Where Did Bruno Mars Go To College?

Bruno Mars was born Peter Gene Hernandez on October 8, 1985 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was raised in a very musical family. His father Pete was a Latin percussionist from Brooklyn and his mother Bernadette was a singer. Bruno was exposed to music from a very young age and was inspired by legends like Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and Little Richard.

Bruno started performing on stage from the age of 2, often appearing in his family’s band The Love Notes. He learned to play several instruments as a child including guitar, bass, piano and drums. Bruno graduated from President Theodore Roosevelt High School in 2003, where he performed in a group called The School Boys.

Moving to Los Angeles and Signing a Record Deal

After graduating high school, the 17-year-old Bruno moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. He started producing songs and working with other artists, providing background vocals for Brandy’s album “Human”.

In 2004, Bruno signed a record deal with Motown Records and started working on his debut album. He adopted the stage name ‘Bruno Mars’ which he felt better reflected his performance driven style. Unfortunately, the deal with Motown fell through.

Over the next few years, Bruno worked hard writing songs and producing music for other artists like Flo Rida, Travie McCoy, Adam Levine and Sean Kingston. His work started gaining recognition in the industry.

Major Breakthrough with B.o.B’s “Nothin’ on You”

In 2009, Bruno co-wrote and sang the hooks for B.o.B’s debut single “Nothin’ on You”. The track became a major international hit, reaching #1 in multiple countries. This gave Bruno his first taste of mainstream success.

The exposure from “Nothin’ on You” helped Bruno get a new record deal with Atlantic Records. He continued writing and recording songs for his debut studio album ‘Doo-Wops & Hooligans’.

Doo-Wops & Hooligans Success

On October 4, 2010, Bruno released his debut album ‘Doo-Wops & Hooligans’, which included the hit singles “Just the Way You Are” and “Grenade”. The album was both a critical and commercial success:

• It debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart in the US.
• By January 2011, the album had sold over 1.8 million copies worldwide.
• “Just the Way You Are” topped the charts in multiple countries and won Bruno a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
• “Grenade” also reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making Bruno the first male artist to land 2 chart topping singles from a debut album since 1962.
• Doo-Wops & Hooligans was nominated for ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Best Pop Vocal Album’ at the 2011 Grammy Awards.

The album showcased Bruno’s songwriting prowess and established him as a major force in pop music. The doo-wop influence combined with Bruno’s soaring vocals made it a standout debut.

Unorthodox Jukebox Album and Super Bowl Halftime Show

Riding high on his success, Bruno focused on recording his second studio album ‘Unorthodox Jukebox’. It was released in December 2012 and debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200.

The album featured a variety of musical styles and production techniques rarely heard in pop music. The lead single “Locked out of Heaven” became Bruno’s fourth #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100.

Other hit singles from the album included “When I Was Your Man” and “Treasure” which showed off Bruno’s ability to evoke old school R&B. Unorthodox Jukebox earned Bruno a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album in 2014.

In February 2014, Bruno performed during the prestigious Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show along with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. His energetic setlist included hits like “Locked Out of Heaven”, “Treasure” and “Just The Way You Are”. The performance was viewed by a record 115.3 million people and catapulted Bruno into global superstardom.

World Tour and Uptown Funk Success

Capitalizing on his massive success, Bruno embarked on the ‘Moonshine Jungle Tour’ across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. It became one of the highest grossing tours of 2014, earning over $156 million.

During a break from touring in 2014, Bruno teamed up with producer Mark Ronson to record the megahit “Uptown Funk”. The funky, retro track was a worldwide phenomenon topping the charts in 19 countries and becoming the second best selling single of all time. It was featured on Mark Ronson’s album ‘Uptown Special’.

At the 2016 Grammy Awards, “Uptown Funk” won Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance awards. It also won Bruno his third Grammy for Record of the Year.

24K Magic Album and World Tour

After nearly 4 years, Bruno made a comeback with his third studio album ’24K Magic’ in November 2016. He explored a heavier R&B sound influenced by 90’s hip hop and funk. The title track “24K Magic” was the lead single and peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and was certified 3x platinum in the US. It marked a shift towards Bruno’s urban contemporary direction. At the 2018 Grammy Awards, ’24K Magic’ won Album of the Year and Best R&B Album. The title track won Record of the Year and Best R&B Song.

On the back of this renewed success, Bruno embarked on his ’24K Magic World Tour’ from 2017-2018. According to Billboard Boxscore, it grossed over $237 million from 200 sold-out shows and 2 million tickets sold. It cemented Bruno’s status as one of the most successful touring artists in the world.

Forbes List and Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show

In 2017, Bruno made the Forbes ’30 under 30′ list and was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. His combined album and single sales exceeded 130 million worldwide.

In February 2022, Bruno co-headlined the Super Bowl LVI halftime show with hip-hop legends Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem and Mary J. Blige. His energetic set included hits like “Uptown Funk”, “24K Magic”, “Treasure” and “Locked Out of Heaven”. The show was critically acclaimed for bringing together hip-hop and pop.

With 3 hugely successful albums, years of touring and multiple hit singles, Bruno has become one of the best-selling artists and in-demand performers of recent times. He has won 15 Grammy Awards cementing his status as a pop icon.

So Where Did Bruno Mars Go To College?

Despite his remarkable success story, Bruno Mars actually never went to college!

