a cameo in Honeymoon in Vegas. His pompadour-and-shades iconography starts here.
• Peer · The 20/20 Experience by Justin Timberlake (2013). Timberlake occupied the same lane a half-generation earlier: a pop singer with dancer's training rebuilding himself through live-band soul and Timbaland's production. The 20/20 Experience, with its long-form arrangements and horn-driven retro suites, landed between Unorthodox Jukebox and 24K Magic and competed for the same audience and the same Grammy categories.
• From the Canon · Doo-Wops & Hooligans by Bruno Mars (2010). The debut explains the career's starting position: a songwriter-for-hire stepping forward, with 'Just the Way You Are' and 'Grenade' showcasing the ballad craft he had been selling to others, and the reggae-tinged 'The Lazy Song' betraying Honolulu. It is deliberately modest in production, the record of a writer proving he could carry his own hooks before he committed to full-band funk revivalism.
• Key Collaborator · Uptown Special by Mark Ronson (2015). Ronson and Mars built 'Uptown Funk!' over months of jamming, reportedly through scrapped takes and studio exhaustion, and the result spent fourteen weeks atop the Hot 100 and won Record of the Year. Ronson's album around it, with Jeff Bhasker and Mystikal, shows the crate-digging producer's instinct for live-band funk that made the partnership work and pushed Mars toward 24K Magic.
• Legacy · Jaguar II by Victoria Monét (2023). Monét's Grammy-winning record applies the same methodology Mars normalized: live horns, period-accurate funk and quiet-storm arrangements played rather than sampled, with 'On My Mama' and 'Smoke' reconstructing specific decades. Her rise as a songwriter-for-hire turned artist mirrors his path, and the commercial space for meticulous retro-soul in the 2020s is one Mars and Silk Sonic reopened.

What influenced Bruno Mars

• Michael Jackson. The article explicitly calls Jackson an inspiration to Mars. (also via Off the Wall) “Mars also impersonated Michael Jackson (another inspiration), [ 4 ] and hip-hop songs by The Neptunes and Timbaland which were played on the radio influenced him.” (Wikipedia)
• Rauw Alejandro by Rauw Alejandro. Univision reports Alejandro’s wish to collaborate with Mars; the fetched text does not establish a specific musical influence. “RAUW ALEJANDRO quiere colaborar con BRUNO MARS y confiesa estar enamorado de ROSALÍA” (Univision)
• Blue Hawaii by Norman Taurog (1961). Blue Hawaii (Norman Taurog) — culture for Bruno Mars “Some of Presley's most famous films included Jailhouse Rock (1957), Blue Hawaii (1961), and Viva Las Vegas (1964).” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Prince (1958). Mars says he studies Prince's approach to performance. (also via Sign o' the Times) “You can say the same thing for Prince or The Police . It's just guys who know that people are here to see a show, so I watch those guys and I love studying them because I'm a fan.” (Wikipedia)
• James Brown (1933). James Brown inspired Mars's stage footwork. (also via Live at the Apollo) “The shows contained all-band dancing arrangements, including Mars's footwork inspired by James Brown and the splits .” (Wikipedia)
• Elvis Presley. Mars names Presley as a performer he studies. “I'm a big fan of 1950s Elvis when he would go on stage and scare people because he was a force and girls would go nuts! You can say the same thing for Prince or The Police . It's just guys who know that people are here to see a show, so …” (Wikipedia)
• Cody Chesnutt. Cody Chesnutt is named as an influence on Mars's songwriting. “Hip-hop acts like Jay-Z , the Roots and Cody Chesnutt were favorites, influencing his songwriting.” (Wikipedia)
• The Roots (1987). The Roots are named as an influence on Mars's songwriting. “Hip-hop acts like Jay-Z , the Roots and Cody Chesnutt were favorites, influencing his songwriting.” (Wikipedia)
• Sly Stone. Sly Stone is listed among Mars's inspirations. “Other inspirations include Janet Jackson , [ 174 ] Jimi Hendrix , [ 170 ] [ 175 ] Amy Winehouse , [ 176 ] Sly Stone , Carlos Santana , George Clinton , and Usher .” (Wikipedia)
• Tina Turner (1957). Mars identifies Turner's natural, confident dancing as an influence. “Regarding his dancing influences, Mars explained "anybody that was natural", including Tina Turner as she had the confidence of doing what she felt at the moment.” (Wikipedia)
