Super Bowl Sultan Bruno Mars Is Our Man Crush Monday

Bruno Mars dazzled millions with his classy Super Bowl halftime performance, complete with a skinny tie and gold jacket. It's been over a week and we can't seem to get the crooner out of our minds!

The Story Behind the Name

Grammy-award-winning Peter Hernandez, better known as Bruno Mars, was born into a family of musicians on October 8, 1985 in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was his father who nicknamed him "Bruno" because of his resemblance to the wrestler Bruno Sammartino. The "Mars" part of his identity came from the girls calling him "out of this world."

Mars spent his childhood performing around his hometown with his family band, The Love Notes. Promptly after graduating high school, he set out for Los Angeles at the age of 17.

Going Solo

Mars spent some time producing music during a failed contract with Motown Records. After providing vocals on songs like "Nothing on You" with B.o.B., and "Billionaire" with Travie McCoy, it was time to go solo.

Mars signed with Atlantic Records in 2009 and swept the world off its feet with his debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans. The 2010 album featured "The Lazy Song," as well as "Just the Way You Are" and "Grenade."

Mars' second album, Unorthodox Jukebox, went to number one in the United States. Released in 2012, the record featured songs like "Locked Out of Heaven", "When I Was Your Man" and "Treasure."

Influences

Heavily influenced by Elvis, Michael Jackson and Prince, Mars has sold 10 million albums in just a few short years. He has had the unwavering support of his longtime girlfriend and model Jessica Caban, who was on hand to see Mars win his Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album in January.

The two have been dating for over two years and he's already had her meet the parents for their stamp of approval. Could we possibly hear some wedding bells soon?

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