In an industry often driven by the pressure to release new albums, Bruno Mars flipped the script in 2025—dominating global charts with no solo album in nearly a decade. Instead, he delivered two record-breaking hits: “APT.” featuring BLACKPINK’s ROSÉ and “Die With a Smile” with Lady Gaga. The results? A staggering 26 combined weeks atop the Billboard Global 200, reaffirming Mars’s place as a genre-defying force in modern music.
Chart Domination Without a Solo Album
Since the release of his last solo album, 24K Magic, in 2016, Mars has leaned into high-impact collaborations and his work with Silk Sonic. But 2025 marked a new peak, driven by strategic partnerships and sonic innovation.
His track “APT.” dominated the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart for a record-breaking 19 weeks, and led the Global 200 for 16 weeks in early 2024 before becoming a global hit well into 2025. Meanwhile, “Die With a Smile” tied for the longest reign atop the Global 200 that year, holding the No. 1 spot for 10 weeks.
Both singles broke streaming records. “Die With a Smile” crossed 2 billion streams on Spotify by March 2025 and became one of the fastest songs ever to reach 1 and 2 billion. Its Mars-directed music video hit 1 billion views on YouTube by May, ultimately winning the 2025 Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. On the other hand, “APT.” became the highest-selling digital single worldwide in Q1 2025, with over 171,000 digital sales and dominant placement across Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and iTunes.
Mastering the Art of Collaboration
A major factor behind Mars’s 2025 success was his ability to seamlessly collaborate with globally influential artists. Pairing with Lady Gaga and BLACKPINK’s ROSÉ helped bridge audiences across genres and continents.
Gaga’s dramatic flair meshed with Mars’s retro-pop style in “Die With a Smile,” creating an emotional ballad with wide appeal. Meanwhile, ROSÉ’s presence on “APT.” marked a cultural milestone: she became the first female K-pop soloist to enter the Billboard Hot 100 top five, with the track’s bright pop sound helping K-pop further infiltrate the global mainstream.
From Gaga’s piano balladry to ROSÉ’s vibrant energy, Mars’s musical flexibility allowed him to transcend trends, tapping into diverse cultural moments while remaining unmistakably himself. His minimal promotion and authentic sound let the music speak for itself—and audiences listened.
Why 2025 Was Bruno Mars’s Year
Several key strategies helped define Mars’s remarkable year:
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Collaborative power: Strategic pairings with ROSÉ and Gaga created massive crossover potential.
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Genre versatility: Mars blended pop, R&B, funk, and K-pop to reach fans of all backgrounds.
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Hit-first mindset: Rather than releasing an album, he focused on two singles with massive global impact.
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Digital dominance: His streaming numbers and social media virality kept him front and center all year.
As of January 2025, Mars had two of the top five most streamed songs on Spotify Global—a feat unmatched by any other artist that year.
The Takeaway
Bruno Mars’s triumphant 2025 offers a masterclass in modern pop success. Without the need for a traditional album rollout, he captivated the world with carefully crafted singles and visionary collaborations. His ability to evolve with the times—while staying true to his sound—cemented his legacy as one of pop music’s most enduring and innovative icons.
As critics and fans alike look back on this standout year, one thing is certain: Bruno Mars doesn’t need to flood the market. He simply makes the music that moves the world—and lets the music do the talking.
