REVOLVER :CONSIDERING that Bruno Mars only released his debut album last October, it can be argued that he is already the most outlandishly successful and talented act of his generation. The phrase "the new Michael Jackson" may only belong in some demented record company press release, but for once we're looking at someone who could potentially have a seismic effect on the music industry.
Only 25, Mars poses a triple threat as a performer, producer and songwriter. In the latter category he's just been named the most successful songwriter of 2010 (and there were some huge names up against him). In addition to his own hit singles ( Just the Way You Areand Grenade), Mars also co-wrote Cee Lo's Fuck Youas well as a few other multi-platinum sellers.
As a producer he's already too expensive to hire for all but those at the top of the A-list. As a performer his Doo-Wops and Hooligansalbum reached the top of the world's charts. Oh, and his current tour sold out in nanoseconds.
So quick has been Mars’s ascent that way back he was booked into the Olympia for his Dublin date next Wednesday, even though he could easily sell out the O2. Last month he picked up his first Grammy, and was second only to Eminem in the number of nominations.
In many ways Bruno Mars is a Stepford figure. He has the fresh-faced appeal of a boy bander and his music, while rooted firmly in the mainstream for that vital pan-generational appeal, has the odd hip-hop and r’n’b flourish to keep the music mags on board.
Mars earned himself some “bad boy” cred last year in Las Vegas, when he was arrested after being found in possession of 2.6 grams of cocaine. Mars told police that he had never taken drugs before and realised what he had just done was foolish. But type in “bruno mars mug shot” into a search engine and look at how he posed for the photograph. That’s some smile.
As a songwriter, Mars excels in vaulting over genres. Radio loves him because his tracks are equal parts hip-hop and Billy Joel. He’s black enough to score a record deal with Motown but white enough to know he can’t be marketed as whatever “type” they want.
He's smart enough to refer to himself as "the Nickelodeon version of Danger Mouse" and says he studies songs such as Wonderful Tonightand Nothing Compares 2 Uto see what goes into making a classic. He writes songs such as Fuck Youfor other artists to see how far he can go in terms of lyrics and styles while still notching up multi-million sales and airplay.
Put simply, Bruno Mars is the most impressive and extravagantly talented new act of the past decade. He’s already the new Ryan Tedder and is capable of moving into an even more rarefied category over the next few years.
So, if you’re one of the few going to the Olympia next Wednesday, remember: you’re watching The Future of Pop Music in action.
Mixedbag
- Liam Gallagher described Mumford & Sons as "looking like they've just come out of a cider apple factory" and reviewed Radiohead's new opus (The King of Limbs) thus: "They've written a song about a f***ing tree. Give me a f***ing break!"
- She's sang on Glee and at the Grammys (and she can hold a note), and now Gwyneth Paltrow says she's on the verge of signing with a major label. An actress launching a music career? Spare yourself the grief Gwyneth and check the track record.
