By Adele (Written by Bruno Mars)
Bruno Mars performs onstage at EIF Women’s Cancer Research Fund’s 16th Annual “An Unforgettable Evening” presented by Saks Fifth Avenue. Photo Joe Scarnici/Getty Images
“All I Ask” was originally released by English singer Adele Adkins, in November of 2015. However, unbeknownst to most people the song was written in collaboration with pop music sensation Bruno Mars. Mars hails from Honolulu, Hawaii and is a perfect example of a mixed person culturally. His father is of half Puerto Rican and half Ashkenazi Jewish descent, while his mother immigrated to the United States when she was four years old and is of Spanish and Filipino ancestry. The mix of cultures that Mars was exposed to through his parents’ diverse cultural backgrounds introduced him to a variety of musical genres. It is this variety and the early musical influence of his parents and six siblings that helped make Mars the incredibly talented and well-rounded musician that he is today.
Due to his diverse array of musical influences such as rock, hip hop, R&B, and reggae, Mars’ music often did not reflect his given Latino surname, Hernandez. In a 2013 interview with GQ, Mars discusses this issue. The article shares that, “After Mars moved to Los Angeles at 17, there were various misfires—a contract with Motown, a spell with Will.i.am’s management—and a few years in the wilderness. One problem was his name. He parodies the kind of response he would get: ‘Your last name’s Hernandez, maybe you should do this Latin music, this Spanish music…. Enrique’s so hot right now.’” It was responses like this one that lead Mars to eventually change his name and exemplify how a person’s cultural background can severely limit their opportunities.