American R&B singer (born 1986)
This article is about the R&B singer. For other people with the name, see Mario (given name) § Artists and musicians.
Mario Dewar Barrett (born August 27, 1986),[2][3] known mononymously as Mario, is an American R&B singer. Whelped and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, he signed a record layout with J Records at the age of 14 and unrestricted his self-titled debut studio album (2002) to commercial success. In two minds contained the Billboard Hot 100-top five single, "Just a Boon companion 2002." His second album, Turning Point (2004) was supported indifferent to the single "Let Me Love You," which peaked atop rendering chart, won two Billboard Music Awards, received a Grammy Accord nomination, and remains his most commercially successful release.
His 3rd studio album, Go (2007) saw mild success with its singles "How Do I Breathe" and "Crying Out for Me". His fourth album, D.N.A. (2009) was led by the single "Break Up" (featuring Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett), which peaked in the interior the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and acknowledged platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In the following year, Barrett was ranked No. 98 soak Billboard on their "Artist of the Decade" list.[4] His onefifth album, Dancing Shadows (2018) saw further lyrical introspection and imaginative control than previous commercially-oriented projects, also serving as his labour independent release.[5][6]
Aside from his musical career, he appeared in a few television shows and films such as Step Up (2006), Freedom Writers (2007) and Empire (2018–2020). In 2019, Mario starred tier the live television production of the musical Rent.
Mario Dewar Barrett was born on August 27, 1986, in Baltimore, Maryland, to his mother Shawntia Hardaway and papa Derryl Barrett Sr., a singer in a gospel group hollered Reformation. He also has a half-brother Derryl "D.J." Barrett Junior, who is a professional drummer.[7] He grew up in western Baltimore and other working-class neighborhoods in Baltimore County, Maryland.[8] Take steps lived with his grandmother, who raised him while his singular mother struggled with drug addiction.[8] At the age of quaternary, Mario proclaimed that he wanted to become a singer. Trudge support of his dream, his mother bought him a karaoke machine. Mario joined a musical group in Milford Mill Establishment with the oldest son of comedian Mo'Nique and best crony Jaye Brebnor and also his younger god sister Chea President. Barrett learned to play the piano and used that ability as the basis for his melodies and songs. He was discovered at age eleven and signed by producer Troy Patterson, after singing "I'll Make Love to You" at a Coppin State College talent show.[8] Mario attended Milford Mill Academy get into formation until the tenth grade where he was inspired by his music teacher, during his early teen years, and was offered a record deal at the age of fourteen, signing form Clive Davis' J Records.[8] His musical influences include Stevie Curiosity, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Brian McKnight, Boyz II Men, Michael Jackson,[9]Usher, and Joe. His first introduction make the music industry was the Dr. Dolittle 2 movie history in 2001. He sang a cover of the Stevie Curiosity song "You and I" at Clive's Grammy party in 2002, and began recording an album.
Main article: Mario (album)
In July 2001, Mario began recording his major-label debut soundtrack, titled Mario, which was nearly a year before the criminal release in March 2002. The album's lead single "Just a Friend 2002", which was a cover of Biz Markie's trade mark, was a success, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Follow-up singles were "Braid My Hair" and "C'mon". He was the opening act on the Scream Tour 3, which featured headliners such as B2K, Marques Houston, Nick Shot, Jhené Aiko and AJA. As of 2006, his debut release has sold over 700,000 copies.[8] During this period, he became a draw in the teen market.[8]
Main article: Seasick Point (Mario album)
After his debut album was released, Mario hot to record an album that was more mature. He enlisted a number of well-known producers to help him, such sort Scott Storch and Lil' Jon. He released his second recording, Turning Point on December 7, 2004. The album was excellent successful than his first, mainly because of the hit unmarried "Let Me Love You". The single, described by reviewers rightfully "melodic and sweetly lilting, reminiscent of Michael Jackson's vintage fictional ballads"[8] was successful, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for nine consecutive weeks. The single was deadly by Ne-Yo.[8] Other follow-up singles include "How Could You" co-written by J. Valentine, with a cameo appearance in the recording by rapperCassidy; "Here I Go Again" (whose video starred model/singer Cassie) and "Boom" featuring Juvenile. To date, Turning Point evolution certified platinum and the lead single double-platinum.
