Bruno Mars is sure to be one of the most nominated artists at the upcoming 2027 Grammys. He has been a darling of the Recording Academy ever since his debut solo single, “Just the Way You Are,” netted him his first trophy more than a decade and a half ago. Since then, Mars has regularly racked up nods in the toughest fields, winning both Record of the Year and Album of the Year more than once, which remains an incredibly rare feat.
With a new full-length, The Romantic, as well as multiple eligible singles, including “I Just Might” and “Risk It All,” Mars may spread his submissions around between pop and R&B, though how the Recording Academy labels each tune is yet to be seen. Mars can make the case that “I Just Might,” the lead single from The Romantic, fits within the R&B verticals, even though many would call it a pop song.
The track is one of the longest-running No. 1s in the history of Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ranking. Chart positions and histories should not matter when it comes to the Grammys, but there may be some legitimacy in Mars aiming for categories like Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song based on its performance on R&B tallies in the U.S.
As “I Just Might” holds at No. 1 on one of Billboard’s biggest and most competitive genre-specific rankings, it moves up again on a historic list and ties one of the greatest rappers of all time.
Bruno Mars Reaches 22 Weeks at No. 1
“I Just Might” is steady at No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart this week. The smash has now spent 22 frames in the peak position on the tally that looks at the most-consumed hip-hop, R&B and rap tracks in the nation.
Bruno Mars Ties Kendrick Lamar’s Record
“I Just Might” is now tied as the second-longest-running No. 1 in the history of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Mars matches Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” which also accumulated 22 frames in first place. The Drake diss track managed its total between 2024 and 2025.
Bruno Mars Is Still Nine Weeks From the All-Time Record
Even if “I Just Might” continues to lead for several more weeks — or even another month — Mars will still have to hold on considerably longer if he wants to tie the all-time record. That distinction also belongs to Lamar, this time alongside his frequent collaborator SZA. “Luther” kept the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs tally under their control for 31 weeks between 2024 and 2025, making that period an especially successful one for Lamar.
Bruno Mars Moves Ahead of SZA
Just last frame, Mars was matched with SZA on the all-time longevity list. Her smash “Kill Bill” earned 21 turns at No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs roster. Only days ago, “I Just Might” and “Kill Bill” jointly claimed the third-longest stint in first place ever. Mars has now moved ahead, pushing “Kill Bill” down to fourth place on the historic tally.
Bruno Mars Has Ruled Through Most of 2026
“I Just Might” debuted at No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in mid-January and has largely ruled ever since, though not in an uninterrupted streak. The single has spent 29 weeks on the tally, 22 of them at No. 1. “I Just Might” has only been away from the top spot for seven weeks in total.
Bruno Mars Owns Five No. 1 Hits
“I Just Might” is one of five No. 1 hits by Mars on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ranking, and it has now ruled for more than twice as long as his second-longest-running champion. “That’s What I Like” ranks next with 10 weeks at No. 1. The track debuted on the list in December 2016 before beginning its 10-turn run in first place in April 2017.
“Leave the Door Open,” Mars’s collaboration with Anderson .Paak as the super duo Silk Sonic, spent eight weeks running the show. His two collaborations with Cardi B, “Finesse” and “Please Me,” each managed a single turn at No. 1.
