#USA #New York City #Global Citizen #SoundCloud #Mars Rodriguez

Mars Rodriguez Set to Shine at Global Citizen Festival

The music world is abuzz with excitement as Mars Rodriguez, a talented one-person band and visual artist, has been named America's Next Top Hitmaker for 2025. Originally hailing from Nicaragua and currently based in New York City, Mars has captured the hearts of many with her unique and powerful sound, which beautifully blends elements of industrial rock, noise pop, Latin rock, and electronic music. Winning this prestigious title places her at the forefront of the music industry, offering her a chance to perform on a global stage.

A New Era of Music

Mars emerged as the champion after competing against thousands of skilled artists in the America's Next Top Hitmaker competition, a project spearheaded by Colossal, a leading professional fundraising organization. This victory not only comes with a substantial cash prize of $50,000 but also offers Mars a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the lineup of the renowned Global Citizen Festival scheduled for September 27, 2025. Sharing the stage with the likes of The Weeknd, Shakira, Tyla, Ayra Starr, and Mariah the Scientist further highlights Mars's rising star power.

With such a formidable lineup, the upcoming festival promises to be an unforgettable experience. Scheduled to open the festival, Mars will not only showcase her musical talent but also advocate for a vital cause—the movement to eradicate extreme poverty. In partnership with Global Citizen, she is determined to make a significant impact and inspire others through her performance.

Raising Funds for a Cause

The America's Next Top Hitmaker competition was a resounding success, raising over $2 million to support Global Citizen, which is dedicated to fighting extreme poverty and promoting sustainable development. The initiative mobilizes countless individuals globally, pushing for real change across various sectors, including music, entertainment, policy, and philanthropy. To date, Global Citizen has positively influenced the lives of more than 1.3 billion people, and the funds raised will help ensure access to education for 30,000 children, protect vast areas of the Amazon rainforest, and extend energy access to one million individuals in Africa.

Colossal's CEO, Mary Hagen, expressed her enthusiasm for Mars's victory, stating, "Mars represents the future of music—bold, original, and unafraid to push boundaries. We can’t wait to watch her light up the Global Citizen Festival stage." The excitement is palpable as fans eagerly await her performance, knowing that it will not only be an extraordinary musical experience but also contribute to a world-changing cause.

A Celebration of Music and Impact

Adding to the celebrations, sound streaming platform SoundCloud is highlighting Mars's triumph with a stunning billboard in Times Square, showcasing her as a beacon of hope and talent. As an artist-first platform, SoundCloud continues to empower musicians like Mars to flourish in their careers and reach broader audiences.

In addition, Fender, a legendary musical brand celebrated for shaping the sound of modern music, is also supporting Mars in her journey. With its iconic electric guitars and passionate dedication to musicianship, Fender is reinforcing Mars's unique sound and artistic vision.

With such remarkable backing, it's evident that Mars Rodriguez is more than just a talented artist; she symbolizes the relentless spirit of creativity, innovation, and advocacy. This festival performance is just the beginning as she aims to inspire others to join the movement against poverty while revolutionizing the music industry.

As the Global Citizen Festival approaches, fans and supporters are reminded to stay connected with Mars's journey on social media and look out for her feature in an upcoming issue of Rolling Stone magazine, where her story will further inspire and resonate with many. The future looks incredibly bright for Mars Rodriguez, and her journey has just begun.