It's a tragic day for Bruno Mars.
The singer's mother, Bernadette Hernandez, died suddenly on Saturday of a brain aneurysm, the Associated Press reports. Hernandez was just 55 years old. Hernandez, a hula dancer in Honolulu, migrated from the Phillipines and was instrumental in nurturing her son's musical talents. 
Mars, born Peter Gene Hernandez, is one of six children and performed with his family in a band called The Love Notes while growing up in Hawaii. His mother was also a singer, and exposed her children at a young age to artists like Michael Jackson, The Isley Brothers and The Temptations. The early education has clearly impacted Mars' musical style today.
The Grammy-winning artist was scheduled to embark on a U.S. tour later this month. No word on whether it will proceed as scheduled. 
Another groundbreaking artist, Andre 3000 of Outkast, lost his mother earlier this week. Sharon Benjamin-Hodo died in her sleep in Atlanta, Georgia on Dre's 38th birthday.

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