> At a Glance
> – Bruno Mars announced on Jan. 5 that his next solo album is finished
> – It’s been almost 10 years since his last solo LP, 24K Magic (Nov. 2016)
> – Fans joked online about the $50 million gambling-debt rumor tied to his Vegas residency
> – Why it matters: Mars’ solo return caps a decade of hits via Silk Sonic and high-profile collabs
After nearly a decade of guest features and side projects, Bruno Mars has officially closed the book on his long-awaited solo follow-up to 24K Magic.
The Announcement
Mars, 40, posted a terse message on X Monday:
> “My album is done.”
The note ended a quiet stretch for the Hawaii-born superstar, whose last solo effort dropped in November 2016.
What He’s Been Up To
While solo material stalled, Mars stayed on the charts through partnerships:
- Silk Sonic (2021): Collaborative LP with Anderson .Paak spawned “Leave the Door Open” and “Smokin Out the Window,” netting four Grammys in 2022
- “Die with a Smile” (2024): Duet with Lady Gaga hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2025 Grammys
- “APT.” (2024): Collab with Rosé reached No. 3 and is nominated for four 2026 Grammys
- “Fat, Juicy & Wet” (2024): Team-up with Sexyy Red peaked at No. 17 and gave Mars a top-5 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
| Project | Year | Peak Chart | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K Magic | 2016 | No. 2 | 3 Grammys (inc. Album of the Year) |
| Silk Sonic | 2021 | No. 1 | 4 Grammys |
| “Die with a Smile” | 2024 | No. 1 | 1 Grammy (2025) |
| “APT.” | 2024 | No. 3 | 4 pending Grammys (2026) |
Vegas Debt Meme
Social media lit up with gambling jokes after the album news:
> “Vegas will be happy to hear”
> “Bout to be debt free”
The quips reference a March 2024 NewsNation claim that Mars racked up $50 million in gambling markers during his Park MGM residency. MGM Resorts denied the story, and Mars later poked fun at it himself:
> “Almost out of debt BehhhhhhBehhhhh!!! Preciate You ROSAAAAYYYYYY!!!!“
Key Takeaways
- Mars’ solo album is finished; no release date yet
- It follows almost 10 years of collaborative dominance
- Recent singles show he’s stayed atop pop, R&B and global charts
- The gambling-debt meme survives, but both the resort chain and Mars have downplayed it
The countdown to solo Bruno Mars music officially starts now.
