BRUNO MARS IN TORONTO FOR "DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS TOUR" AT KOOL HAUS (PICS & VIDEO)

Mr. Will-W. & Bruno Mars

Ladies and Gentleman, I'd like to introduce you to your 2011 Grammy Winner for Best New Artist. Or the most deserving Artist at least.  In such a short period of time, we've seen Bruno Mars' star rise like no other Arti$t, and with two number one hits - Just the Way You Are (solo) and Nothin' on You (collaboration with B.o.B.) - and a Top Five collaboration in Travie McCoy's Billionaire already under his belt, equally  big things are expected of his next solo single Grenade.

Making his first ever appearance in Canada at Toronto's Kool Haus tonight, Bruno Mars was showcased as the headliner of KISS 92.5's Haus Party. The evening featured a variety of new Canadian talent like Aleesia, Blake McGrath and Danny Fernandes, but the act everybody was there to see finally arrived on-stage at 10:00 PM sharp.  Fronting a five  man-Band and playing both the Guitar and Ukulele, Bruno Mars showed that he is equally adept a Performer as he is a bona fide Musician not unlike a young Prince. And that voice is a reminder of the deep imprint Michael Jackson has left on even the newest generation of talent.

Zipping through a rather short Set, the Hawaii native delivered energetic, ramped-up renditions highlighting his debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans. Grenade translated well live as did the sultry Reggae-infused Our First Time featuring his touring MC, which featured the 23 year-old well in his element. Count on Me had the ladies in the audience singing along in unison, while his Mash-up of Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit/Michael Jackson's Billie Jean/The White Stripes' Seven Nation Army was a pleasant surprise, livening up the audience which had already been standing for four hours. The performance we all were waiting for was his set-closing Billboard Hot 100 Chart-topping Just the Way You Are. Fans who filled the venue to capacity were ecstatic and did much of the singing.

The night had only just begun at that point for Bruno Mars and his Band as they were to trek up north to Vaughan's Luxy Night Club for yet another appearance right after the Concert for Z103.5.

I got to meet the incredibly down-to-earth Artist after the show and despite being in a hurry, he still took Photos with Fans and signed a couple albums; his Security Guard advisied him against it. My only complaint to him was that his Set was far too short despite being wonderful, to which he replied "What? Really?? You wanted it even longer?!". Of course, I did. And I suppose that is expected of an Artist with only one ten-track Disc in his Discography. Always leave them wanting more, right?

WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO SEE BRUNO MARS LIVE AT KOOL KAUS

You Mavenati, are the luckiest.  Warner Music's hottest new act Bruno Mars wants to offer you a pair of tickets to see the Singer/Songwriter live at Toronto's Kool Haus on Saturday, September 13, 2010.   The Just the Way You Are singer will be appearing with very special guests on his Doo-Wops & Hooligans Tour presented by LiveNation and Kiss 92.5.

Even if you can't win the prize, everybody wins because v. affordable tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster. 

To qualify for the win all you have to do is Tweet or ReTweet the following message in full: 

MR. WILL-W. wants you to see BRUNO MARS LIVE IN TORONTO. RT to win. @mrwillw http://fb.me/xL2pelZ7

A winner will be picked at random Sunday, November 7, 2010 midnight.  Good luck!  Tell me, which Blog again gives it to you best?

WIN 1 of 3 COPIES OF BRUNO MARS' DEBUT ALBUM "DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS"

Hey Mavenati!  Warner Music Canada and Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven are teaming up to offer you 1 of 3 copies of Bruno Mars' superb debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans.  Headlined by U.S. and Canada Billboard Hot 100 Chart-topping hit Just The Way You Are and chalk-full of potential hits, this album is the promise of a new King of Pop.

Read my review of the album here.

To qualify for the win, leave a comment with your lyric in Just the Way You Are before Friday, October 22, 2010 midnight. Three winners will be picked at random. Contest is open to all internationally.  One comment per reader, please.  Doo-Wops & Hooligans is now in-stores.

BRUNO MARS - DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS REVIEW

Honolulu native Bruno Mars (né Peter Hernandez) has showered the galaxy of Pop Music like a Meteor with debut single Just the Way You Are reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Chart only recently - impressive by any measure for a new artist. His debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans although bizarre sounding, is v. fitting of the sound he has helmed for himself along with the likes of Claude Kelly (Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears) and Needlz (Drake, Young Jeezy). It is one part Hip-Hop Swagger and one part Melodic Crooner.

It would be redundant to reflect on the strength of that chart-topping debut single, but does Bruno Mars deliver on this concise ten-song collection? The answer is YES.  In this day and age of forgettable Autotune-heavy releases, everything is there on this disc. A cut-above vocals, strong hooks, infectious rhythms and just enough production so that the audience never fails to lose focus of the star. If you think Just the Way You Are is solid, wait til you hear follow-up worthy Talking to the Moon, which should have the likes of Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic) and Adam Levine (Maroon 5) feeling just a bit of that healthy competitive envy.

Doo-Wops & Hooligans is stuck perpetually in Summertime, heavy on the Island influence with tracks like Liquor Store Blues (ft. Damian Marley) and the sensually nostalgic Our First Time. And what is most wonderful is that Mars is proud of his roots and we can hear him pay homage to this on tracks like Count on Me. The excellent Cee-Lo and red-hot B.o.B. drop by even for a visit on the album's closer The Other Side, adding a bit of substance to the big picture.

Bruno Mars' Doo Wops & Hooligans from Warner Music is in stores October 5, 2010 and it's more than just your average R&B/Urban-Pop romp. Freshness. Grade: A-