While we wait for Bruno Mars’ long-awaited comeback, let’s take a moment to look back at some of the most iconic moments in his career

After five years, Bruno Mars is set to perform in the Philippines once again for a one-night concert on June 24 at the Philippine Arena. This highly anticipated event will be his fourth performance in the Philippines, following his 24K Magic World Tour in 2018. As we eagerly await his upcoming return, let’s look back and celebrate some of the most iconic moments and achievements of the multi-talented Filipino-American singer.

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The smash hit debut album

Bruno Mars’ first solo single “Just the Way You Are” from his debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans easily launched him to fame. Another hit from the artist, “It Will Rain,” was also featured in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 1, handpicked by the film’s music supervisor. Despite being a new artist at the time, he earned Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Record of the Year. A decade later, the album continues to chart on the Billboard 200, alongside other legendary collections like Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon and Nirvana’s Nevermind.

The 2014 Kennedy Center Honors performance

A moment that will live on in music history forever—Bruno Mars took the stage at the 2014 Kennedy Center Honors to honor Sting. With “So Lonely” and “Message in a Bottle” by The Police, Bruno’s performance was nothing short of electrifying. Sting was visibly delighted and was seen applauding and smiling along with the music. The crowd, which included the likes of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, was also amazed by the musician’s production.

The epic Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show

Bruno Mars delivered an unforgettable performance during the halftime show of Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014, starting with a moving drum solo on a kit designed in honor of his late mother, Bernadette Hernandez. He also served as the musical director of the show, leading a high-energy performance that featured his hits “Locked Out of Heaven,” “Treasure,” and “Runaway Baby.” The Red Hot Chili Peppers also came out as guests and performed their smash single “Give It Away.” The performance made history as the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show at the time, with a record-breaking 115.3 million viewers, surpassing previous records set by Beyoncé and Madonna. One of the many milestones of Bruno Mars’s career occurred within that performance, as he was also the youngest artist to ever take charge of the NFL Super Bowl Halftime Show on his own.

The Grammy Awards opening act

Silk Sonic, the collaboration between Bruno Mars and Anderson.Paak, has dominated the music scene. After releasing their first song, “Leave the Door Open,” in March 2021, the band wowed audiences with a spectacular performance of “777” at the Grammy Awards the following year. The duo was further recognized with a clean sweep at the 2022 Grammy Awards, winning all four categories they were nominated for: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song. 

The unending flow of awards and recognitions

Bruno Mars won his first award at the Grammys for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance with his song “Nothin’ On You” in 2011. From that moment on, his music career has skyrocketed with a remarkable collection of accolades and honors that include an impressive 15 Grammy Awards, four Brit Awards, four Guinness World Records, 11 American Music Awards, and 14 Soul Train Music Awards. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) also recognized Bruno Mars’ chart-topping hits “Just the Way You Are” and “Grenade” as two of the most successful digital singles of all time, boasting jaw-dropping sales of 12.5 million and 10.2 million, respectively. With his captivating talent and groundbreaking contributions to the music scene, it won’t be a surprise if his winning streak continues and if he collects more well-deserved awards in the years to come.