Peter Gene Hernandez, known to the world at large as Bruno Mars, has another reason to celebrate his success in 2013: he has just been named Billboard Magazine's Artist of the Year! 

According to Zap2It, Mars -- who, tragically, lost his mother this year to smoking-related cancer -- received the award because of the runaway success of his album, "Unorthodox Jukebox": it enjoyed an impressive 10-month run on the Billboard 200 chart, spawned three top 10 singles -- "Locked Out of Heaven," "When I Was Your Man," "Treasure" -- and the sexy new jam "Gorilla."  

He was also present, or winning, at nearly every awards show this year: he took home one MTV EMA, two VMAs and two Teen Choice Awards, among others.

"No one is handing Bruno Mars a record to make," Julie Greenwald, chairman/COO of Atlantic Records Group, told USA Today. "He's writing, producing with collaborative partners, singing, playing, choreographing - a quintuple threat who's great at executing his vision."

Mars, who will perform at the 2014 Super Bowl halftime show, came in No. 1 on eight of Billboard's year end lists, including "Hot 100 Artists," "Top Overall Artists," "Hot 100 Singles Airplay," "Hot Digital Songs," "Mainstream Top 40" and "Pop Digital Songs."

The singer, whom Billboard calls "boldly ambitious and gloriously irreverent," is heading back out on a North American round of his Moonshine Jungle World Tour (dates have yet to be announced). 

Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, by a family of musicians, Mars began making music at a young age and performed in various musical venues in his hometown throughout his childhood. He graduated from high school and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a musical career. Mars has also produced songs for other artists, joining production team The Smeezingtons. 

Congratulations to Bruno for a very successful year!