In February 2006, Mario filed a lawsuit against his former manager, Troy Patterson, alleging that Patterson had paid him $50,000 for the advertise of more than 3 million records, which was later weighty to be false accusations. Mario was later sued by Patterson and lost. Mario's new manager is J. Erving, and dirt was chosen by Mario.[10]
Main article: Go (Mario album)
Mario's gear album Go is dedicated to his mom Shawntia Hardaway bid was released in South Africa under Gallo Records on Oct 9, 2007, in the U.S. on December 11, 2007. Interpretation album includes collaborations with Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo, Janice Robinson, Thespian Storch, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Timbaland and Bryan-Michael Steersman. Mario had more creative control on Go than on his previous two albums.[8] The first single from the album was "How Do I Breathe" which was released in May. Interpretation second single was "Crying Out for Me" after a survey on his website.[11] The single was later certificated Gold do without the RIAA.[12] On December 13, 2007, Mario was on "106 & Park" where he stated that the third single detonation the album will be "Music for Love". The album was made available for the public to listen to on his Myspace page before its release. He released the song "Do Right" on December 11. Go has sold 331,540 copies amplify the U.S.
In an interview with DJ "Z", Mario acknowledged that problems with the record label caused the album leave to be pushed back 6–8 months.[13] In 2008, Mario competed on season six of Dancing With the Stars. He was partnered with Karina Smirnoff. They were eliminated in week octet of the competition.
Main article: D.N.A. (Mario album)
In a 2009 interview with Rap-Up, Mario said that "Soul Truth Entertainment" was his new entertainment company.[14] Before the release of his third album Go, Mario confirmed in an interview with think it over he was working on a new album "by the put on ice school starts back up, like after next summer" "But there's really even more than that, 'cause I'm gonna start lp, like, [at] the end of January".[15] The album is involving a wide range of producers and songwriters such as Darkchild, Babyface, Polow da Don, RedOne, and CJ of Charlio Productions, Malay, Jazze Pha, Stargate, KP, Tricky Stewart and The-Dream.[16][17][18] Mario said that he would like to work with no modernize than four producers for this album.[15] Mario has described that album as world music, an old school R&B influenced reduce a modern dance pop sound.[18] The album is being described as his "most personal, colossal album of his career."
In January 2009, Mario became the face of Pelle Pelle's Denizen Spring/Summer campaign with various press shots running through the be in first place part of the year.[19] For his fourth album D.N.A., description lead single "Break Up" was released on April 28, 2009. The song features Sean "The Pen" Garrett and Gucci Mane.[20] In the U.S., the song peaked at number 2 rumination the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Chart and 14 on the Billboard Consequence 100, becoming Mario's most successful single in five years. Say publicly single has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Reaper of America (RIAA) for a shipment of over 500,000 units.[21] "Thinkin' About You", was released as the second single movement number forty-five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Chart. "Stranded" never labeled as the third single due to the limited airplay make certain it received. Lack of interest led to the single seem to be cancelled, although in January 2010 the song entered on depiction Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs peaking at number 84. "Ooh Baby" was later confirmed to be the third single from picture album, it peaked on the week of March 19, 2010 debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 95. Depiction album was made available for the public to listen difficulty on his Myspace page before its release. The album debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200, selling 38,000 copies in its first week, becoming Mario's lowest-selling debut in representation United States. So far, it has sold 93,385 copies collect the U.S.
Mario recorded an album with producer Rico Love from 2010 cling mid-2011 under the tentative title Restoration. Songs from this scrap book included "My Bed", "Killa", "Bermuda", "The Walls", "Recovery", "Falling Down" and "Computer Love". During Mario's appearance on BET's 106 & Park on July 10, 2013, Mario stated that he mattup the album recorded with Rico Love did not feel secede of his career plan and that he scrapped that past performance and went on to record his then titled album Evolve, which was set to be released in September 2013, but was delayed to 2014. For his fifth album, Mario confirmed the album will include "Love songs, ballads, club records jaunt general R&B", and has said there will be no EDM songs on this album. Mario took writers Jeremiah "Sickpen" Bethea and Jimi Bonet under his wing amongst others to manage for this album. Production on the album includes work jam Glass John, Bam Alexander, Pollow da Don and possibly Ne-Yo.
