Bruno Mars’ Ultimate Collaborators: Discovering the Artists He’s Teamed Up With the Most
With over 100 million records sold worldwide and 10 Grammy Awards under his belt, Bruno Mars has cemented himself as one of the most successful pop artists of the modern era. But Mars’ success would not have been possible without the help of his many collaborators – the talented artists he has teamed up with over the years to create chart-topping hits.
While Mars has collaborated with a diverse array of musicians across genres, pinpointing his “ultimate” collaborators requires analyzing both the frequency and impact of these partnerships. Certain collaborators have appeared on multiple Mars hits, while others have helped catapult his career to new heights with just one iconic song.
After examining Mars’ extensive discography, three collaborators stand out as having formed the most fruitful partnerships with the pop star: Mark Ronson, B.o.B, and Adele.
Mark Ronson: The Most Frequent Collaborator
English DJ and producer Mark Ronson has arguably collaborated with Bruno Mars more than any other artist, appearing on at least five of Mars’ biggest hits:
•”Gorilla” (2014): Another Ronson-produced collaboration that peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100.
•”Moonshine” (2013): A funk-infused song featuring Mars and Ronson on vocals.
•”The Way You Move” (2010): An early collaboration that appeared on Ronson’s album Record Collection.
•”Nothing But the Beat” (2011): A club banger featuring Mars, Ronson, and rapper David Guetta.
The frequency and consistent success of Ronson and Mars’ collaborations point to a strong songwriting and production partnership, with Ronson helping Mars refine his retro-soul sound. Their multiple hits together cement Ronson as Mars’ most frequent collaborator.
B.o.B: Early Partner in Success
American rapper B.o.B first collaborated with Mars on the smash hit “Nothin’ on You” in 2010, which peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped launch both of their careers into the mainstream. They followed this up with another top 10 hit, “Count on Me,” in 2011.
These early collaborations between the then-up-and-coming artists proved pivotal in establishing Mars as a chart-topping pop star. B.o.B.’s hip-hop flavor and melodic hooks complemented Mars’ R&B vocals perfectly, creating two multi-format crossover singles that helped define Mars’ signature retro-pop sound in his early career.
Adele: The Impact of One Iconic Collaboration
While British singer Adele has only one official writing credit with Bruno Mars – the emotional ballad “Tears Always Win” from 2012 – their collaboration marked a special moment between two of the decade’s most successful vocalists.
More importantly, Adele’s decision to include “Tears Always Win” on her blockbuster album 21 helped expose Mars to a massive new audience and elevated his profile internationally. The song’s appearance on 21 – which would go on to become the best-selling album of the 21st century – was a major career boost for Mars in the midst of his meteoric rise.
In summary, while Mars has collaborated with many talented artists across genres, Mark Ronson, B.o.B and Adele stand out as his “ultimate” collaborators based on a combination of factors: the frequency of their partnerships, the impact those collaborations had in shaping Mars’ sound and career trajectory, and the commercial and critical success they achieved together. Mars’ diverse roster of collaborators continues to enrich his music, but these three artists in particular helped define the trajectory of his stardom.