He moved from Hawaii to LA at 17 to start his music career. Bruno was able to get a record deal based on his vocal talent and production skills, without needing a college education.

In interviews, Bruno has attributed his work ethic and musical skills to growing up in a talented family of performers and musicians. He learned by observing and working with seasoned professionals from a very young age.

Bruno has never publicly commented on applying for or considering college. Music was always his passion and primary focus from childhood. Once he got early traction in the industry by 18-19, college was no longer something he actively pursued.

Unlike many famous musicians, Bruno Mars found success in pop music without going to college. He is an example of how raw talent, persistence and great mentorship can sometimes trump formal higher education. However, this unconventional path to stardom is an exception rather than the norm.

Is College Beneficial for Aspiring Musicians?

Pursuing higher education and a musical career are not mutually exclusive goals. Here are some potential benefits of attending college for aspiring musicians:

• Gaining musical skills through classes, ensembles, music theory and lessons on your instrument.
• Access to professional recording studios, equipment and music technology.
• Opportunities to perform live shows with other student musicians.
• Making connections with music industry professionals who are guest lecturers or professors.
• Learning broader academic skills in business, marketing, social media, etc.
• Earning a degree as a backup plan if the music career doesn’t pan out.

However, college isn’t always the best or only option. Some musicians choose to hone their craft through real world experience by doing gigs, session work or joining a band. Others build careers purely through social media exposure and releasing music online.

Ultimately, the ideal path depends on one’s specific skills, network and professional goals. But some type of postsecondary training can provide helpful knowledge and experience for an aspiring musician.

Notable Musicians Who Went to College

While Bruno Mars skipped college in pursuit of stardom, many famous musicians got their start playing music in college. Here are a few noteworthy examples:

John Legend

• Attended University of Pennsylvania
• Sang in college a cappella group Counterparts
• Graduated at 20 with a degree in English

Doja Cat

• Briefly attended community college in Santa Monica
• Dropped out to focus on music career
• Signed with RCA while releasing songs online

Diplo

• Studied film at University of Central Florida
• DJ’d parties and raves while in college
• Co-founded the record label Mad Decent after graduating

Shawn Mendes

• Studied music for 1 year at Queens University in Canada
• Signed record deal with Island Records and left to pursue music
• Scored breakout hit “Stitches” at age 17

Rihanna

• Briefly attended Combermere High School in Barbados
• Recorded demo tapes with local producers after school
• Signed with Def Jam Records at age 16 before finishing school

While some major stars skipped college, many others gained initial experience writing, performing and producing music with peers and access to studios while in school. College can be a helpful stepping stone but is not the only way to achieve musical success.

Key Takeaways

• Bruno Mars moved from Hawaii to LA at 17 to start his music career, without attending college.
• He gained industry exposure by producing songs for other artists, leading to a record deal with Atlantic at age 25.
• Bruno’s raw talent and work ethic helped him achieve global fame through albums like ‘Doo-Wops & Hooligans’ and ’24K Magic’.
• He has won 15 Grammys and become one of the best-selling artists, with over 130 million records sold worldwide.
• College provides opportunities to hone musical skills, but is not a requirement for success. Musicians like Bruno have skipped higher education.
• Many renowned musicians like John Legend, Diplo and Shawn Mendes got their start playing music in college.
• The ideal path depends on one’s specific skills, resources and professional aspirations in music.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bruno Mars took an unconventional route to superstardom without attending college. He moved to LA as a teenager to pursue his music dreams and gained experience producing for other artists.

Bruno’s incredible raw talent, vocal skills and work ethic helped him achieve major success with chart-topping albums and singles within just a few years. He has become one of the world’s best-selling music acts without a college education.

However, higher education can provide valuable musical opportunities and skills for many aspiring artists. The ideal path depends on one’s individual strengths and career goals.

Bruno Mars’ extraordinary rise to fame speaks to how drive and dedication can sometimes override formal qualifications. His unique story provides inspiration, but also highlights that college remains a helpful stepping stone for the vast majority of musicians.

FAQs about Bruno Mars and College

Did Bruno Mars attend college?

No, Bruno Mars did not attend college. After graduating high school in Hawaii in 2003, he moved to Los Angeles at age 17 to pursue a music career. Bruno focused entirely on songwriting, production work and recording, without enrolling in a college.

What college did Bruno Mars go to?

Bruno Mars never actually went to any college. Early in his career, he was fully devoted to making industry connections and working on his music. Bruno never attended a university, community college or even took any college classes.

Where did Bruno Mars live when starting his career?

After finishing high school in Honolulu, Hawaii in 2003, a 17-year old Bruno Mars moved to Los Angeles, California. LA’s music scene provided more opportunities to connect with producers and artists looking for songs, vocals and production work. Bruno lived in LA for several years before becoming famous.

How did Bruno Mars gain musical success without college?

Bruno was able to hone his skills early on by growing up in a very musical family, performing since childhood, and absorbing mentorship from seasoned professionals. After moving to LA, he focused on writing songs, producing tracks for other artists, and vocally accompanying them in the studio. These experiences helped Bruno gain industry exposure and credibility without college training.

Did Bruno Mars ever consider going to college?

Bruno Mars has not publicly stated if he ever considered attending college. Given his early passion and pursuit of music from a young age, it appears that Bruno was fully committed to kickstarting his career as a teenager. Higher education does not seem to have been a serious consideration or backup plan before achieving fame.