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Hate or love it, Bruno Mars is a music marvel. In an interview with Latina, he gave Black music all the credit for not only getting the scene to the place it is today and inspiring his overall career, but also for influencing that American swag that’s swept the world.

“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]. So, in my world, black music means everything. It’s what gives America it’s swag,” said the 31-year-old entertainer.

Like many of today’s more mature entertainers, the Hawaiian / Puerto Rican grew up on what us “old heads” consider Hip-Hop & R&B’s golden era explaining, “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.”

He added, “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for these artists who inspired me. They have brought me so much joy and created the soundtrack to my life filled with memories that I’ll never forget. Most importantly, they were the superstars that set the bar for me and showed me what it takes to sing a song that can get the whole world dancing, or give a performance that people will talk about forever. Watching them made me feel like I had to be as great as they were in order to even stand a chance in this music business. You gotta sing as if Jodeci is performing after you and dance as if Bobby Brown is coming up next.”

Taking all things into account if you pay attention to Bruno’s music and performances you can see a bit of all these artists influences and his material is all the better for it.

Photo: Instagram