"Bonde do Brunão" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars. It was official released on June 18, 2025, for digital download and streaming by The Smeezingtons under exclusive license to Atlantic Records. The single officially impacted Italian radio on the aforementioned date. The song was written by Mars alongside Jeremy Reeves, Jonathan Yip and Ray Romulus. It was produced by the former and the latter three as the Stereotypes, who also did programming.
The track was supposed to only be used as a promotional tour song in Brazil, however, Mars's Instagram video that featured the song had more than 13 million likes, 2 million shares and 687 thousand comments beside various creations on TikTok and Reels. It eventually became the most watched video in his Instagram with 134 million views. At one point, Mars was chosen as the Fortnite Festival featured artist for Season 9. Mars tough the song would be a good fit for the video game and Fortnite agreed.
"Bonde do Brunão" is a Brazilian funk song performed in Portuguese. Lyrically, the song addresses Mars arrival in Brazil and because of that the party is now in Brazil. It received praise from publications, despite some accusations of cultural appropriation. The song not only pays homage to Brazil, but also draws inspiration and parodies "Cerol na Mão" (2001) by Bonde do Tigrão. The official music video was directed by Daniel Ramos and released alongside the song, includes visual elements of the Brazilian culture intercuted with footage taken during Mars's tour in Brazil. Mars started to include verses of the song during his performance of "Perm" on his tour in Brazil.
Background
On September 11, 2023, after performing two shows at The Town festival in São Paulo, Mars posted a video on Instagram and Twitter. The track has a "funk beat" and repeats several times "Come to Brazil" and his nickname "Bruninho". One of the strong points of the singer's tribute was the use of the meme "como to Brazil".[1] The video, which pays homage to Brazil and thanks the fans, was directed by Daniel Ramos.[2][3] The song, titled "Bruninho's Theme Song", was produced by the Stereotypes with vocals by D'Mile.[3]
In the video Mars dances and walks in different streets in São Paulo, including Pacaembu and Jardins, wearing a Brasil football jersey to a funk sound that says "Come To Brasil". It starts in the facade of a Childhood Education Center in the background, then it moves to the top of a building, which appears to have been shot in Hotel Fasano. It is followed with a graffiti in the background painted by street artist Eduardo Kobra. Next to the graffiti there are two steep staircases, that were recorded from different angles as Mars walks down.[4] The video has footage from the shows with fans having fun and getting emotional.[1]
In 2024, Mars performed in 15 shows in Brazil in five different cities and "Bonde do Brunão" was used as part of the promotion for the shows. The song was first made available on Mars's TikTok profile after his shows in Brazil. The song became viral, with over 13 million likes, 2 million shares and 687 thousand comments beside various creations on TikTok and Reels.[5][6] On November 25, 2024, it became the most watched video in Mars's instagram with 134 million views.[7]
The video starts with Mars getting a tattoo of Cristo Redentor in his chest, dancing Brazilian funk along with a community in Belo Horizonte and striking a pose with a Caramelo dog, a symbol of Brazil. The footage shows the singer in São Paulo at a bar, Botequim De Primeira, in Vila Madalena drinking cachaça and eating various snacks, including pão de queijo.[8] The video also shows him hosting a party as a DJ, riding a motorcycle and includes footage of his shows in Brasil.[9] The video ends with a final message "Eu te amo Brasil, Bruninho will return..."[10] The footnote of the video said "Mais de um mês no Brasil e nunca mais serei o mesmo".[11]
Development
The idea of recording "Bonde do Brunão" arose during the last show of the tour in Brazil, in November 2024. At the time, Mars presented an improvisation of the song as a goodbye gift to Brazilian fans. The song went viral on various social platforms and fans asked for the official release of the track.[12]
Mars has first appeared on the Battle Royale of Fortnite as a part of Silk Sonic in 2021 [5] The singer revealed that before the launch of the Festival Season 9 he didn't hesitated on collaborate again. Mars recalled that when they collaborated in 2021 there wasn't a Fortnite Festival, so he was eager to add more music.[13] At one point, they decided the song would be a good fit for the game and Fortnite agreed.[13] In June 2025, it was announced that he would appear as the Fortnite Festival featured artist for Season 9.[6] This was also announced on his official website.[14]
Release
"Bonde do Brunão" was only as a promotional tour song.[5] Mars explained that it was "a fun idea we put up on Instagram while I was in Brazil", but it "took a life of its own".[13][12] The song was first previewed in November 2024.[15] To commemorate Mars as the Fortnite Festival featured artist for Season 9, the full version of "Bonde do Brunão" officially premiered via Fortnite on June 18, 2025.[5][6] On the same date, it was officially released in various countries via digital download and streaming by The Smeezingtons under exclusive license to Atlantic Records.[16] It was only made available on Apple Music a day later.[17] The song was sent to officially impact Italian radio stations on the aforementioned date by Warner Music Italy.[18] The art cover features the outline of the Brazilian country with green and yellow colors as a tribute to the country.[19][20]
Composition
"Bonde do Brunão" is a Brazilian funk song performed in Portuguese.[19][21] Lyrically, the addresses Mars arrival in Brazil and because of that the party is now in Brazil.[5] The song not only pays homage to Brazil, but also draws inspiration and parodies "Cerol na Mão" (2001) by Bonde do Tigrão.[22][23] "Bonde do Brunão" is an energetic parody of the aforementioned song and also an homage to Brazilian funk, including slang and music.[12] The singer adapted his vocals to the Brazilian funk style and also used various Brazilian catchphrases to get closer to the targeted audience.[19][20]
