Bruno Mars
The Story of Mark Ronson: From DJ and Behind the Scenes Producer to Superstar
Mark Ronson in the studio. (Rolling Stone)
Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk” spent 14 weeks at number one this year, tying for the longest run at the top so far this century. However, the British DJ/producer had largely worked in the shadows of the artists he produced until then, like Adele and Amy Winehouse. Despite winning three Grammy awards for his work with Winehouse, it took years before Ronson achieved mainstream success as a solo artist.
CBS News recently aired an interview with Ronson about his dynamic career, from being a DJ and producing behind the scenes to evolving into a successful solo act. The eight-minute piece explores his relationship with Winehouse, the grueling process of recording “Uptown Funk” with Bruno Mars, and how it feels to have a number one song.
Related: Mark Ronson Makes Hits by Combining Real Musicians with Technology
‘Uptown Funk’ Sung in Cartoon Voices
Once a song becomes a hit, it’s only a matter of time until numerous cover versions pop up on YouTube. This new take on Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk” is something different, though. Watch above as YouTuber Mikey Bolts sings the funky smash in multiple cartoon voices, including characters from “Family Guy,” “King of the Hill” and “American Dad.”
Related: South Park Makes Fun of Music Production
Mark Ronson’s ‘Uptown Funk’ Receives Trap Remix by Instant Party
A trap remix of Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk”? You know it was going to happen. Enter Instant Party, an up-and-coming DJ/producer from Seattle that’s been making a lot of noise lately (pun intended). His bass-heavy remixes have already received support from heavyweights such as Diplo, Flosstradamus, Steve Aoki, DVBBS, and our homie Lil Jon, who put us on to his new offering.
Stream and download the remix exclusively at DJcity:
[djc url=http://www.djcity.com/digital/mark-ronson-uptown-funk-instant-party-trap-remix—42637.htm]
Download: Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk – Instant Party Trap Remix
Follow Instant Party: Facebook | Instagram | SoundCloud | Twitter
Related: Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars Perform ‘Uptown Funk’ on SNL
Mark Ronson Makes Hits by Combining Real Musicians with Technology
Before Mark Ronson produced “Uptown Funk,” the British DJ/producer/musician was best known for crafting Amy Winehouse’s breakthrough album, Back to Black, which includes the Grammy-winning smash, “Rehab.” Eight years later, Ronson’s career is poised to reach new heights, thanks to the success of his Bruno Mars-assisted anthem.
Currently the fourth most Shazamed song in the world and number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, “Uptown Funk” shows no signs of slowing. The track’s success didn’t come easy though, as it took half a year to finish.
During an interview with sports and entertainment website Grantland, Ronson spoke about the recording process of “Uptown Funk” and his preference for live instrumentation. Here’s what we learned from the interview:
“Uptown Funk” almost didn’t happen.
“It nearly self-destructed, like, 18 times because, you know, you get the seed of something that seems so magical and every time you go in to try and finish it or write the second verse, it never feels genuine or like the way it worked when you were doing it the first time … And the song would have these kinds of sessions, like two days straight, and, man, I’m just exhausted. Bruno would be like, ‘Sh#t, man, it breaks my heart, but maybe this song just wasn’t meant to be.'”
He thinks producers now use technology as a crutch.
“The ’80s were amazing because it was really when there were all these revolutions in producing styles, drum machines, samplers, and you had all these awesome records. You pick any one of them and none of them could have been made even five years prior — thinking of things like ‘The Reflex’ by Duran Duran, or Cyndi Lauper. All those records were great pop records and fully immersed in the best technology of their time, whereas now when we make records, we only use technology as a crutch to fix things.”
He believes people respond differently to real musicians.
“When I use technology, it’s not to fix things or to rob anyone’s human experience of listening to music … Maybe that’s why ‘Uptown Funk’ or ‘Rehab’ or any of these records jump out when you hear them at first, because something tells you that those are real people playing, and they’re the real musicians. Whatever it is, the human brain can hear that, whether you know what the difference is or not.”
He hopes to make hits for a long time.
“Richard Russell, who started XL Recordings, once told me, ‘The only thing you don’t want to sound like is something that came out last year.’ … Quincy [Jones] was, like, well into his fifties when he did ‘Thriller.’ I think I just want to be able to make good music. I don’t mind if I’m old or gray or bald or whatever it is.”
Download “Uptown Funk” and its remixes on DJcity.
Related: Mark Ronson’s Vinyl Collection
Mark Ronson Talks Working with Bruno Mars
DJ/producer/musician Mark Ronson recently visited New York’s 92.3 AMP Radio to chat about working with Bruno Mars on his new single “Uptown Funk.” The Grammy-winning producer, who spoke with DJ Toro, discussed how the collaboration came about, what his goals as a producer are, and which DJs inspired him when he was growing up.
“I love making records that stand out when you hear them — that’s the ultimate goal.”
Ronson also revealed that his forthcoming album is co-produced and co-written by Jeff Bhasker, who’s best known for his work on Jay Z’s “Run This Town,” Kanye West’s “All of the Lights” and Fun’s “We Are Young.” Ronson also said the album will feature A$AP Rocky, Mystikal, Stevie Wonder, Kevin Parker from Tame Impala and a new singer which he discovered in a Mississippi church.
“Uptown Funk” is currently the 8th most Shazamed song in the US and was the 8th most downloaded song on DJcity in November.
Related: Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars Perform ‘Uptown Funk’ on SNL
Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars Perform ‘Uptown Funk’ on SNL
Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars performed their throwback jam “Uptown Funk” with a full band on Saturday Night Live last night. The song is currently #2 on DJcity’s chart and the ninth most-Shazamed in the US.
Download: Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk
Related: Mark Ronson Drops ‘Uptown Funk’ Video ft. Bruno Mars
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