• The Neptunes. Radio play of the Neptunes' songs influenced Mars. “Mars also impersonated Michael Jackson (another inspiration), [ 4 ] and hip-hop songs by The Neptunes and Timbaland which were played on the radio influenced him.” (Wikipedia)
• Little Richard (1932). His father's performances of Little Richard's music inspired Mars. “His mother was a singer and a dancer and his father performed Little Richard 's music, which inspired him as a young child.” (Wikipedia)
• Amy Winehouse. Amy Winehouse is listed among Mars's inspirations. “Other inspirations include Janet Jackson , [ 174 ] Jimi Hendrix , [ 170 ] [ 175 ] Amy Winehouse , [ 176 ] Sly Stone , Carlos Santana , George Clinton , and Usher .” (Wikipedia)
• Jay-Z. Jay-Z is named as an influence on Mars's songwriting. “Hip-hop acts like Jay-Z , the Roots and Cody Chesnutt were favorites, influencing his songwriting.” (Wikipedia)
• Keith Sweat. The article names Keith Sweat as an influence on Mars. “Mars's musical style initially gravitated towards R&B , and he was influenced by Keith Sweat , Jodeci , and R. Kelly .” (Wikipedia)
• Off the Wall by Michael Jackson (1979). Off the Wall (Michael Jackson) — titan for Bruno Mars “His uncle, an Elvis impersonator, encouraged the three-year-old Mars to perform songs by Presley and Michael Jackson.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Usher. Usher is listed among Mars's inspirations. “Other inspirations include Janet Jackson , [ 174 ] Jimi Hendrix , [ 170 ] [ 175 ] Amy Winehouse , [ 176 ] Sly Stone , Carlos Santana , George Clinton , and Usher .” (Wikipedia)
• Timbaland. Radio play of Timbaland's songs influenced Mars. “Mars also impersonated Michael Jackson (another inspiration), [ 4 ] and hip-hop songs by The Neptunes and Timbaland which were played on the radio influenced him.” (Wikipedia)
• Janet Jackson (1966). Janet Jackson is listed among Mars's inspirations. “Other inspirations include Janet Jackson , [ 174 ] Jimi Hendrix , [ 170 ] [ 175 ] Amy Winehouse , [ 176 ] Sly Stone , Carlos Santana , George Clinton , and Usher .” (Wikipedia)
• Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix inspired Mars to begin playing guitar. “Mars began playing guitar, inspired by American rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix .” (Wikipedia)
• Jackie Wilson. Jackie Wilson is included among Mars's dancing influences. “Others included Jackson, Prince and Jackie Wilson as "there was a confidence born of the assurance of knowing what they look like onstage."” (Wikipedia)
• The Police. Mars says he studies the Police's approach to performance. “You can say the same thing for Prince or The Police . It's just guys who know that people are here to see a show, so I watch those guys and I love studying them because I'm a fan.” (Wikipedia)
• R. Kelly. The article names R. Kelly as an influence on Mars. “Mars's musical style initially gravitated towards R&B , and he was influenced by Keith Sweat , Jodeci , and R. Kelly .” (Wikipedia)
• The New Zapp IV U by Zapp (1985). The New Zapp IV U (Zapp) — ghost for Bruno Mars “In 2017, Lastrada Entertainment filed a lawsuit due to similarities with "More Bounce to the Ounce" (1980) by Zapp.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Carlos Santana. Carlos Santana is listed among Mars's inspirations. “Other inspirations include Janet Jackson , [ 174 ] Jimi Hendrix , [ 170 ] [ 175 ] Amy Winehouse , [ 176 ] Sly Stone , Carlos Santana , George Clinton , and Usher .” (Wikipedia)
• Jodeci. The article names Jodeci as an influence on Mars. “Mars's musical style initially gravitated towards R&B , and he was influenced by Keith Sweat , Jodeci , and R. Kelly .” (Wikipedia)
• George Clinton. George Clinton is listed among Mars's inspirations. “Other inspirations include Janet Jackson , [ 174 ] Jimi Hendrix , [ 170 ] [ 175 ] Amy Winehouse , [ 176 ] Sly Stone , Carlos Santana , George Clinton , and Usher .” (Wikipedia)
• Bob Marley. The article links Marley's music to Mars's reggae roots. “Bob Marley and local bands in Hawaii gave Mars his reggae roots.” (Wikipedia)
• Sign o' the Times by Prince (1987). Sign o' the Times (Prince) — titan for Bruno Mars “You can say the same thing for Prince or The Police.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Word Up! by Cameo. Word Up! (Cameo) — ghost for Bruno Mars (musicbrainz.org)