"Bonde do Brunão" was written by Mars, Johnathan Yip, Ray Romulus and Jeremy Reeves. It was produced by the former and the latter three as the Stereotypes, who also did programming. Yip was in charge of the percussion, Romulus played the synthesizer, while Reeves played the bass and also served as the mix and mastering engineer. Charles Moniz was the recording engineer.[24] The song's production included several Brazilian music professionals to assure the song's authenticity.[20]
Reception
"Bonde do Brunão" received positive reviews from publications. O Antagonista affirmed the release of the song symbolizes a bond, celebrating cultural diversity and the exchange of different music styles.[20] The publication, Terra, mentioned the track shows irreverence, respect and authenticity. A combo that has been prevalent on the artist's career. They added that when there is "authentic" and "respect" the mix of culture can produce unexpected results. Mars didn't only released a song. He created a bridge between worlds, celebrating Brazil with humor, rithm and "muito gingado".[12] The latter publication, mentioned the release of "Bonde Do Brunão", Mars became one of the few international artists that sings a song in Portuguese and dives in the Brazilian culture. This song reveals the trend of music globalization and that language and cultural barriers are overcome through art.[12]
Mars was accused of cultural appropriation.[25][17][12] Nevertheless, others praised Mars for paying tribute as he "celebrates the roots of Rio funk by interpreting verses and melodies typical of this musical genre". The singer also parodies with "the use of humor demonstrate the intention to play with the original theme, redefining its message." It is also seen as a collaboration despite being produced by foreign artists as it displays "respect and recognition for Brazilian culture."[22][12]
Fortnite Festival and live performances
Fortnite included an emote of Mars inspired on the dance of "Bonde do Brunão" and skin titled "Estilo Bruninho" with a yellow and green t-shirt inspired on the one he used on his Instagram post.[26] On the game, Mars transforms into a playable avatar with a skin based on the song.[13] Players would be able to acquire certain items in-game individually and some were exclusive to the "World Tour" bundle.[6][13][27]
At the beginning of his show Mars said "Bruninho, voltou" an enounces "porra".[28] During Mars's tour in Brazil, the performance of "Perm" included the verses "Desce até o chão, esse é o bonde do Brunão".[11] During the song "Calling all My Lovelies", he added the words "gatinha", "gostosa" and the verse "eu quero você, gatinha gostosa" as he holds a telephone, waiting for the call to be answered, but ending on the voice mail.[28] Some songs are played in the piano during his live shows, Mars also mentioned where are the "solteiras" and that he is "facinho".[28]
Impact
In 2023, Nathalia Nunes, branding and experience design specialist, commented on the video "This trail from before, during, and after the show was crucial for stimulating and building fan loyalty".[1]
In 2024, Ludmilla Correia from Bilboard Brasil noticed the singer "has been...riding the Brazil Core wave. This movement...has reached the world of music and even fashion, consists of representing national identity through colors and symbols." Guilherme Umeda, social communicator and PhD professor of design at ESPM college commented, "This type of video is becoming a formula not only for other artists, but also for Bruno himself. There's calculation, planning, and intentionality". After Mars action, other musicians such as Ne-Yo, Simple Plan, and Karol G created interactions, publications, and special products, exclusive to Brazil.[1]
In 2024, Mars performed a charity concert sponsored by Budweiser Brasil at the Tokio Marine Hall in São Paulo to help victims of the 2024 Rio Grande do Sul floods.[29] After selling out the original shows scheduled. Four more extra shows were added to the tour, the official ticket booth lines for pre-sale and general ticket sales had collection points for donations of water, non-perishable food, and clothing brought by fans to be given to those affected by the floods in Rio Grande do Sul.[30]
During Mars's stay in Brazil, besides performing 15 shows, he celebrated his birthday, attended cultural events and also watched a soccer game in Maracanã, as well as going to tradional bars in São Paulo and Belo Horizonte. He received a symbolic CPF, given by the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services.[20][31]
In early November 2024, Mars visited Laçador, a bar in Belo Horizonte, propriety of Ronaldo Teixeira. A car stopped next to the bar and three of Mars's security guards came out of it and asked if they had bear. At that point, Mars came into the bar and was served a beer he didn't drink. He told the bar owner "chama os meninos!", Teixeira called everyone around, they sat next to the bar's door while Mars danced, later Teixeira joined him. Later, Mars published a video, with the song, that included the bar, Laçador, according to Teixeira the bar became a tourist hot spot. The bar not only improved its sales numbers, but also the beer brand "Laçador" sponsored the place, buying chairs, tables and some other stuff everything with Mars's face on it. The singer greeted everyone that showed up and took several pictures.[31]
Music video
The official music video for "Bonde do Brunão" coincided with the release of the song on June 18, 2025 and was directed by Daniel Ramos.[32] It includes visual elements of the Brazilian culture.[12] Some scenes were recorded in the streets of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro where he interacts with fans, eats "coxinha" and dances with a bottle of "cachaça" in his hand.[12] These clips are intercuted with footage taken during Mars's tour in Brazil in 2024.[33]
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