Bibliographic Information: Mars, Bruno. Doo-wops & hooligans [sound recording]1 sound disc : digital ; 4 3/4 in. Compact disc. Elektra, 2010. UPC 075678912153.
Genre: Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop, Rap
Age Level: 14+
Curriculum ties: Music
Performer: Bruno Mars, vocals and instruments; with acc.
Producer: Dwayne “Supa Dups” Chin
Note: This work was nominated for the Echo award in the category of Most successful newcomer of the year, 2011.
Annotation: Bruno Mars offers upbeat pop hit that you will dance to all day and night.
Contents: Grenade — Just the way you are — Our first time — Runaway baby — The lazy song — Marry you — Talking to the moon — Liquor store blues (ft. Damian Marley) — Count on me — The other side (ft. Cee Lo Green & B.o.B.).
Critical Evaluation: What I enjoy about this album is that it has plenty of diverse songs including reggae, hip-hop, rock, pop, and R&B styles and lots of collaborations with artists just like his new album that is coming out soon. The majority of the songs are upbeat, chart topping dance hits like “Grenade” along with his more romantic love ballads like “Just the Way You are”. Most of the tracks are current chart toppers and are widely recognizable. Mars combines a soulful piano style with a hip hop/pop feel in this album that is uplifting. Teens, both boys and girls both gravitate to Bruno Mars. Boys appreciate his style, swagger, and dance abilities. Teen girls are smitten with his smooth vocal stylings, his good looks, and his flirtatious dancing. This CD is definitely one to upload to your iPod and play when you need a little pick me up.
Booktalking Ideas: N/A
Challenge Issues/ Defense:
Challenge Issues: Song with Cee-Lo entitled F***you.
“F*** You!” was released in various versions. The radio edit of the song is called “Forget You”, while another edit is simply entitled “FU”.[4][5] All the versions can be found at the US iTunes store. The original and “clean” versions and the accompanying music video and lyric video are included in an extended play, entitled “F**k You – Deluxe Single”, available for sale in the iTunes store.[6] The original version was released on August 19, 2010, the clean version on September 14, 2010 and the “FU” version on September 21, 2010[7] to the US iTunes store.
Why was this item included?: A popular singer that appeals to both boys and girls, a representation of Hip hop & R&B music in the collection.
Author Information: Mars is a multitalented singer, songwriter, producer and musician who feels most at home when he’s performing. Born to a musical family in Honolulu, Hawaii, he was practically raised on the stage. His father, a Latin percussionist from Brooklyn, organized a Vegas-style revue that featured the entire family, including his mother, a talented vocalist. When a four-year-old Mars observed his family performing Motown hits, doo-wop medleys and impersonations for enthusiastic crowds all over his native Waikiki Beach, “I was jealous!” says Mars with a laugh. “My dad put me on stage and I remember singing an Elvis song and that was it. Ever since that moment, I’ve been addicted.”
Rich in diverse music from all over the globe, Honolulu was an exciting hometown for the budding singer/songwriter. On one end of the spectrum, his home was filled with the 1950s classics that were his father’s passion. Meanwhile, the city is rich in traditional sounds, including reggae, rock and folk music, as well as the latest pop hits. “Hawaii is basically in the middle of the world, so you’re exposed to every type of music over there,” explains Mars.
As soon as he graduated high school, Mars left Hawaii for Los Angeles with dreams of launching his career as a performer. Those dreams got put on hold, however, when The Smeezingtons, the songwriting/production team he founded with Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine, suddenly took off. The pair has crafted major hits for a diverse roster of talent, including Flo Rida’s “Right Round”, Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire”, Brandy’s “Long Distance” and K’Naan’s “Waving Flags”, which is the theme song for the upcoming World Cup.
(Author biography obtained from author website. Retrieved from: http://brunomars.us/index.php/bruno/)
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