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’ “Unorthodox Jukebox” Expected to Return to the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 Chart

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Expect to see Bruno Mars shooting up the charts this week…

The 28-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer-songwriter is expected to return to the top 10 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, following his highly lauded Super Bowl halftime performance on Sunday, February 2.

Mars’ Grammy-winning sophomore album, Unorthodox Jukebox, sold approximately 40,000 copies in the week ending Feb. 2, according to estimates from industry sources.

That would represent a 164% gain compared to the previous week, when it sold 15,000, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The album’s official sales figures, as tabulated by SoundScan, will be released later today (Wednesday, February 5 ), the same day that the new Billboard 200 chart’s top 10 will be revealed.

If the album returns to the top 10 with 40,000, it will mark the album’s first visit to the top 10 since the Billboard 200 chart dated Sept. 14, 2013, and its best sales week since last March.

Unorthodox Jukebox was already aiming to sell around 19,000 in the week ending Feb. 2, thanks in part to Mars’ exposure at last week’s Grammy Awards (January 26). Mars won the award for best pop vocal album, but did not perform on the show.

According to Fox, who cite Nielsen data, Mars’ halftime show attracted the largest audience in the history of the Super Bowl, with 115.3 million viewers. That figure surpasses the prior record of 114 million set by Madonna two years ago.

Last year, Beyonce headlined the Super Bowl halftime show (110.8 million), where she was briefly joined by her Destiny’s Child group members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Unlike Mars, Beyonce didn’t have a current album riding high on the charts at the time.

In the week ending February 3, 2013, Beyonce saw her most recent album, 2011’s 4, re-enter the Billboard 200 at No. 100 with 4,000 sold (up 123%). The following week — after a full week of sales impact was felt from the game — the album climbed to No. 79 with 6,000 (up 59%).

The impact of the Super Bowl on Mars’ music sales — and on the Billboard charts — will be unique compared to all other halftime headliners in the modern era of Super Bowl halftime entertainment.

Since 1993, when Michael Jackson headlined the halftime festivities, the main performer on the show has generally been an act with a fairly deep catalog of albums and songs. Mars, however, has only released two albums — Unorthodox Jukebox (released in 2012) and Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010).

Thus, all of the sales and chart impact felt by Mars will be concentrated on just those two albums (and their respective singles). Unlike previous years, where everyone from Beyonce and Madonna to Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen saw their post-Super Bowl chart impact spread across multiple albums and songs.

“It Just Got Real,” Declares Mars at His Super Bowl Press Conference

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Ready or not, Bruno Mars is about to take the biggest stage of his career this Super Bowl Sunday.

“I’ve never had to do a press conference before I perform, so it just got real, I guess!” joked the 28-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer at a Super Bowl press conference at Lincoln Center‘s Rose Theater in New York City.

Asked by Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams, reporting for omg! Insider, how he felt about accepting the invitation to headline the halftime show, Mars responded, “We were all watching you as a band last year when you performed with Beyonce, and we were wondering just like, ‘What if one day we get the call to do that?'” he said, later noting that his favorite halftime acts to date also include Prince, Michael Jackson and Bruce Springsteen. “It definitely came soon.”

Mars noted that he began rehearsing two nights ago, and was faced with the reality of the brutal cold in New Jersey and New York.

“There was a lot of things that happened — the microphone turns into a popsicle!” he explained. I’m grabbing the mic and it’s frozen! Just stuff like that that we’re taking into consideration, and getting some heaters on everything.”

But how will he keep his signature hairdo intact? “I got three gallons of hairspray in this thing, so I’m good!”

While he won’t be giving away any secrets about his set list — “It’s only a couple days away, they can hold tight,” he told reporters — Mars will stay true to his usual laid-back big-band aesthetic. “No matter where I perform, it’s my job to uplift the people — whether I’m performing at a graduation party, wedding, bar mitzvah, Grammys, Super Bowl, I’m gonna give it all I got,” he said of the gig. “I don’t trapeze and all that stuff. I hope to get people dancing and get people smiling. If you ever come to my shows, it’s just us up there with these songs and our instruments. I hope that’s enough.”

