Mario (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mario
Mario in December 2024
Background information
Birth name	Mario Dewar Barrett
Born	(1986-08-27) August 27, 1986 (age 38) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Genres	R&B
Occupations	Singer songwriter dancer actor
Years active	2001–present
Labels	New Citizen RCA J 3rd Street

Mario Dewar Barrett (born August 27, 1986), known simply as Mario, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and actor. He grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and signed a record deal with J Records when he was only 14 years old.

His first album, Mario (2002), featured the hit song "Just a Friend 2002", which became a top-five single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His second album, Turning Point (2004), was even more successful. It included the number-one hit "Let Me Love You", which won two Billboard Music Awards and was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Over the years, Mario has released several other albums, including Go (2007), D.N.A. (2009), and Dancing Shadows (2018). In 2010, Billboard magazine named him one of the top artists of the decade.

Besides music, Mario is also an actor. He has appeared in movies like Step Up (2006) and Freedom Writers (2007). He also competed on Dancing with the Stars and was a star in the TV show Empire. In 2024, he was the runner-up on season 12 of The Masked Singer.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Mario Dewar Barrett was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He was raised by his grandmother while his single mother faced personal challenges. From a young age, Mario knew he wanted to be a singer. When he was four, his mother bought him a karaoke machine to encourage his dream.

He learned to play the piano, which helped him create his own songs. When he was 11, a music producer discovered him after he sang at a local talent show. This led to him signing a record deal with Clive Davis's J Records at age 14. Some of his biggest musical influences were Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Usher.

Music Career

2001–2003: First Album Mario

Mario started working on his first album in 2001. The album, simply called Mario, was released in 2002. The first single, "Just a Friend 2002", was a new version of a song by Biz Markie. It became a huge hit, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

After his hit song, he released more singles like "Braid My Hair" and "C'mon". He also performed as the opening act for the Scream Tour 3 with other popular artists like B2K and Marques Houston. His first album sold over 700,000 copies and made him a popular star among teens.

2004–2006: Turning Point and "Let Me Love You"

For his second album, Mario wanted a more mature sound. He worked with famous producers like Scott Storch and Lil' Jon. The album, Turning Point, came out in 2004 and was a massive success.

The main reason for its success was the single "Let Me Love You". The song, written by Ne-Yo, was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks in a row. It became one of the biggest songs of the year. Other singles from the album included "How Could You" and "Here I Go Again". Turning Point sold over one million copies.

2007–2008: The Go Album

Mario's third album, Go, was released in 2007. He had more creative control on this album and worked with producers like Timbaland and Ne-Yo. The first single was "How Do I Breathe", followed by "Crying Out for Me", which became a popular hit.

In 2008, Mario showed off his dancing skills when he competed on season six of Dancing With the Stars. He and his partner, Karina Smirnoff, made it to the eighth week of the competition.

2009–2010: The D.N.A. Album

For his fourth album, D.N.A., Mario wanted to create a new sound that mixed R&B with modern dance-pop. The first single, "Break Up", featured Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett. It was a big success, reaching the top 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Other singles from the album included "Thinkin' About You" and "Ooh Baby". The album D.N.A. debuted in the top ten on the Billboard 200 chart.

2011–2018: New Music and Dancing Shadows

After leaving his record label, Mario took time to work on new music. He wanted to create songs that were more personal and honest. In 2013, he released the single "Somebody Else" with rapper Nicki Minaj.

In 2016, Mario started his own independent record label called New Citizen. He released new singles like "I Need More" and "Let Me Help You". His fifth album, Dancing Shadows, was finally released in 2018. The album had a more artistic and personal feel, with songs like "Drowning" and the title track "Dancing Shadows".

2020–Present: Recent Music and Projects

In 2020, Mario released an EP called Closer to Mars. He continues to release new music for his fans.

In 2024, Mario appeared on the popular TV show The Masked Singer as the "Wasp". He impressed the judges and audience with his performances and finished in second place.

Other Projects

Acting Career

Mario is not just a singer; he is also a talented actor. In 2006, he starred as Miles Darby in the dance movie Step Up. The next year, he appeared in the inspiring movie Freedom Writers as Andre Bryant.

He has also acted in several TV shows. From 2018 to 2020, he played the character Devon on the hit show Empire. In 2019, he was part of the live TV musical Rent: Live, where he played the role of Benny.

Knightwritaz

For a time, Mario was part of a songwriting and production team called Knightwritaz. The group also included other talented artists like Marsha Ambrosius from the group Floetry. They wrote and produced songs for famous artists like Jennifer Lopez, Chris Brown, and Jordin Sparks.

Do Right Foundation

In 2008, Mario started the Do Right Foundation. The charity's goal is to help and inspire children whose parents are dealing with difficult personal problems. The foundation was inspired by his own experiences growing up. He even re-recorded his song "Do Right" to support the cause.

Personal Life

In 2007, MTV aired a documentary called I Won't Love You to Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom. The film showed the challenges Mario faced with his mother's health issues. It was praised for its honest look at family struggles and won an award.

Mario is also an animal lover. He worked with PETA on a campaign called "Ink, Not Mink," encouraging people to be kind to animals.

Discography

Studio albums

• Mario (2002)
• Turning Point (2004)
• Go (2007)
• D.N.A. (2009)
• Dancing Shadows (2018)
• Glad You Came (2024)

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Mario (cantante) para niños

• List of dancers