Bruno Mars’ “Grenade” Video Hits 1 Billion Views Mark on YouTube

Posted on March 10, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a slow blow up for one of Bruno Mars‘ original hits…

The 35-year-old half-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer/songwriter’s music video for “Grenade” has reached 1 billion views on YouTube a decade after its 2010 release.

It’s now Mars’ sixth music video to have reached this milestone, following “Just the Way You Are” (1.5 billion views, 2010), “The Lazy Song“ (2 billion views, 2011), “Uptown Funk“ with Mark Ronson (4 billion views, 2014), “24K Magic“ (1.3 billion views, 2016), and “That’s What I Like“ (1.8 billion views, 2017).

Released as the second single to Mars’ 2010 debut studio album Doo-Wops & Hooligans, “Grenade” earned the singer his third Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit. It was nominated for record of the year, song of the year and best pop solo performance at the 2012 Grammy Awards, and “Grenade” was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) last October.

In the visual, Mars depicts the unrequited love he has for his girlfriend by lugging a piano through Los Angeles as a sign of the lengths he would go to for her, only to find her at home with another man, leaving him devastated.

The video’s new feat after his partnership with Anderson .Paak as Silk Sonic and the band’s inaugural release, “Leave the Door Open,” on March 5.

The Recording Academy has left the performance lineup open for these two past Grammy winners to join them for the 63rd annual Grammy Awards this Sunday.

Cardi B Makes History as Her Latest Single “I Like It” Rises to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100

Posted on July 3, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Cardi B is making history…

The 25-year-old half-Dominican American rapper has become the first female rapper with two No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100, after her hit single “I Like It,” featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin rises from No. 2 to No. 1 on chart.

Cardi B first reigned with her debut single, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves),” for three weeks beginning October 7, 2017.

Meanwhile, Bad Bunny and Balvin earn their first Hot 100 No. 1 each.

Cardi B passes four female rappers who previously topped the tally with one No. 1 apiece: Lauryn Hill, with “Doo Wop (That Thing),” in 1998; Lil’ Kim, with “Lady Marmalade,” with Christina Aguilera, Mya and P!nk (2001); Shawnna, as featured on Ludacris‘ “Stand Up” (2003); and, Iggy Azalea, with “Fancy,” featuring Charli XCX (2014).

Cardi B’s bilingual track reworks the venerable “I Like It Like That,” originally performed by Pete Rodriguez in 1967 and taken to No. 25 on the Hot 100 in 1997 (titled “I Like It”) by The Blackout Allstars; the latter act included Tito Nieves, who also recorded a notable solo version. (In between, the composition appeared in the 1994 film I Like It Like That and earned a synch in a 1996 Burger King commercial.)

“I Like It” is from Cardi B’s debut album, Invasion of Privacy, which launched atop the Billboard 200 chart dated on April 4 and includes “Bodak Yellow.”

Cardi B is the first artist to notch a pair of Hot 100 No. 1s from a debut album since Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, whose The Heist yielded “Thrift Shop,” featuring Wanz and “Can’t Hold Us,” featuring Ray Dalton in 2013.

Cardi B is the first soloist with a pair Hot 100 leaders from a debut LP since Bruno Mars, whose Doo-Wops & Hooligans produced “Just the Way You Are” (2010) and “Grenade” (2011).

And, Cardi B is the first female soloist with two Hot 100 No. 1s from a debut album this decade, and the first since Lady Gaga, whose The Fame generated “Just Dance,” featuring Colby O’Donis and “Poker Face,” both in 2009.

Prior to “I Like It,” Bad Bunny reached a No. 36 Hot 100 high with “Te Bote,” with Casper Magico, Nio Garcia, Darell, Nicky Jam and Ozuna.

J Balvin notched a prior No. 3 best with “Mi Gente,” with Willy William and featuring Beyoncé, last October.

“I Like It” concurrently takes over atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where Cardi B previously led with “Bodak Yellow,” for six weeks, and “Finesse” (one). It becomes her second No. 1 on Hot Rap Songs, after “Bodak Yellow” (eight). Bad Bunny and J Balvin lead each list for the first time.