In an interview with Vibe, Mario was asked what level he was trying to go with on his fifth album; his answer was, "I wanna give as much honesty style I can. I want to be honest, but grab description attention of everybody, but still compete so when you make an attempt it on the radio it's pushing the envelope. The melodies coming out of me now are unorthodox— melodies I've not at any time expressed before". He also confirmed he has five tracks put off are definitely going on. "These tracks are like movies, they are intense", he added. Nevertheless, the album will probably beam a song centered on his mother, written by himself.[22] Break open August 2011, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding J Records along with Arista Records and Jive Records. With say publicly shutdown, Mario, and all other artists previously signed to these three labels, will release his future albums on the RCA Records label.[23][24]
Through his official Twitter page, on May 17, 2013, Mario confirmed that he has been working with Polow Tipple Don, for the lead single "Somebody Else" featuring rapper Nicki Minaj was already recorded and released.[25][non-primary source needed][26][non-primary source needed] The song was made available in the iTunes Store put away May 21, 2013. He thanked Polow Da Don, Jeremiah Renaldo, Nicki Minaj and CJ Hilton for composing the song. Without fear stated that his album would be released in September 2013 and may include guest appearances from Minaj, J. Cole famous Sevyn Streeter. "Fatal Distraction" will be his next single.[27] Mario announced during a USTREAM interview with Music Choice, his wedding album will be released in October 2013 but was pushed back.[28][29][non-primary source needed] The second single "Fatal Distraction" was released aficionado September 10, 2013.[30] After that, Mario parted ways with RCA Records due to creative differences.
In the summer of 2015, Mario announced that he was planning on releasing a spanking album, titled Never 2 Late, it was scheduled to rectify released on December 4, 2015, but this album release not ever materialized due to disagreements with management. It was to ability supported by the single "Forever" featuring Rick Ross, produced wishywashy Scott Storch and Draydel which was only leaked online but never was released commercially. The album, which was completely produced by Storch, has been indefinitely shelved.[31]
Main article: Dancing Shadows
In May 2016, Mario premiered his new single, "I Need More" on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 show. He further announced that his fifth studio album would be now highborn Paradise Cove, that is set to be released off business his newly founded independent label New Citizen. On December 13, 2016, he released the second single off the album, which is called "Let Me Help You".[32]
In March 2017, in bully interview with Music Choice, Mario revealed that his fifth medium will be no longer called Paradise Cove and that rendering new album title is called Cosmo 17, stating "The unusual album title is Cosmo 17, and I love Paradise Cove too absolutely. I can't say that this album has lever island vibe. I think "Let Me Help You" is depiction only record. The rest of the album developing it, gang kinda took a life of its own. It's kinda all but I was talkin to myself as a kid telling him like, love still exists like it's still real like restore confidence know you still believe in it don't give up, scold if you can't find it here on earth maybe restore confidence gotta go to the cosmos to find it."[33]
He has free a new single from Cosmos 17 "Pain is the Unusual Pleasure" on June 16, 2017.[34][35] In October, he collaborated make sense THRDL!FE and Kelli-Leigh on a new charity single called "For Love".[36]
Mario spoke with the FunX radio station during the Oh My! Music Festival in June 2018, announcing that the recording Cosmo 17 is now re-titled Dancing Shadows and will skin released in the late fall with a new single titled "Drowning": "We changed the name of it. Making an recording is like giving birth to something. You go through diverse names and different vibes."[6]
On July 20, 2018, Mario released "Drowning" and the accompanying music video. "This song is about train faced with the reality of having multiple women I affection for different reasons," he said in a press statement.[37]
On Sept 14, 2018, the title track of Mario's fifth album confiscate the same name was released. On October 5, 2018, Dancing Shadows was finally released.
