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Bruno Mars’ complex heritage: Debating the Afro-Latino label
Bruno Mars is one of the most successful musicians of his generation, known for his smooth vocals, catchy melodies, and impressive dance moves. While many people know him for his music, fewer are aware of his heritage and the cultural influences that have shaped his identity and career.
Bruno Mars’ heritage: Is he Afro-Latino?
While Bruno Mars’ heritage is often described as being Afro-Latino, it is important to note that he has a complex and diverse cultural background. While his father is of Puerto Rican descent, his mother’s family is Filipino and Spanish, and he was raised in a multicultural environment in Hawaii.
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Despite his diverse background, Bruno Mars has often identified with his Puerto Rican heritage and the influence that Latin American music has had on his work, as he has incorporated elements of Latin American music into many of his songs.
In addition to his music, Bruno Mars has also been an outspoken advocate for Latin American culture and issues. In 2018, he donated $1 million to support victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, after singing a Spanish rendition of his hit “Just The Way You Are.” He has also used his platform to speak out against anti-Latino racism and discrimination.
In a 2012 interview with Latina magazine, the singer, born Peter Gene Hernandez, revealed that his father, who was a huge pro wrestling fan, had been calling him Bruno since he was a kid because he looked a bit like the legendary Bruno Sammartino.
“I was going to go by ‘Bruno,’ one name. Mars just kind of came joking around because that sounds bigger than life. That was it, simple as that,” he explained.
After moving to Los Angeles at 17 to pursue his music career, Bruno was concerned that producers would assume he wanted to make Latin records, due to his last name Hernandez. It was then that he decided to add on Mars since he didn’t want to be stereotyped or compared to the likes of Enrique Iglesias.
However, he made it clear to Latina magazine that he was not trying to hide his ethnicity by changing his name, nor that he was ashamed of his heritage.
“I never once said I changed my last name to hide the fact that I’m Puerto Rican. Why would I f*****g say that? Who are you fooling? And why would anyone say that? My last name is Hernandez. My father’s name is Pedrito Hernandez, and he’s a Puerto Rican pimp. There’s no denying that.”
“How are you going to tell me that this song that I’m writing is only going to be catered to Puerto Ricans or to white people or only Asian people? How are you going to tell me that? My music is for anybody who wants to listen to it.”
However, even though he is Latino, Bruno Mars is not African American and, therefore, he has faced backlash for cultural appropriation for his music style. In response, he has been vocal about how black music has inspired him: “When you say ‘black music,’ understand that you are talking about rock, jazz, R&B, reggae, funk, doo-wop, hip-hop, and Motown. Black people created it all. Being Puerto Rican, even salsa music stems back to the Motherland [Africa].”
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“So, in my world, black music means everything. It’s what gives America its swag. I’m a child raised in the ‘90s. Pop music was heavily rooted in R&B from Whitney, Diddy, Dr. Dre, Boyz II Men, Aaliyah, TLC, Babyface, New Edition, Michael, and so much more. As kids, this is what was playing on MTV and the radio. This is what we were dancing to at school functions and BBQs. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for these artists who inspired me.”
Overall, Bruno Mars’ Latino heritage is just one aspect of his complex and multifaceted identity. However, it is a vital part of his story and has played a significant role in shaping the music and message that he shares with the world.
Who is Bruno Mars?
Bruno Mars is a multi-talented American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1985, to a Puerto Rican father and a Filipino mother. His father, Peter Hernandez, was a percussionist who played in a variety of bands in Hawaii, while his mother, Bernadette San Pedro Bayot, was a singer and hula dancer.
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He gained recognition as a songwriter and producer in the mid-2000s, working with artists like B.o.B, Travie McCoy, and CeeLo Green. Mars then launched his own solo career in 2010 with the release of his debut album, “Doo-Wops & Hooligans,” which included hit singles like “Just the Way You Are” and “Grenade.” He has since followed up with several more successful albums, including “Unorthodox Jukebox” and “24K Magic.”
Mars’ music is known for its catchy melodies, smooth vocals, and fusion of various genres, including pop, R&B, funk, and soul. He is also known for his impressive live performances, often incorporating elaborate choreography and visual effects into his shows. Throughout his career, Mars has won multiple Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for “24K Magic” and has sold millions of albums and singles worldwide.
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