Bruno Mars Steps Into Spotlight with Debut EP

Bruno Mars captured the attention of listeners and the Billboard charts with his show-stealing turn on B.o.B’s chart-topping hit “Nothin’ on You,” and now the multi-faceted star is forging ahead with his own solo career.

On May 11, Elektra Records will release It’s Better If You Don’t Understand, the debut EP from Bruno Mars. The Hawaiian-born singer/songwriter/producer makes up one-half of the production duo The Smeezingtons, known for their work with Flo Rida (“Right Round”) and Brandy (“Long Distance”).

Mars is also hard at work recording his full-length debut album, slated to drop later this year. In the meantime, he can also be heard on Gym Class Heroes frontman Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire,” also helmed by The Smeezingtons.

“If you like ‘Nothin’ on You’ and you like ‘Billionaire,’ that’s what you’re going to get,” he told EW.com. “You’re going to get these melodies. And I’m going to be singing the shit out of it.”