• Live at the Apollo by James Brown (1963). Live at the Apollo (James Brown) — titan for Bruno Mars “Jim Farber of the Daily News said Mars's Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show "[brought] old-school showmanship to [a] dynamic performance." Mars played videotapes of Elvis, James Brown and Jackson when he was younger.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Last Dragon by Michael Schultz (1985). The Last Dragon (Michael Schultz) — culture for Bruno Mars (themoviedb.org)
• Singin' in the Rain by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly (1952). Singin' in the Rain (Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly) — culture for Bruno Mars

Peers and kindred spirits

• Lady Gaga by Lady Gaga (1986). Mars and Lady Gaga released a single together. “Lady Gaga and Mars released their single, " Die with a Smile ", on August 16, 2024.” (Wikipedia)
• Mark Ronson by Mark Ronson. Ronson recalls discussing the title of “Uptown Funk” with Mars. “But I remember saying to Bruno, “Can we really put ‘Funk’ in a thing in 2014?” He was like, “Yo, we’ve got to own it.”” (SPIN)
• Rosé. Mars and Rosé released “APT.” together. “But truthfully, it was Rosie's voice, it was her saying this hook that just had this magic to it. And after talking to her it became, 'Let's build on this, let's figure this puzzle out.'” (Billboard)
• Malibu by Anderson .Paak (2016). Malibu (Anderson .Paak) — collaborator for Bruno Mars “In 2021, Mars released An Evening with Silk Sonic alongside Anderson .Paak, as the musical superduo Silk Sonic.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Lady Killer by CeeLo Green (2010). The Lady Killer (CeeLo Green) — peer for Bruno Mars “It peaked at number 99 on the US Billboard 200, and a music video was released for "The Other Side" with singer CeeLo Green and B.o.B.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Janelle Monáe (1985). Monáe performed with Mars. “Monáe performed at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2011 alongside artists Bruno Mars and B.o.B ; they performed the synth section of B.o.B's song "Nothin' on You" and she then performed the track "Cold War" with B.o.B on the guitar and …” (Wikipedia)
• B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray by B.o.B (2010). B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray (B.o.B) — collaborator for Bruno Mars “He rose to fame as a recording artist after featuring on the US number-one single "Nothin' on You" (2009) by B.o.B.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Die with a Smile. Die with a Smile is a Gaga–Bruno Mars duet. “Gaga released the single " Die with a Smile ", a duet with Bruno Mars , on August 16, 2024.” (Wikipedia)
• Uptown Special by Mark Ronson (2015). Uptown Special (Mark Ronson) — collaborator for Bruno Mars “He also featured on Mark Ronson's 2014 single "Uptown Funk", which became Billboard's best-performing song of the 2010s.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• David Guetta (1967). Guetta remixed Bruno Mars's 'Versace on the Floor'. (via Versace on the Floor) “The end on the month saw Guetta release a remix version of " Versace on the Floor " by Bruno Mars and served as the third single from Mars's highly successful album 24K Magic .” (Wikipedia)
• Tiny Bubbles by Don Ho (1966). Tiny Bubbles (Don Ho) — geography for Bruno Mars (musicbrainz.org)
• G I R L by Pharrell Williams (2014). G I R L (Pharrell Williams) — peer for Bruno Mars (musicbrainz.org)
• The 20/20 Experience by Justin Timberlake (2013). The 20/20 Experience (Justin Timberlake) — peer for Bruno Mars (musicbrainz.org)
• Facing Future by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole (1993). Facing Future (Israel Kamakawiwoʻole) — geography for Bruno Mars (musicbrainz.org)
• Brushfire Fairytales by Jack Johnson (2001). Brushfire Fairytales (Jack Johnson) — geography for Bruno Mars (musicbrainz.org)
• Beyoncé. Bruno Mars — Contemporary (Adjacent performer) for Beyoncé · hand-labeled by Tony Brancato, 2022

Who Bruno Mars influenced

• Victoria Monét by Victoria Monét. The article states that Mars's music and showmanship inspired Victoria Monét. (also via Jaguar II) “His music and showmanship have inspired AJ Mitchell , [ 328 ] Benny Dayal , [ 329 ] Dua Lipa , [ 330 ] KiDi , [ 331 ] Lee Brice , [ 332 ] Lucky Daye , [ 333 ] Meghan Trainor , [ 334 ] Rauw Alejandro , [ 335 ] Selena Gomez , [ 336 ] Shawn…” (Wikipedia)