Mars Earns Sixth Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 with “Uptown Funk!”

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a chart-topping start of the New Year for Bruno Mars…

The 29-year-old’s collaboration with Mark Ronson‘s, “Uptown Funk!,” has reached the summit on the Billboard 100 chart, rising 2-1 on the first chart released in 2015.

The song replaces Taylor Swift‘s “Blank Space” after seven weeks at the helm.

“Uptown Funk!,” released via RCA Records, earns Mars his sixth Hot 100 No. 1 and second as a featured artist: he previously reigned as a guest in his first appearance, on B.o.B‘s “Nothin’ on You” in 2010. In between, he led with his own tracks “Just the Way You Are” (four weeks, 2010), “Grenade” (four, 2011), “Locked Out of Heaven” and “When I Was Your Man” (one, 2013).

Among male soloists in the Hot 100’s 56-year history, only nine boast more No. 1s than Mars. Michael Jackson leads with 13, followed by Stevie Wonder (10), Elton John, Paul McCartney, Usher (nine each), George Michael (eight), Phil Collins, Frankie Valli and Elvis Presley (seven each; note that Presley’s career predated the Hot 100’s 1958 launch by two years).

“Uptown Funk!,” the 1,041st Hot 100 No. 1 of all-time, reaches the summit with the majority (65 percent) of its chart activity from sales, as it rebounds 2-1 for a second week atop the Digital Songs chart with 382,000 downloads sold (down 12 percent) in the week ending Jan. 4, according to Nielsen Music.

“Uptown Funk!” pushes 4-2 on the Streaming Songs charts with a 14 percent surge to 10 million U.S. streams. On Radio Songs, it rises 10-9 with an 11 percent increase to 76 million in all-format audience.

“Funk!” previews Ronson’s album Uptown Special, due Tuesday (January 13).

“It’s definitely one of the best things I’ve ever done,” Ronson says of his new Hot 100 leader. “And, I know that it’s one of Bruno’s favorite things that he’s ever done, as well.”

Carey Atop Time Magazine’s ‘Ultimate Pop Stardom’ List

Posted on August 31, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Mariah Carey is the ultimate pop star…

The 44-year-old half-Venezuelan American singe ranks at the top of Time magazine’s The Ultimate Ranking of Pop Stardom list of artists/musicians when it comes to generating hit songs.

The artists were chosen for this list based on their all-time chart performance and their contemporary significance.

Time looked at every song that’s been in the Billboard Top 10 since 1960, the number of hits by each artist present on that list, and how long those musicians’ careers have lasted, and used that information to determine which artists are ultimately the most successful pop-hit generators.

Carey – who stormed onto the music scene with her self-titled debut album in 1990, which landed four No. 1 songs on Billboard Hot 100 and earned her Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance honors at the 1991 Grammy Awards, tops the list with 1,901 points. Her best years include 2005 (341 points), 1995 (300) and 1993 (222).

Carey – a five-time Grammy winner – ranks ahead of Rihanna (1,800), Usher (1,778), The Beatles (1,537) and Madonna (1,414).

But Carey isn’t the only Latin artist to make the list…

Bruno Mars, who broke onto the scene in 2010, ranks No. 17 on the list with 882 points.

The 28-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer-songwriter earned 410 points in his first year on the charts after lending his vocals to the songs “Nothin’ on You” by B.o.B, and “Billionaire” by Travie McCoy, as well as releasing his first two singles “Just the Way You Are” and “Grenade.”

Meanwhile, Fergie comes in at No. 25 with her Grammy-winning group Black Eyed Peas, earning 733 points.

The 39-year-old part-Mexican singer and female vocalist for the hip hop group and her fellow BEP members registered their biggest point haul in 2009 with their singles “Boom Boom Pow,” “I Gotta Feeling” and “Meet Me Halfway” earning a combined 355 points that year.

The final product is a colorful infographic that proves Michael Jackson had a consistently successful career from 1971 to 1995, while Santana’s career, though long, hasn’t been witness to nearly as many hits.

