Mario (singer)

[[Image:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v611/kimdra/MariosHavenLayout.png]

This article is about the singer. For Mario (disambiguation), see Mario (singer) (disambiguation).

Mario

Mario (born Mario Dewar Barrett on August 27 1986) is an American R&B and pop singer. He is best known for his hit singles "Just a Friend (2002)" and "Let Me Love You", which won him two Billboard awards, as well as for appearing in the films Step Up and Freedom Writers. His latest album, Go! will be released on December 11 2007 in the United States, but was released in South Africa on October 9 2007 under Gallo Records.

Biography

Early life

Mario was born in Baltimore, Maryland and grew up in Pikesville, Randallstown, Gwynn Oak and other working-class neighborhoods in Baltimore County, Maryland. He grew up with his grandmother in different areas of Baltimore, Maryland, she also raised him while his single mother struggled with a drug problem. Mario said at the age of four that he wanted to become a singer. His mother supported his dream and bought him a karaoke machine. By the time Mario was in high school, he was dealing drugs and had joined a gang. It was then when that Mario's mother Shawn entered him in another talent contest in an effort to apply his talents and keep him from the streets. Mario joined a musical group in high school with the oldest son of comedienne Mo'Nique. He was always dedicated to having a musical career. He learned to play the piano and used that skill 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. Mario attended Milford Mill Academy up 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 with Clive Davis' J Records. His musical influences include Stevie Wonder, Fernando & Q-Bah, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Brian McKnight, Boyz II Men, and Joe. His first introduction to the music industry was the Dr. Dolittle 2 movie soundtrack in 2001. He sang a captivating performance of the Stevie Wonder classic You and I at Clive's Grammy party in 2002, and began recording an album.

Mario (2002)

Mario began recording his debut album Mario at age fifteen, a year before releasing it in July 2002. The lead single Just A Friend 2002, which was a cover of Biz Markie's hit, was an instant success, peaking at #4 on the charts. Follow up singles were Braid my Hair & C'mon. He was the opening act on the Scream Tour 3, which featured Bow Wow, Nick Cannon, B2K & Marques Houston. As of 2006, his debut album has sold over 700,000 copies. During this period, he became a draw in the teen market.

Turning Point (2004)

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 Scott Storch & Lil' Jon. He released his second album, Turning Point, in December 7 2004. The album was more successful than his first, mainly because of the hit single "Let Me Love You". The single, described by reviewers as "melodic and sweetly lilting, reminiscent of Michael Jackson's vintage romantic ballads", was successul, peaking at the number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for nine consecutive weeks. Other follow up singles include How Could You written by J. Valentine, with a cameo appearance in the video by rapper Cassidy, Here I Go Again, which video starred upcoming model and singer Cassie, and Boom featuring Juvenile. To date, Turning Point has sold over 1.7 million copies.

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. Mario has homes in Baltimore, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

===Go=== (2007)

Mario's third album Go! which was released in South Africa under Gallo Records on October 09 2007 is scheduled to be released on December 11th 2007 and includes collaborations with Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo, Janice Robinson, Eric West, Scott Storch, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Timbaland, Bryan Michael Cox, Nelly, Alicia Keys, The Neptunes, Jim Jonsin, Akon, Dre & Vidal, Warren Campbell, Sean Garrett, Trey Songz and Mr. Collipark. Mario, who has described the album as "sex... more personal... more passionate", had more creative control on Go! than on his previous two albums. The first single to be lifted from the album was "How Do I Breathe." The second single that is now in rotation is "Crying Out For Me". The entire album was made available for the public to listen to on his Myspace page before its release.

Knightwritaz

Knightwritaz is a production team of which Mario is a part. The production team includes Mario, Sterling Simms, Warren "Oak" Felder and Marsha of Floetry. Aside from producing songs for Mario's album Go!, the team has written and produced songs for Jennifer Lopez, Chris Brown and Raven-Symoné. Mario claims to be more of the songwriter in the team.

MTV Special

MTV aired a special on October 21, "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. 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."

Bold text also Mario has written a song titled DO RIGHT that is dedicated to his mother this song explans his mother addiction and how it affected his childhood and also how much he looks up to her

Discography

Further information: [[:Mario discography]]

Albums

• 2002: Mario
• 2004: Turning Point
• 2007: Go

Singles

Year	Title	Chart Positions							Album
		U.S.	U.S. R&B	UK	AUS	NZ	GER	ITA
2002	"Just a Friend 2002"	4	3	18	—	15	—	—	Mario
	"Braid My Hair"	74	18	—	—	—	—	—
2003	"C'Mon"	—	61	28	—	—	—	—
2004	"Let Me Love You"	1	1	2	3	1	1	2	Turning Point
2005	"How Could You"	52	13	—	43	—	—	—
	"Here I Go Again"	—	—	11	15	36	27	50
	"Boom" (featuring Juvenile)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2007	"How Do I Breathe"	46	18	21	33	—	42	—	Go!
	"Crying Out for Me"	97	23

Acting career

Mario starred along side Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan in Step Up, a dance-themed film released on August 11 2006. For his next film, Freedom Writers he acted opposite Academy Award-Winner Hilary Swank and Patrick Dempsey of Grey's Anatomy. The film was a drama about inner-city school kids. It was released on January 5, 2007. Mario did not take acting classes before undertaking the role. Mario has stated that he would like to own his own film production company and become a director.

Filmography

• Step Up (2006)
• Freedom Writers (2007)

Trivia

• He is also the English voice of Pyunma in Cyborg 009.

External links

• Mario's Official website
• GO Album website
• Mario at IMDb
• Mario at MySpace
• The DJ Booth: Mario Interview (June '07)
• The DJ Booth : Mario Interview (November 07)
• Pop-Junkie.com: Mario Interview (December 11, 2007)