Mars also explained how he chose his co-performers. “The first band I thought of was the Red Hot Chili Peppers — I’ve been a fan of theirs for such a long time, I admire their career,” he recalled when the NFL presented him with the opportunity. “They’re a soulful band — and not just musically, but as people. I sat down with Flea, and he’s so passionate about music. Even to this day, doing it for so long, he’s still so passionate about creating music and performing. I want to surround myself with guys like that forever, and it’s an honor to share the stage with them. They’re one of my personal favorite bands of all time.”

He thanked the NFL for the rare chance to headline the televised event. “I still feel like a new artist — the NFL is such a prestigious stage, and they’re giving the new guy a shot. No, I haven’t been able to take it in, but I will. Come Sunday, I will.”

Rivera Releases Debut Single “Sorry”

Posted on August 11, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

She’s proficiently covered the likes of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Kelly Clarkson… And, now Naya Rivera has released her own song.

The 26-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer/actress and Glee star released her own track, Sorry, on Los Angeles radio station Power 106 FM on Friday.

Rivera, best known for portraying Santana Lopez on Fox’s hit musical dramedy, got a little help from her boyfriend, G.O.O.D. Music label rapper Big Sean on recording the single and debuting it on air.

“Heard that #nayapower trended?! You guys are the best. This was a good day for all of us and I can’t thank you enough for your support,” Rivera tweeted on Friday.

The single, which Rivera says has “been a long time coming,” was finally dropped after Rivera shared a snippet of it last week on Twitter.

After her big break on Glee, Rivera signed a solo album record deal with Columbia Records back in May 2011.

Prior to releasing “Sorry” with Big Sean, Rivera recorded a feature on Croatian cello duo 2Cellos‘ sophomore album second single, a cover of Muse‘s “Supermassive Black Hole” and also appeared in the song’s music video.

Lovato Dedicates “Angels Among Us” to Newtown Shooting Victims

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Demi Lovato is using her powerful voice to raise awareness for the Newtown, Connecticut shooting victims and their grieving families…

The 20-year-old part-Mexican American singer/actress and The X Factor judge has dedicated a moving rendition of Alabama’s hit single “Angels Among Us” to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on December 14.

Lovato – who was just named to DoSomething.org’s “Celebs Gone Good” list for her anti-bullying efforts and her charitable work and involvement in social and environmental causes – is using the song to raise awareness for wearenewtown.org, an organization formed to raise funds for the victims of the Newtown, Connecticut shooting and their families.

Lovato’s music video opens with a loving dedication to the 20 school children and 6 educators who were killed in the shooting.

“We can never imagine what the families in Newtown, Connecticut are experiencing right now. And while there is nothing we can do to replace their loss, we can stand together and support them during this difficult time,” says Lovato. “This song is in honor of those angels we lost on Dec. 14.”

Accompanied only by a pianist and an acoustic guitar in a set filled with lit candles, Lovato delivers a heart-warming performance. Her usual rock vocals and belt-it-out-of the-park style almost breaks at points throughout the song, as the singer is overcome with emotion.

Lovato is one of many artists who;ve paid tribute to the victims of the tragedy. In the recently concluded season of The X Factor, the contestants performed Michael Jackson‘s “You Are Not Alone,” while one the finale of The Voice, judges Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine and Cee Lo Green sang “Hallelujah“ while holding up placards with the victims’ names.

Garcia & “The X Factor” Contestants Pay Tribute to the Newtown Shooting Victims

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

This season’s The X Factor contestants, including Jennel Garcia and the members of Fifth Harmony, have performed a touching tribute to the victims of the Newtown shooting…

During Wednesday night’s performance show on the Fox singing competition, the 18-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer, sent home in a shocking exit last month, joined fellow Latina singers Camila Cabello, Ally Brooke Hernandez and Lauren Jauregui – members of the all-girl group Fifth Harmony – and the rest of the show’s contestants this season to perform Michael Jackson’s “You Are Not Alone.”

After a short introduction by Simon Cowell, the X Factor contestants — Beatrice Miller, Arin Ray, Diamond White, CeCe Frey, Paige Thomas, Garcia, Vino Alan, Emblem3, Tate Stevens, Fifth Harmony and Carly Rose Sonenclar — each contributed a verse of the song.

The performance — aided by a children’s choir — concluded with the names of the departed students and educators on the screen behind them.

Earlier this week, NBC‘s The Voice honored the victims with their own heartfelt offering of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” while Bruno Mars performed a beautiful tribute to the victims on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Mars Wows Viewers as Host & Musical Guest on SNL

Posted on October 21, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It’s been said that, “You only get one chance to make a first impression.” If that’s the case, Bruno Mars has proven he’s got comedic chops to match his singing abilities.

