Mario (singer)

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Mario (entertainer)
)
Not to be confused with Mario Winans.

Mario
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
GenresR&B[1]
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actor
  • dancer
DiscographyMario discography
Years active2001–present
Labels
  • New Citizen
  • RCA
  • J
  • 3rd Street
Formerly of
Websitemarioworldwide.com

Mario Dewar Barrett (born August 27, 1986),

Grammy Award
nomination, and remains his most commercially successful release.

His third studio album,

Break Up" (featuring Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett), which peaked within the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In the following year, Barrett was ranked No. 98 by Billboard on their "Artist of the Decade" list.[4] His fifth album, Dancing Shadows (2018) saw further lyrical introspection and creative control than previous commercially-oriented projects, also serving as his first independent release.[5][6]

Aside from his musical career, he appeared in several television shows and films such as Step Up (2006), Freedom Writers (2007) and Empire (2018–2020). In 2019, Mario starred in the live television production of the musical Rent.

Early life and education

Mario Dewar Barrett was born on August 27, 1986, in

Grammy
party in 2002, and began recording an album.

Music career

2001–2003: Mario

Main article: Mario (album)

In July 2001, Mario began recording his major-label debut album, titled Mario, which was nearly a year before the official release in March 2002. The album's lead single "Just a Friend 2002", which was a cover of Biz Markie's song, 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 Cannon, Jhené Aiko and AJA. As of 2006, his debut album has sold over 700,000 copies.[8] During this period, he became a draw in the teen market.[8]

2004–2006: Turning Point

Main article: Turning Point (Mario album)

After his debut album was released, Mario wanted to record an album that was more mature. He enlisted a number of well-known producers to help him, such as

rapper Cassidy; "Here I Go Again" (whose video starred model/singer Cassie) and "Boom" featuring Juvenile. To date, Turning Point
is 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 sale of more than 3 million records, which was later found to be false accusations. Mario was later sued by Patterson and lost. Mario's new manager is J. Erving, and he was chosen by Mario.[10]

2007–2008: Go

Main article: Go (Mario album)

Mario's third album

Gallo Records on October 9, 2007, in the U.S. on December 11, 2007. The album includes collaborations with Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo, Janice Robinson, Scott Storch, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Timbaland and Bryan-Michael Cox. 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. The second single was "Crying Out for Me" after a poll on his website.[11] The single was later certificated Gold by the RIAA.[12] On December 13, 2007, Mario was on "106 & Park" where he stated that the third single off 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 in the U.S.

In an interview with DJ "Z", Mario stated that problems with the record label caused the album launch to be pushed back 6–8 months.

Dancing With the Stars. He was partnered with Karina Smirnoff
. They were eliminated in week eight of the competition.

2009–2010: D.N.A.

Main article: D.N.A. (Mario album)

In a 2009 interview with Rap-Up.com, Mario said that "Soul Truth Entertainment" was his new entertainment company.

Tricky Stewart and The-Dream.[16][17][18] Mario said that he would like to work with no more than four producers for this album.[15] Mario has described this album as world music, an old school R&B influenced with 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

Ooh Baby
" was later confirmed to be the third single from the album, it peaked on the week of March 19, 2010 debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 95. The album was made available for the public to listen to 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 the United States. So far, it has sold 93,385 copies in the U.S.

2011–2016: Cancelled albums and departure from RCA Records

Mario recorded an album with producer Rico Love from 2010 to mid-2011 under the tentative title Restoration. Songs from this album 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 felt the album recorded with Rico Love did not feel part of his career plan and that he scrapped that album 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 stated the album will include "Love songs, ballads, club records and 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 write for this album. Production on the album includes work by Glass John, Bam Alexander, Pollow da Don and possibly Ne-Yo.