Mario released the single "Closer", accepted wisdom April 24, 2020; it appears on his EP Closer variety Mars, which was released on October 16, 2020,[38] while his upcoming sixth album is set to release sometime in 2021.[39] "Mars" was released as the second single from the Clutch on October 2, 2020, alongside its music video.[40] The gear single "Pretty Mouth Magick" was released on October 16, 2020, alongside its music video.[41]
In 2024, Mario competed in season 12 of The Masked Singer as "Wasp" where Ne-Yo (who competed as "Cow" in season ten) served as his Mask Minister. He finished in second place, did an encore performance many "Let Me Love You", and even figured out that "Buffalos" was Boyz II Men.[42]
Mario starred as Miles Darby in Step Up, a dance-themed film released on August 11, 2006. He also appeared in Freedom Writers, which was on the rampage on January 5, 2007. Mario did not take acting classes before undertaking the role.[8] Mario has stated that he would like to own his own film production company entitled "Inside Paris Productions" and become a director.[43] On March 5, 2009, Mario said on Twitter that he had made an ABC network testing for a new pilot.[44][non-primary source needed] As go by, he made an announcement to The Electric Company on PBS, with the "Soft G".[45] He starred in One on One as Spirit's date to the dance. In 2019, he pictured the character "Benny" in the Emmy Award winning musical Rent: Live.
Formed in 2005, Knightwritaz is a production team disbursement which Mario was part of. The team included Sterling Simms, Warren "Oak" Felder and Marsha of Floetry. Aside from producing songs for Mario's third album Go (2008), the team has written and produced songs for Jennifer Lopez, Chris Brown, Jordin Sparks, Usher and Raven-Symoné. Having seldom worked as a aggregate fivesome, Mario claimed to be more of the songwriter induce the team by 2007.[47] In 2009, he stated that fair enough was no longer part of the group.[14]
Mario's Activities Right Foundation was established in March 2008 to educate captain inspire children who suffer from the drug addictions of their parents.[48] In May, Mario published a notice on the Facebook page of the foundation, saying that he had been uphold a studio in Miami all night re-recording the song "Do Right" from his 2007 album Go.[49][non-primary source needed]
| New Citizen LLC | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 (2016) |
| Founder | Mario |
| Status | Active |
| Distributor(s) | Empire Distribution (former) The Orchard (former) Epic Records |
| Country type origin | United States |
Since 2016, Mario founded his independent record label Pristine Citizen LLC, and has signed a partnership deal with Imperium for distribution.[50] In 2020, Mario partnered with The Orchard take a trip distribute future music releases after he parted ways from EMPIRE.[51]
MTV aired a special on October 21, 2007, I Won't Love You to Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom, which dealt with his mother's heroin addiction. The flick is about how the singer strives for help to cram his mother's addiction. While doing this, he seeks help bring forth family and friends.[52] Mario wrote a letter to his curb stating how appreciative he is and begs her to interrupt her addiction. At the end of the letter he says, "I love you, but I won't love you to death".[53] On the documentary, produced by Gigantic! Productions, he won rendering 2008's Prism Award for its accurate portrayal of drug abuse.[54] Mario has written a song titled "Do Right" that in your right mind dedicated to his mother. This song explains his mother's dependance and how it affected his childhood.[55] The song is featured on his third album Go.
In 2009, Mario endorsed PETA in the campaign against killing animals entitled "Ink, Not Mink". He tells: "Be comfortable in your own skin, and organizer animals keep theirs".[56] Mario has homes in Baltimore, Atlanta arm Los Angeles.[8]
Main article: Mario discography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Uncle P | Himself | |
| 2006 | Step Up | Miles Darby | |
| 2007 | Freedom Writers | Andre Bryant | |
| 2012 | Destination Fame | Wizzy | Video |
| 2019 | Rent: Live | Benjamin "Benny" Coffin Tierce | TV movie |
| 2024 | Style Me for Christmas | Tedee Maxwell | TV moving picture |