In his second appearance on Saturday Night Live this weekend, the 26-year-old part-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer-songwriter did more than serve as the musical guest. He also hosted NBC’s long-running sketch comedy for the first time ever.

From Mars’ opening monologue to his final sketch, Mars’ appearance proved to be quite an entertaining affair and helped give NBC its highest ratings for an episode of Saturday Night Live since Lindsay Lohan hosted in March.

Mars, sans hat, broke into song partway through his opening monologue in a song that focused on his first-time-hosting nerves, singing “Can I put aside my fears? Can I be like Timberlake?” He closed the song with “Please be gentle,” then gave viewers his best pouty face.

Mars’ first sketch, which centered on a talk show called Haters with Sunny Taylor Tomkins, centered on a mother-daughter duo and featured Mars in his best To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar! impersonation. Playing a 17-year-old unemployed high school dropout named Crystal, Mars stole the sketch with dialogue.

“You’re just jealous ‘cause I’m young and I got a debit card and I know where to party,” declared Mars in character. “Ya’ll just mad ‘cause you ain’t got this. You ain’t got this. Quit hating alright, ‘cause Jesus made me perfect!”

Moments later, Mars appeared in the most memorable sketches of the night, as an intern at the Pandora Internet Radio Headquarters.

When Pandora suffers a power outage and the Green Day channel comes thisclose to going out, Mars’ geeky intern character Devon is called upon to impersonate Billie Joe Armstrong during one of the songs, which he does masterfully. He then impersonates Aerosmith‘s Steven Tyler, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Louis Armstrong and Michael Jackson.

And in the most poignant segment, a SNL Digital Short entitled Sad Mouse, Mars played a lonely guy who lands a job wearing a mouse suit in Times Square. His girlfriend had just dumped him and his dad had just left him for his other family, so he was worried what he’d do if people ignored him. “What if they don’t wave back?” he tearfully asked his new employer.

Mars wanders around in the mouse suit, desperately looking for love to no avail. Mars then pulls out the letter from his dad (Dear son, this is our other family) before finally connecting with a hula-skirted frog at the end.

In addition to his sketches, Mars took to the stage to perform two of this new singles. Mars first performed “Locked Out of Heaven” and later returned to sing his new ballad “Young Girls.” Both songs will appear on his upcoming album Unorthodox Jukebox.

First Look: Ricky Martin’s Sexy (And I Know It) Glee Appearance

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Naya Rivera helped make this week’s Michael Jackson tribute episode one of Glee’s smoothest events… But things are about to get muy caliente when Ricky Martin mambos his way to McKinley High as part of the hit dramedy’s Spanish-themed edition.

In next week’s episode, the 40-year-old Puerto Rican singer/actor will guest star as David Martinez, a teacher at a night school that Matthew Morrison’s character attends when his abilities as a Spanish teacher are questioned.

Martin’s musically inclined character will help the New Directions kids complete a sizzling Spanish singing assignment given to them by Will (Morrison).

As he blends in musical performance with Rachel and her friends, David becomes a potential rival for Will’s position at McKinley High.

In a video preview for the episode, Martin calls his Glee experience “one of the favorite moments of my career.”

During that same episode, Sue has big news to announce as she decides to have a child, but people doubt her motherly instinct. Meanwhile, Rachel spills the beans to Kurt and Mercedes on Finn’s marriage proposal, and Mercedes has love complications of her own.

“The Spanish Teacher” will air Tuesday, February 7 at 8/7c on FOX.

Rivera Shines on Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal”

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

She’s mastered Adele, Rihanna and West Side Story’s Anita… And now Glee’s oh-so-saucy star Naya Rivera is taking on the music of The King of Pop.

The 25-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer’s character Santana Lopez will be going toe-to-toe with Grant Gustin’s conniving character Sebastian on the Fox musical dramedy’s Michael Jackson-themed episode.

Rivera and Gustin will face off in a vocal duel to Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal,” as Santana tries to protect Blaine’s honor since Sebastian has been trying everything to break up Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Blaine (Darren Criss).

The stripped-down-but-still-high-energy number features Santana, Sebastian, two cellists and an empty room full of chairs.

Glee’s Michael Jackson-themed episode airs Tuesday, January 31 on Fox.

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