In an interview with Vibe, Mario was asked what direction he was trying to go with on his fifth album; his answer was, "I wanna give as much honesty as I can. I want to be honest, but grab the attention of everybody, but still compete so when you hear it on the radio it's pushing the envelope. The melodies coming out of me now are unorthodox— melodies I've never expressed before". He also confirmed he has five tracks that are definitely going on. "These tracks are like movies, they are intense", he added. Nevertheless, the album will probably feature a song centered on his mother, written by himself.[22] In August 2011, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding J Records along with Arista Records and Jive Records. With the 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 Da Don, Jeremiah Renaldo, Nicki Minaj and CJ Hilton for composing the song. He stated that his album would be released in September 2013 and may include guest appearances from Minaj, J. Cole and Sevyn Streeter. "Fatal Distraction" will be his next single.[27] Mario announced during a USTREAM interview with Music Choice, his album will be released in October 2013 but was pushed back.[28]
[29][non-primary source needed] The second single "Fatal Distraction" was released on 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 new album, titled Never 2 Late, it was scheduled to be released on December 4, 2015, but this album release never materialized due to disagreements with management. It was to be supported by the single "Forever" featuring Rick Ross, produced by 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]

2016–present: New Citizen label, Dancing Shadows, Closer to Mars EP and upcoming sixth album

Main article: Dancing Shadows

In May 2016, Mario premiered his new single, "I Need More" on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 show. He also announced that his fifth studio album would be now titled Paradise Cove, that is set to be released off of 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 an interview with Music Choice, Mario revealed that his fifth album will be no longer called Paradise Cove and that the new album title is called Cosmo 17, stating "The new album title is Cosmo 17, and I love Paradise Cove too absolutely. I can't say that this album has an island vibe. I think "Let Me Help You" is the only record. The rest of the album developing it, it kinda took a life of its own. It's kinda like I was talkin to myself as a kid telling him like, love still exists like it's still real like you know you still believe in it don't give up, and if you can't find it here on earth maybe you gotta go to the cosmos to find it."[33]

He has released a new single from Cosmos 17 "Pain is the New Pleasure" on June 16, 2017.[34][35] In October, he collaborated with 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 album Cosmo 17 is now re-titled Dancing Shadows and will be released in the late fall with a new single called "Drowning": "We changed the name of it. Making an album is like giving birth to something. You go through different names and different vibes."[6]

On July 20, 2018, Mario released "Drowning" and the accompanying music video. "This song is about being faced with the reality of having multiple women I love for different reasons," he said in a press statement.[37]

On September 14, 2018, the title track of Mario's fifth album of the same name was released. On October 5, 2018, Dancing Shadows was finally released.

Mario released the single "Closer", on April 24, 2020; it appears on his EP Closer to 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 EP on October 2, 2020, alongside its music video.[40] The third single "Pretty Mouth Magick" was released on October 16, 2020, alongside its music video.[41]

Other ventures

Acting career

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 released 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.[42] On March 5, 2009, Mario said on Twitter that he had made an ABC network testing for a new pilot.[43][non-primary source needed] As result, he made an announcement to The Electric Company on PBS, with the "Soft G".[44] He starred in One on One as Spirit's date to the dance. In 2019, he portrayed the character "Benny" in the Emmy Award winning musical Rent: Live.

Knightwritaz

Knightwritaz
Years active2005—2010
Past members

Formed in 2005, Knightwritaz is a production team of which Mario was part of. The team included

Usher and Raven-Symoné. Having seldom worked as a collective fivesome, Mario claimed to be more of the songwriter in the team by 2007.[46] In 2009, he stated that he was no longer part of the group.[14]

Do Right Foundation

Mario's Do Right Foundation was established in March 2008 to educate and inspire children who suffer from the drug addictions of their parents.[47] In May, Mario published a notice on the Facebook page of the foundation, saying that he had been in a studio in Miami all night re-recording the song "Do Right" from his 2007 album Go.[48][non-primary source needed]

New Citizen LLC

New Citizen LLC
Founded2016 (2016)
FounderMario
StatusActive
Distributor(s)Empire Distribution (former)
The Orchard (former) Epic Records
Country of originUnited States

Since 2016, Mario founded his independent record label New Citizen LLC, and has signed a partnership deal with EMPIRE for distribution.[49] In 2020, Mario partnered with The Orchard to distribute future music releases after he parted ways from EMPIRE.[50]

Personal life

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 documentary is about how the singer strives for help to stop his mother's addiction. While doing this, he seeks help from family and friends.[51] Mario wrote a letter to his mother stating how appreciative he is and begs her to stop her addiction. At the end of the letter he says, "I love you, but I won't love you to death".[52] On the documentary, produced by Gigantic! Productions, he won the 2008's Prism Award for its accurate portrayal of drug abuse.[53] Mario has written a song titled "Do Right" that is dedicated to his mother. This song explains his mother's addiction and how it affected his childhood.[54] 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 let animals keep theirs".[55] Mario has homes in Baltimore, Atlanta and Los Angeles.[8]

