Bruno Mars Covers ‘Latina’/ Talks Heritage & Making Black Music

Published: Monday 30th Jan 2017 by Sam

Bruno Mars appears to have mastered the art of being omnipresent and illusive all at once.

Indeed, for as much of a resident as he is in the upper echelon of the charts, he evades controversy and tabloid columns with wizard-like precision.

He isn’t one to shy away from tricky topics, though, as is apparent in the latest issue of Latina Magazine.

Born to a Filipina/Spanish mom and Puerto Rican/Jewish father, Mars is more than aware of the response to the ambiguity of his look, sound, and stage name.

In this intriguing feature interview, he skilfully and candidly addresses some of the critique levelled his way.

Bruno, in his own words, below…

On Making “Black” Music:

“When you say ‘black music,’ understand that you are talking about rock, jazz, R&B, reggae, funk, doo-wop, hip-hop, and Motown. Black people created it all. Being Puerto Rican, even salsa music stems back to the Motherland [Africa]. So, in my world, black music means everything. It’s what gives America its swag. I’m a child raised in the ‘90s. Pop music was heavily rooted in R&B from Whitney, Diddy, Dr. Dre, Boyz II Men, Aaliyah, TLC, Babyface, New Edition, Michael, and so much more. As kids this is what was playing on MTV and the radio. This is what we were dancing to at school functions and BBQs. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for these artists who inspired me. They have brought me so much joy and created the soundtrack to my life filled with memories that I’ll never forget. Most importantly, they were the superstars that set the bar for me and showed me what it takes to sing a song that can get the whole world dancing, or give a performance that people will talk about forever. Watching them made me feel like I had to be as great as they were in order to even stand a chance in this music business. You gotta sing as if Jodeci is performing after you and dance as if Bobby Brown is coming up next.”

On Claims He Tries To Hide His Heritage:

“I’d love to clear that up in Latina magazine,” he says, raising his voice. “I never once said I changed my last name to hide the fact that I’m Puerto Rican. Why would I fucking say that? Who are you fooling? And why would anyone say that? That’s so insulting to me, to my family. That’s ridiculous. My last name is Hernandez. My father’s name is Pedrito Hernandez, and he’s a Puerto Rican pimp. There’s no denying that. My dad nicknamed me Bruno since I was 2 years old. The real story is: I was going to go by ‘Bruno,’ one name. Mars just kind of came joking around because that sounds bigger than life. That was it, simple as that. I see people that don’t know what I am, and it’s so weird that it gets them upset. It’s an oxymoron—the music business; like the art business. You’re making a business out of these songs that I’m writing. And how are you going to tell me that this song that I’m writing is only going to be catered to Puerto Ricans or to white people or only Asian people. How are you going to tell me that? My music is for anybody who wants to listen to it.”

On Whether Losing His Mother Changed His Music:

“I don’t know how to answer that question. My life has changed. She’s more than my music. If I could trade music to have her back, I would. I always hear her say, ‘Keep going and keep doing it.’”

The full feature can be read here.

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Much respect to Bruno for giving respect to those who paved the lane he plays in.

It’s noteworthy because so many artists act aloof when it comes to those whose careers allowed theirs to exist. So, once again, kudos to Mr. Mars.

Your thoughts?

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  1. dee January 30, 2017

    I’m curious on the delay of releasing the second single?

    • Skyfall January 30, 2017

      It was released to radio today.

    • ? + ✈ = ? January 30, 2017

      Whitney, Diddy, Dr. Dre, Boyz II Men, Aaliyah, TLC, Babyface, New Edition, Michael I salute you Bruno for paying homage to all these greats.

    • boss January 31, 2017

      Umm errr who cares! Meh with his boring interviews and marginal singing

  2. Skyfall January 30, 2017

    Yasss, Love him and I’m here for acknowledging black music

    • Jj January 31, 2017

      So we are all going to act like Puerto Ricans dont have a dash of African flavor in most? I’m Afro-Latino. No need to have asked Bruno about “black music”. We can spot our people even its just a hint of African ancestry.

  3. Fancy BISH January 30, 2017

    “You gotta sing as if Jodeci is performing after you and dance as if Bobby Brown is coming up next.” -Bruno Mars
    Yaaaaaaaaaaaas

  4. Xtina 1983 January 30, 2017

    Well we do have to thank xtina for starting the trend with back to basics album. She thanked those who paved the way also with is black poeple.

    • Mark111 /.\ January 30, 2017

      ???

  5. BOOBIE January 30, 2017

    ??? Bae asf

  6. Mark111 /.\ January 30, 2017

    I don’t see him as Latino, I see him as an Hawaiian. It doesn’t matter, he’s brown and make great Black/pop music.

    • S****** Blonde January 31, 2017

      He’s both, that’s the thing with Latinos, they can be from every part of the world, as long as there is a linguistic and cultural connection to Latin America

  7. Weezy Tha Goat January 30, 2017

    Bruno isn’t lying about Black people creating ALL the genres.

  8. Coolnesss January 31, 2017

    I may not be the biggest fan of his music (I LOVE his performances tho) but I appreciate him for his comments on the influence Black artists have had on him. You won’t believe how many other non-Black artists who dabble in Black genres wouldn’t have given an answer this truthful. Many of them try to pull that whole music is universal b******* while ignoring the fact that them not being Black actually gives them an advantage – especially on today’s age with all the white-washing that’s going on.

  9. MusicFan103 January 31, 2017

    It has sort of been a missing fact of him. You as fans had to search to know what he was. I originally thought he was only asian until I looked and saw his last name was Hernandez and about his father.

    It is always nice to show props to 90s music which was epic all around, ever single genre, but yes Hip Hop and R&B music was extremely popular back then. I miss that genre for those genres and the Pop, Dance, Alternative, etc. music too. I loved how eclectic music was back then when you listened to a Top 40s station you heard it ALL!

    The new Bruno album is very Funk, Soul, R&B based, and it works well for him and his style/vibe/artistry.

  10. Belladonna January 31, 2017

    70% of the music I like is Pop or Rock but most people think when I say that it means I only like white artist but the ICONS I look up to are MJ & Lenny Kravitz they make music I relate to. Artist like Blockparty will always influence my own music I’m working on & I lived for JLS in the UK before they retired. Not all black people can & will like R&B & Hip hop but that doesn’t mean there not black..

  11. Now time yca ritish wauyzbi February 1, 2017

    Nice

  12. DEBORAH JACKSON January 1, 2018

    BRUNO MARS IS THE BEST THING NEXT TO APPLE PIE ???!! HES SO HANDSOME AS WELL AS GIFTED WITH SO MUCH TALENT??????!!

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