"I love the lore that I am a Las Vegas lounge singer in debt to the mob," the musician has previously commented when addressing the since-denied rumor

Mars was referencing the persistent rumor that he is in severe gambling debt to MGM, the company that hosts his Vegas residencies. Last year, a report claimed that Mars owed $50 million to the corporation and was continuing to play Vegas shows in order to work off his debts. MGM, however, vehemently denied the rumor.

Bruno Mars has responded with humor to rumors that he created his latest hit with Sexyy Red to clear an alleged $50 million gambling debt. The Grammy-winning singer, known for his Las Vegas residency, took to Instagram to joke about the speculation, urging fans to “keep streaming” so he could “be out of debt in no time.”