Discography

Main article: Mario discography
Studio albums

Filmography

Film

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 III TV movie

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2003 The Saturday Show Himself Episode: "Episode #1.90"
One on One Marvin Episode: "The Test"
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Himself Episode: "What a Witch Wants"
2004 Steve Harvey's Big Time Challenge Himself Episode: "Episode #2.9"
Showtime at the Apollo Himself Episode: "Mario/Freddie Jackson"
2005 Soul Train Himself Episode: "Mario/Lyfe Jennings"
Punk'd Himself Episode: "Episode #4.1"
All of Us Himself Episode: "Movin’ on Up"
Top of the Pops Himself Recurring Guest
Mad TV Himself Episode: "Episode #11.8"
Showtime at the Apollo Himself Episode: "Mario/Jadakiss"
2008 Dancing with the Stars Himself Contestant:
Season 6
Battleground Earth Himself Episode: "Downtown Battleground"
2009-10 The Electric Company Himself Recurring Guest: Season 1-2
2014 Love That Girl! Terrence Episode: "Gullible Is as Gullible Does"
2016 Greatest Hits Himself Episode: "Greatest Hits: 2000–2005"
2018-20 Empire Devon Recurring Cast:
Season 6
2019 Song Association Himself Episode: "Mario"
2020 Wild 'n Out Himself/Team Captain Episode: "Mario"
2022 Unsung Himself Episode: "Warryn Campbell"

References

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  2. ISBN 978-0-19-531373-4
    .
  3. ^ Southern, Nathan. "Mario – Overview". AllMovie. Archived from the original on June 27, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
  4. ^ "Artists of the Decade Music Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
  5. ^ "Mario Talks 2020 Version Of "Let Me Love You", Working With Scott Storch & Reflecting On Discography (Exclusive Interview) - YouKnowIGotSoul.com". YouKnowIGotSoul.com | New R&B Music, Songs, Podcast, Interviews. February 14, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  6. ^ a b FunX Gemist (June 30, 2018). "Mario: I would never make a second Let Me Love You". Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2018 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ "Mario Sings the Blues". Baltimore magazine. January 1, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
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  10. ^ Gail, Mitchell (June 18, 2007). "R&B artist Mario gets personal on 3rd album". Reuters. Archived from the original on September 8, 2009.
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  19. ^ Pelle Pelle featuring Mario. Pellepelle-europe.com. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
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  21. ^ Mario to turn in D.N.A. October 13th Archived January 28, 2013, at archive.today. Mario2u.com (December 22, 2011). Retrieved 28 August 2012.
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  24. ^ Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more! Archived November 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. FMQB. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  25. ^ "Mario Barrett on Twitter: "S/O to @PolowDaDon!!! ONE OF THE BEST TO EVER DO IT!! MY BROTHA!!!"". Twitter. May 17, 2013. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  26. ^ "Mario Barrett on Twitter: "Yooww! Just heard the final mix! @NICKIMINAJ You put NY on ur back wit this one! Your the fucking best! @PolowDaDon Ur a genius fam!"". Twitter. May 17, 2013. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
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  36. ^ "For Love". Archived from the original on May 5, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2018 – via YouTube.
  37. ^ "Mario Gets Deep on New Single 'Drowning'". ratedrnb.com. July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
  38. ^ "Closer to Mars - EP by Mario". music.apple.com. Apple Music (US). Retrieved October 2, 2020.
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  40. ^ @OHYESMARIO (September 30, 2020). "MARS 10/2" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  41. ^ Ju, Shirley (June 1, 2020). "Mario talks 'Closer' EP, potential Verzuz battles, business ventures and more". REVOLT. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
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  47. ^ The Tyra Banks Show (January 25, 2008). "R&B Singer Mario's Foundation for Children of Addicts". Retrieved March 30, 2009.
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  50. ^ "Black-Led Independent Labels You Should Know (Updating)". The Daily Rind. July 8, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
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  52. ^ [1] [dead link]
  53. ^ "SAMHSA holds PRISM Awards and Voice Awards". January 18, 2009. Archived from the original on January 18, 2009. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
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  55. ^ Lauren Walker (May 27, 2009). "Mario: A New Point of View". Archived from the original on August 14, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mario.
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