Bruno Mars Didn’t Always Live A 24K Life: Learn About His Beginnings

Bruno Mars might sing about “24K Magic,” but his life wasn’t all gold. The singer-songwriter opened up about the hardships that made him the man that he is today.

He revealed that he and his brother were forced to live anywhere after his parents divorced. In a new interview with 60 Minutes, as reported via The Hamilton Spectator, Mars said that he and his brother would have to live in a cabin or in a back of a car for the time being.

“My dad was just the king of finding these little spots for us to stay that we should never have been staying at … It didn’t have plants growing inside. I don’t know what happened to the roof. But the bed would be right there in the middle. We’d all sleep in one bed. We had each other, and it never felt like it was the end of the world. Maybe that’s why I have this mentality when it comes to music. Because I know I’m going to figure it out, just give me some time.”

The 31-year-old singer admitted that being previously dropped from a record label also made him who he is.

“[Those days] sucked, but in a beautiful way. Without getting dropped, I might not be here. All of these things you have to go through. It ain’t easy. If it was easy everyone would be doing it. The worst absolute moment was telling everyone I got dropped. I’m broke. I’m in debt. Walking into a room saying, ‘Yeah, I’m a signed Motown artist,’ then walking and saying, ‘I’m a dropped Motown artist.’ But I’m not blaming anybody over there.”

Mars just released his new album, 24K Magic, which the media has already hailed as his “throwback” album. It’s probably because it feels as if you’re listening to some soft and slow jams from the early to mid-nineties. It has been four years since the release of his last album, Unorthodox Jukebox, which was released in December 2012, while his latest just arrived two weeks shy of the latter’s four-year anniversary, according to USA Today.

The singer hasn’t totally disappeared from the music scene. Mars headlined the 2014 Super Bowl halftime show with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and made a surprise appearance at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show alongside Beyoncé, where he and his band performed his new single, “Uptown Funk.” Mars’ collaboration with Mark Ronson has become the biggest hit of both of their careers.

Mars spoke to NME about his new album, and he said, “For me, this album, I can’t do better.”

He revealed that he used live instruments throughout the R&B-inspired album. It’s what makes Mars’ new album different from all the other pop releases out. It doesn’t sound like anything on the Top 40 or mainstream radio. It doesn’t have any auto-tune or electronics on it.

“I have to touch an instrument or it won’t come out. If I’m not touching the guitar or touching the drum machine or playing the piano, the song just won’t’ come out. I have to be in it, all the way.”

Bruno Mars also announced that he would be supporting 24K Magic with a massive 90-date world tour, which kicks off on March 28 in Antwerp, Belgium. Mars is still riding on the success of his three singles from Unorthodox Jukebox and has previously toured the world in a nearly sold-out arena tour. Though Lady Gaga is set to headline the 2016 Super Bowl halftime show, Mars could probably secure another gig with them.

Let us know your thoughts. What do you think of Mars throwback album, 24K Magic? Sound off below in the comments section.

[Featured Image by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images]