The artists are awarded points for each song of theirs that made it into the Top 10—for example, Michael Jackson gets 10 points for “Beat It” topping the chart at No. 1 while Taylor Swift gets three points for “Speak Now” peaking at spot No. 8.

Usher had the best single year out of everyone when, in 2004, he racked up 639 points for having five songs in the Top 10 for a combined 88 weeks, while Barbra Streisand made just two points in 1997 for “I Finally Found Someone,” which peaked at No. 9 and only had a one-week stay in the Top 10.

Head over to Time.com to see how other musicians, ranging from Cher to T-Pain, stack up against one another.

Here’s a look at all the Latino artists on the list:

No. 1 Mariah Carey (1,901)
No. 17 Bruno Mars (882),
No. 25 Black Eyed Peas (Fergie)
No. 30 Jennifer Lopez (658)
No. 36 Christina Aguilera (603)
No. 48 Santana (457)

Mars to Reportedly Headline the 2014 Super Bowl Halftime Show

Posted on September 7, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It appears that Bruno Mars will be having a super February…

The 27-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer will reportedly perform at the Super Bowl halftime show in February 2014, according to the Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times.

The National Football League is expected to make an official announcement on Sunday during Fox’s pregame show at noon ET.

Mars, currently on tour promoting his sophomore album Unorthodox Jukebox, would be a strong choice. He’s known for giving high-octane performances at awards shows like the Grammys and MTV VMAs.

His hit songs include “Locked Out of Heaven,” “Grenade,” “Just the Way You Are” and “When I Was Your Man.”

Mars would join Madonna, Beyonce, the Black Eyed Peas with Usher and Slash, The Who and Bruce Springsteen with the E Street Band.

Mars Earns Fifth No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Songs Chart

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Bruno Mars has reached a new milestone on the Billboard charts…

The 27-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer’s “Locked Out of Heaven,” which recently reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 last week, has reached No. 1 on the Pop Songs airplay chart.

“Locked Out of Heaven” becomes Mars’ fifth Pop Songs No. 1, tying him with Nelly and Justin Timberlake for the most leaders among solo males.

Here’s a look at the male soloists with the most No. 1s, dating to the Pop Songs chart’s launch the week of October 3, 1992:

5, Bruno Mars
5, Nelly
5, Justin Timberlake
4, Flo Rida
3, Chris Brown
3, Eminem
3, Ludacris
3, Timbaland
3, Kanye West

Katy Perry and Rihanna lead all artists with nine Pop Songs No. 1s apiece. Five other women have totaled between eight and six leaders each: P!nk (eight), Lady Gaga, Britney Spears (seven each) Beyonce and Mariah Carey (six each). Christina Aguilera and Avril Lavigne, as well as Maroon 5, have also managed five No. 1s each

Mars first ruled Pop Songs as a guest on B.o.B‘s “Nothin’ on You,” which earned the No. 1 ranking on the May 22, 2010 chart. His debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, yielded Mars his first two Pop Songs No. 1s as a lead artist: “Just the Way You Are” and follow-up “Grenade.” He had last led with “It Will Rain,” from the soundtrack to The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1, the week of February 4.

Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven” Reaches No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Recent NAACP Image Award three-time nominee Bruno Mars has locked in on the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100…

The 27-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer’s single, “Locked Out of Heaven” has moved past Rihanna’s “Diamonds” to reach the No. 1 position in it’s 10th week on the chart.

It’s Mars’ fourth chart topper on the Hot 100 since his arrival in the music industry in 2010. His first entry, B.o.B‘s “Nothin’ on You,” on which Mars lent his voice, began a two-week reign the week of May 1, 2010.

His debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, which reached No. 3 in a 112-week (and counting) run on the Billboard 200, yielded Mars two Hot 100 No. 1s as a lead artist: “Just the Way You Are” (four weeks, beginning October 2, 2010) and follow-up “Grenade” (four weeks, starting January 8, 2011).

