Bruno Mars: Billboard Artist of the Year Cover Story

Jukebox Hero: How did Bruno Mars become Billboard’s Artist of the Year? He grabbed hold of the album and single charts and never let go

It's a few days before the Grammy Award nominations are announced, and Bruno Mars is shaking off predictions with an easy laugh. Eventually, he'll score four noms-including record and song of the year for "Locked Out of Heaven"-but for the moment about all he wants to say is, "It's nice to get dressed up and take your lady out."

In part that's because right now Mars is processing another achievement: Billboard's top artist of the year for 2013. Kicked back on the arm of a gray sofa inside West Hollywood's Quixote Studios, the singer/songwriter/producer-wearing dark blue jeans, a red and black plaid shirt and black Vans, no socks-is also the first male to claim the title since 2008. As he thanks Billboard for the honor, the smiling Mars ruminates, "What makes you artist of the year? Can we throw 'best jump shot' in there?"

During a year defined by mainstream breakouts (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Imagine Dragons), pop divas (Taylor Swift, P!nk, Rihanna, Katy Perry) and retro R&B (Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke), Mars' artist of the year nod may come as a surprise. But as if on a stealth mission, the adventurous "Unorthodox Jukebox" commanded a steady presence on the Billboard 200 following its No. 2 debut last December. Remaining in the top 20 every week since then through the Sept. 14 issue, the Atlantic album hit No. 1 in its 12th week. To date, Unorthodox Jukebox has sold 1.8 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The year-end top artist tally also factors in activity on the Billboard Hot 100. Mars' album spun off three top 10 singles: "Locked Out of Heaven" (six weeks at No. 1), "When I Was Your Man" (No. 1 for a week) and "Treasure" (No. 5). Also figured into the equation are social, ringtone and Billboard Boxscore data. In the lattermost instance, Mars' Moonshine Jungle world tour finished at No. 23 on Billboard's Top 25 Tours list (see story, page 146). Kicking off June 22 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., the sold-out arena trek has thus far logged 48 dates in North America-including two nights at the Staples Center-posting a total attendance of 667,000 with a gross of $46.4 million.

The Mars machine revs up again in 2014. His world tour resumes Feb. 28 with 10 dates in Australia and New Zealand. Then it's on to Asia, beginning March 20 in Bangkok before heading to Mexico City on Sept. 2. Another North American leg, which starts this summer, will be announced shortly. But in the meantime, Mars has several other engagements to fulfill.