With his first high-profile gig singing the hook on B.o.B’s number one single “Nothin’ on You,” Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Bruno Mars is striking while the iron’s hot. Following the success of his debut EP It’s Better If You Don’t Understand, the Hawaii native is prepping the release of his anticipated first full-length album Doo Wops & Hooligans, due in stores October 5.


Doo Wops, available for pre-order August 31, is set to be a melting pot of genres including reggae, folk and ’50s pop. Fans can get a taste of what the album has to offer by checking out the first single “Just the Way You Are,” which has already cracked the topped the Top 3 on iTunes’ Top Singles Chart. Director Ethan Lader (B.o.B, Kidz in the Hall) will helm the video for the track, with a premiere date set for early November.

The 23-year-old, who is currently seeing success crooning on Travie McCoy’s smash “Billionaire,” got his start after moving to L.A. post-high school, joining forces with Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine to form the songwriting trio dubbed The Smeezingtons. After helping pen tracks for Justin Bieber, Flo Rida and Sean Kingston, Mars stepped into the spotlight by singing on “Nothin’ on You,” putting his solo career on the fast track.

Making his New York City live debut tonight, Mars will hit the road as opening act on a few of Maroon 5’s upcoming October gigs, followed by an international tour opening for McCoy.