Bruno Mars Is Billboard’s Artist Of The Year

Christina Lee | December 14, 2013 9:17 am

Bruno Mars has been crowned Billboard‘s Artist of the Year. The reasons? An album that stayed in Top 20 territory throughout the year (Unorthodox Jukebox), a world tour that continues on into next year (Moonshine Jungle), and an upcoming gig as the next Super Bowl halftime performer. In short: He proved to be reliable.

Billboard admits that Mars may come as a “surprise” winner, in a year defined by breakout stars, pop divas and retro R&B — in general too, people who rolled out huge promo campaigns if not ruled the headlines. (Clearly, the trade mag had also decided to crown Mars before Beyonce hit.) In a Q&A, Mars even deferred to such a name as he paused the conversation and proposes to do something “different.”

“This is what Gaga would do,” he says, as he turns his back toward the camera.

Did Billboard make the right choice? Read the cover story, then let us know below or on Facebook and Twitter.

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