Album of the Day

Born Peter Gene Hernandez in Hawaii, Bruno Mars began performing at a young age but his career didn't really take off until he focused on songwriting and production, working on hits by Travie McCoy and B.o.B. Those skills paid off big time when Mars cut his own album, DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS, released 10 years ago this month. Spanning pop, R&B, reggae and rock, the Atlantic/Elektra collection spun off a string of successful singles, of which “Grenade,” “The Lazy Song” and “Just the Way You Are” were all Top 10 hits. The latter track brought Mars a Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Grammy (the album earned four additional nominations), and his inviting, easy-going style is this set's secret weapon. Certified 6x platinum, DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS made Mars one of music's brightest stars.