performer. he was dropped from motown records then changed his business plan and began writing and producing songs for other artists. ♪ got nothing on you >> reporter: his big break came in 2010 doing vocals for two songs he helped write. "nothing on you" and "billionaire" ♪ i want to be billionaire >> reporter: his debut album, a success. ♪ amazing just the way you are >> reporter: and landed mars two number one hits. n ♪ catch a grenade for you >> reporter: album number two reached number one. ♪ oh, yeah, yeah. oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ >> reporter: and the accompanying tour brought in $46 million so far. ♪ that i should have bought you flowers ♪ and held your hand ♪ >> reporter: altogether, mars sold 115 million singles