• Lucky Daye by Lucky Daye (1985). The article states that Mars's music and showmanship inspired Lucky Daye. (also via That's You, Painted) “His music and showmanship have inspired AJ Mitchell , [ 328 ] Benny Dayal , [ 329 ] Dua Lipa , [ 330 ] KiDi , [ 331 ] Lee Brice , [ 332 ] Lucky Daye , [ 333 ] Meghan Trainor , [ 334 ] Rauw Alejandro , [ 335 ] Selena Gomez , [ 336 ] Shawn…” (Wikipedia)
• Meghan Trainor by Meghan Trainor. The article states that Mars's music and showmanship inspired Meghan Trainor. “His music and showmanship have inspired AJ Mitchell , [ 328 ] Benny Dayal , [ 329 ] Dua Lipa , [ 330 ] KiDi , [ 331 ] Lee Brice , [ 332 ] Lucky Daye , [ 333 ] Meghan Trainor , [ 334 ] Rauw Alejandro , [ 335 ] Selena Gomez , [ 336 ] Shawn…” (Wikipedia)
• Thomas Rhett by Thomas Rhett. The article states that Mars's music and showmanship inspired Thomas Rhett. “His music and showmanship have inspired AJ Mitchell , [ 328 ] Benny Dayal , [ 329 ] Dua Lipa , [ 330 ] KiDi , [ 331 ] Lee Brice , [ 332 ] Lucky Daye , [ 333 ] Meghan Trainor , [ 334 ] Rauw Alejandro , [ 335 ] Selena Gomez , [ 336 ] Shawn…” (Wikipedia)
• Painted by Lucky Daye. Painted (Lucky Daye) — legacy for Bruno Mars “His music and showmanship have inspired AJ Mitchell, Benny Dayal, Dua Lipa, KiDi, Lee Brice, Lucky Daye, Meghan Trainor, Rauw Alejandro, Selena Gomez, Shawn Mendes, Thomas Rhett, and Victoria Monét.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Benny Dayal. The article states that Mars's music and showmanship inspired Benny Dayal. “His music and showmanship have inspired AJ Mitchell , [ 328 ] Benny Dayal , [ 329 ] Dua Lipa , [ 330 ] KiDi , [ 331 ] Lee Brice , [ 332 ] Lucky Daye , [ 333 ] Meghan Trainor , [ 334 ] Rauw Alejandro , [ 335 ] Selena Gomez , [ 336 ] Shawn…” (Wikipedia)
• AJ Mitchell. The article states that Mars's music and showmanship inspired AJ Mitchell. “His music and showmanship have inspired AJ Mitchell , [ 328 ] Benny Dayal , [ 329 ] Dua Lipa , [ 330 ] KiDi , [ 331 ] Lee Brice , [ 332 ] Lucky Daye , [ 333 ] Meghan Trainor , [ 334 ] Rauw Alejandro , [ 335 ] Selena Gomez , [ 336 ] Shawn…” (Wikipedia)
• Dua Lipa. The article states that Mars's music and showmanship inspired Dua Lipa. “His music and showmanship have inspired AJ Mitchell , [ 328 ] Benny Dayal , [ 329 ] Dua Lipa , [ 330 ] KiDi , [ 331 ] Lee Brice , [ 332 ] Lucky Daye , [ 333 ] Meghan Trainor , [ 334 ] Rauw Alejandro , [ 335 ] Selena Gomez , [ 336 ] Shawn…” (Wikipedia)
• Shawn Mendes. The article states that Mars's music and showmanship inspired Shawn Mendes. “His music and showmanship have inspired AJ Mitchell , [ 328 ] Benny Dayal , [ 329 ] Dua Lipa , [ 330 ] KiDi , [ 331 ] Lee Brice , [ 332 ] Lucky Daye , [ 333 ] Meghan Trainor , [ 334 ] Rauw Alejandro , [ 335 ] Selena Gomez , [ 336 ] Shawn…” (Wikipedia)
• Lee Brice. The article states that Mars's music and showmanship inspired Lee Brice. “His music and showmanship have inspired AJ Mitchell , [ 328 ] Benny Dayal , [ 329 ] Dua Lipa , [ 330 ] KiDi , [ 331 ] Lee Brice , [ 332 ] Lucky Daye , [ 333 ] Meghan Trainor , [ 334 ] Rauw Alejandro , [ 335 ] Selena Gomez , [ 336 ] Shawn…” (Wikipedia)
• Jaguar II by Victoria Monét (2023). Jaguar II (Victoria Monét) — legacy for Bruno Mars “His music and showmanship have inspired AJ Mitchell, Benny Dayal, Dua Lipa, KiDi, Lee Brice, Lucky Daye, Meghan Trainor, Rauw Alejandro, Selena Gomez, Shawn Mendes, Thomas Rhett, and Victoria Monét.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• KiDi. The article states that Mars's music and showmanship inspired KiDi. “His music and showmanship have inspired AJ Mitchell , [ 328 ] Benny Dayal , [ 329 ] Dua Lipa , [ 330 ] KiDi , [ 331 ] Lee Brice , [ 332 ] Lucky Daye , [ 333 ] Meghan Trainor , [ 334 ] Rauw Alejandro , [ 335 ] Selena Gomez , [ 336 ] Shawn…” (Wikipedia)
• Selena Gomez (2002). The article states that Mars's music and showmanship inspired Selena Gomez. “His music and showmanship have inspired AJ Mitchell , [ 328 ] Benny Dayal , [ 329 ] Dua Lipa , [ 330 ] KiDi , [ 331 ] Lee Brice , [ 332 ] Lucky Daye , [ 333 ] Meghan Trainor , [ 334 ] Rauw Alejandro , [ 335 ] Selena Gomez , [ 336 ] Shawn…” (Wikipedia)