Mars’ amassing of four Hot 100 No. 1s in the span of just two years, 10 months and one week, dating to the February 13, 2010 arrival of “Nothin’ on You” is the fastest collection of a male artist’s first four No. 1s in 48 years.

Bobby Vinton first entered the Hot 100 with “Roses Are Red (My Love)” the week of June 9, 1962. It became his first No. 1 five weeks later. Vinton then added leaders with “Blue Velvet” (1963), “There! I’ve Said it Again” and “Mr. Lonely” (both in 1964). When “Lonely” lifted 2-1 on the Hot 100 dated Dec. 12, 1964 – 48 years ago this week – Vinton had rung up four No. 1s in a stretch of just two years and six months from his first chart appearance.

“Heaven” ascends to No. 1 on the Hot 100 with top Digital Gainer honors, as the song jumps 5-1 on the Digital Songs chart with 197,000 downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan (marking Mars’ fifth Digital Songs No. 1).

It bullets again at No. 2 on Radio Songs with 129 million audience impressions (up 4%) and holds at No. 5 on On-Demand Songs with 890,000 on-demand streams (up 19%), according to BDS.

“Heaven,” the lead single from Mars’ sophomore album Unorthodox Jukebox, released this week.

Mars Shines Bright at the Grammy Awards…

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He may have come away empty-handed at the 54thGrammy Awards on Sunday… But Bruno Mars still managed to be the night’s golden boy!

The 26-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer took the Grammy stage at Los Angeles’ Staples Center for a high-octane performance of his song “Runaway” during the show.

Singing underneath a marquee emblazoned with his name, Mars—looking dapper in a 24-karat gold bowtie and blazer—helped lift the mood in the arena, which was grieving the death of Whitney Houston.

His performance may have focused on the party, but Mars still managed to show some love for Houston by giving her a shout-out mid-song.

“Yo, tonight we celebrate. We celebrate the beautiful Miss Whitney Houston,” shouted Mars from the stage. “Get off your rich asses and let’s have fun!”

Mars was backed by a full band—complete with a horn section—that paid homage to his love of music from the ’60s.

Mars’ hit song “Grenade” was nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance, while his album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, was up for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.

Mars to Perform at Grammy Awards Show

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

The 54th annual Grammy Awards may be exactly one month away… But Bruno Mars is already making plans for the big show.

The 26-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer/songwriter—who scored six nominations for the 2012 Grammys, including nods in the three top categories—has been officially announced as a performer.

No word on what song Mars will perform, but his hit single “Grenade” is nominated for record of the year honors.

In addition to Mars, the first list of performers named includes Taylor Swift, Foo Fighters, Nicki Minaj, Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson.

More performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks leading up to next month’s ceremony.

The Grammy Awards, which will take place in Los Angeles, will air live onat 8:00 PM EST on Sunday, February 12.

Mars Receives More Grammy Attention!

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

Bruno Mars is apparently one of the Recording Academy’s Grammy golden boys…

After scoring seven nominations last year, the 26-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer/songwriter has scored six nominations for the 54th annual Grammy Awards, including nods in the three top categories.

Mars’ “Grenade” is nominated for record of the year honors—which recognizes performance and production—along with Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” Bon Iver’s “Holocene,” Mumford & Sons’ “The Cave” and Katy Perry’s “Firework.”

In addition, Mars’ I’d-die-for-your-love tune is up for song of the year, along with Kanye West’s “All of the Lights” (featuring Rihanna, Fergie and Kid Cudi), Mumford & Sons’ “The Cave,” Bon Iver’s “Holocene” and Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.”

Meanwhile Mars’ “Doo-Wops and Hooligans” is nominated for album of the year, along with Adele’s “21,” Foo Fighters, “Wasting Light,” Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” and Rihanna’s “Loud.”

Mars also received nominations for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album.

Rap superstar Kanye West led the field with seven nominations, while British soul singer Adele received six nominations.

Other Hispanic musicians and acts receiving nods include Fergie, Christina Aguilera, Calle 13, Maná, Intocable and Pepe Aguilar.

Click here for the complete list of nominees.

The Grammy Awards will be handed out on February 12 in Los Angeles.

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