D.N.A. (Mario album)

Untitled

D.N.A. (previously known as And Then There Was Me) is the title of the upcoming fourth studio album from American contemporary R&B singer-songwriter Mario to be released in the United States on October 13, 2009 through J Records. On the album Mario has worked with previous hitmakers Bryan Michael Cox as well as new collaborators including The-Dream, Soundz and Jim Jonsin amongst others.

The album's lead single "Break Up" which was written by Sean Garrett and produced by Bangladesh features Garrett and Gucci Mane. Released April 28, 2009, in the US it has so far peaked at number 2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Chart and #15 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Mario's most successful single in five years. "Thinkin' About You" will be released as the second single.

Recording and production

At the end of 2007 Mario told Billboard Magazine that he had already begun designing the concept for his new album and that production would begin in February of 2008. Later in an interview he described this album as World music, an old school R&B influenced with a modern dance pop sound and calling this the "most personal, colossal album of his career".

On the album Mario has worked with Rodney Jerkins, Babyface, Polow da don, RedOne, CJ of Charlio Productions, Malay, Jazzy Pha and Sean Garrett amongst others. So far it is confirmed that Ludacris will appear as a guest vocalist on the album although other collaborations might also materialize. According to Daily Motion four songs were completed with Garrett including lead single "Break-up".

At the end of 2008 a track called "Emergency Room" leaked to the internet, credited to Mario and featuring Rihanna, and also played by various radio stations throughout the country. Initially people were quick to assume it was Rihanna on the track, as the studio vocalist resembled her voice. The song is produced by Soundz Also the song's title was especially controversial, because of the situation which Rihanna is with her boyfriend Chris Brown, which Vibe.com has documented extensively. Of the song Mario said "This was a rough cut that I was working on and wanted to present it to Rihanna and her record label. Those aren’t Rihanna’s vocals on the song at all. The record was far from done. I’m still proud of the record but want to make sure that the truth is out there."

Concept and themes

Mario described the song "The Hardest Moment" which is set to be on his album as "Personal, because I say things in the record that have multiple meanings. Like the chorus says, "A man that ain't afraid to cry is a man that's not afraid to die." That to me, even though I'm talking about a relationship in the song, I'm talking about that point in a relationship where everything is over. It's like, you guys are cool, you guys are friends, but you're totally going separate ways. That's probably one of the hardest things a young man and young woman can go through in their relationship. And, so that's what I'm saying in that line. But it also means to me that a strong man is not afraid to be vulnerable, to cry and let it out." In a previous interview the song "Let Your Starlight Shine Down" produced by The-Dream, Mario has explained the record: "the song is about going after a woman and describes it as dreamy and swaggerized".

The album was originally scheduled to be released under the title And Then There Was Me. But on January 10, 2009, Mario told Singersroom.com that the album title may change for his effort. When asked to explain what they original title meant he said "And Then There Was Me is more than just me sayin’ my music is fresh, but who I am as a person. That title for me is like, you’ve got the Trey Songz’, the Ne-Yos , and you’ve got the Chris Browns of the world—you’ve got all these new artists. This is my fourth album, and some of them aren’t even on their third [album]—I’m coming back with something fresh and new. And then there’s me, there’s Mario." The album title has since changed to "D.N.A" to reflect the musical changes that Mario has gone through since his last album.

Release and promotion

Mario has stated that he was initially not sure of a release date, but in an interview with Rap-Up.com, he stated that he was considering March or April 2009. The date was since pushed back to June 2009. But then on Twitter he said "It's getting close "And Then There Was Me" late summer". Amazon.Com has confirmed a September 22, 2009 release date for the project which has recently changed once again to October 13, 2009 by J Records and Mario's official website.

106 & Park Live Tour

In early September 2009, Mario, Trey Songz, Day26 and Sean Garrett announced on 106 & Park that they will be all together on a tour with RichGirl across the U.S. With 106 & Park supporting the tour.

Singles

• "Break Up" was confirmed by Mario as the first single. Is written by Sean Garrett and Mario, and produced by Bangladesh. Initially, the song charted on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 at number 117. On the following week entered on the main Billboard Hot 100 chart, as number 98. Currently it's at number #15.
• "Thinking About You" is the second single to be released on September 4, 2009.

Recorded songs

• "Break Up" (featuring Gucci Mane & Sean Garrett) (produced by Bangladesh; written by Sean Garrett)
• "The Hardest Moment"
• "Thinking of You (Depression)"
• "Thinkin' About You" (produced by The Runners; written by Rico Love)
• "Stuttering"
• "Stranded" (Eric Hudson, Sean Garrett)
• "Emergency Room" (Soundz, Priscilla Renea, Mario)
• "I Choose You"
• "So Good In Bed"
• "Starlight" (The-Dream)

Release history

Region	Date	Label(s)	Format
Japan	October 7, 2009 (2009-10-07)	Sony Music JP	CD
United Kingdom	October 12, 2009 (2009-10-12)	RCA Records	CD, Digital download
United States	October 13, 2009 (2009-10-13)	J Records