Finding a replacement for Bruno Mars is basically impossible. You can’t just "replace" a guy who dances like James Brown, sings like a Motown legend, and somehow makes a silk shirt look like a reasonable clothing choice in 2026.
Honestly, most of us are just chasing that specific high—that mix of thick basslines, 80s synth-pop, and genuine, "I’m-about-to-steal-your-heart" soul. If you've played 24K Magic into the ground and your Spotify Wrapped is just Silk Sonic on loop, you've probably realized that "Pop" isn't enough. You need the funk.
People usually get one thing wrong about Bruno: they think he's just a retro act. He’s not. He’s a chameleon who understands that a good groove is timeless. To find artists similar to Bruno Mars, you have to look for musicians who aren't just copying the past, but are actively trying to make you move your hips in a grocery store aisle.
The Silk Sonic Connection: Anderson .Paak
If you like Bruno, you probably already know Anderson .Paak from their Silk Sonic era. But if you haven't dug into his solo catalog, you’re missing out on the other half of that DNA.
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Anderson is arguably more "raw" than Bruno. While Bruno is the polished, ultimate showman, .Paak is the gritty, drumming-and-singing-at-the-same-time powerhouse. His album Malibu is essential listening. It's got that same sun-drenched, California soul vibe, but with a bit more hip-hop edge. Songs like "Am I Wrong" have that high-octane energy that makes Bruno’s live shows so addictive.
The Smooth Operators: Lucky Daye and Victoria Monét
There’s a specific sub-genre of R&B right now that feels like it was grown in a petri dish using 1978 soul records. Lucky Daye is at the forefront of this.
Recently, Bruno actually produced a track for him called "That's You." If you listen to it, you can hear the Smeezingtons-style production all over it. Lucky has this buttery voice that feels like a direct descendant of the softer side of Unorthodox Jukebox. He doesn't just sing; he glides over the production.
Then you have Victoria Monét.
Her album JAGUAR II is essentially the female counterpart to the funk revival we’ve been seeing. Tracks like "On My Mama" use that West Coast brass and heavy bass that Bruno fans crave. She’s got the choreography, the aesthetic, and the ability to make a modern song feel like it’s been a classic for forty years.
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The Retro-Soul Purists: Leon Bridges and Durand Jones
Sometimes you don't want the "pop" part of the equation. You just want the soul.
Leon Bridges started out as the "Coming Home" guy—straight 1960s Sam Cooke vibes. But as he evolved, especially around the Good Thing era, he started leaning into a more "uptown" sound. "Bad Bad News" is a track that could easily sit on a playlist between "Treasure" and "Perm." It’s jazzy, it’s arrogant in the best way, and it’s got a groove that doesn't quit.
If you want something a bit more explosive, check out Durand Jones & The Indications.
They are a bit more underground, but their track "Witchoo" is a masterpiece of modern disco-funk. It has that falsetto-heavy chorus that reminds you of "Leave the Door Open," but with a slightly more indie-rock sensibility. It’s the kind of music you play at a backyard BBQ when you want people to start dancing before the food is even ready.
The Genre-Benders: Janelle Monáe and Lawrence
We can't talk about showmanship without mentioning Janelle Monáe.
She is perhaps the only person on this list who can match Bruno’s stage presence. Her "precision-grade funk," as some critics call it, is deeply rooted in the Prince school of music. If you like the high-energy, horn-heavy sections of Bruno’s work, The ArchAndroid or Dirty Computer are your new bibles.
Then there’s Lawrence, a sibling duo (Clyde and Gracie Lawrence) that has been tearing up the live circuit. They call their style "soul-pop," and it’s remarkably similar to Bruno’s earlier work like "The Lazy Song" or "Marry You," but with way more sophisticated brass arrangements. They’ve actually toured with the likes of Jon Bellion and have a way of making "nerdy" soul feel incredibly cool.
Why the "Uptown Funk" Sound is Hard to Replicate
There’s a misconception that anyone with a trumpet and a trilby hat sounds like Bruno Mars. That’s not true. The "Bruno sound" is actually a very expensive, very specific production style often handled by Mark Ronson or the Smeezingtons.
It’s about the "snap."
When you listen to a song like "Uptown Funk," the drums aren't just loud; they are crisp. Most modern pop is "mushy" in the low end. Bruno’s music is "tight."
If you’re looking for that specific technical feel, you should actually look into the producers. D'Mile, who worked extensively on Silk Sonic, has a signature touch. Anything he touches—like projects for H.E.R. or Silk Sonic—will have that analog, warm, 70s texture.
Quick Cheat Sheet: Which "Bruno" Do You Want?
Depending on your favorite Bruno Mars era, your "next favorite artist" might change:
- If you love the Doo-Wops & Hooligans era: Try Andy Grammer or MKTO. It’s more acoustic, catchy, and sunshine-pop.
- If you love the 24K Magic / Funk era: Go for The Free Nationals (Anderson .Paak's band) or Vulfpeck. These guys live for the pocket.
- If you love the Silk Sonic / Soul era: Listen to The Delfonics (the originals) or Mayer Hawthorne.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Playlist
To truly discover music that hits that same spot, don't just search for "Pop." You need to look for Modern Funk or Nu-Disco playlists.
- Follow the Producers: Search for music produced by D'Mile, Mark Ronson, or Jeff Bhasker. They are the architects of this sound.
- Check the "Originals": Bruno is a student of history. If you like him, listen to The Gap Band, The Time, and Zapp & Roger. You’ll hear exactly where he got his best ideas.
- Watch Live Sessions: Part of the Bruno appeal is the live performance. Search for NPR Tiny Desk concerts for any of the artists mentioned above. Seeing Anderson .Paak or Victoria Monét perform live will bridge the gap between "just a song" and "an experience."
The reality is that music is moving back toward "real" instruments. After a decade of heavy synth-trap, the pendulum is swinging back to live bass, real horns, and actual singing. While there might only be one Bruno Mars, the world of modern soul and funk is wider than it's been in thirty years.
Start with Lucky Daye's "That's You" and let the algorithm do the rest. You'll find that the "Bruno vibe" isn't a fluke—it's a movement.
Next Steps:
Go to your streaming service and create a "Modern Funk" station starting with Victoria Monét’s "On My Mama" or Anderson .Paak’s "Come Down." These tracks serve as the perfect gateway to the broader world of contemporary soul that Google's basic "similar artists" tabs often miss.