Mario

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Mario Barrett, who records under the name Mario, follows in the tradition of early 2000s American R&B, with songwriting focused on ballads, mid-tempo rhythms and a consistent blend between contemporary soul and urban pop. Discovered very young, he signed with J Records as a teenager and released his first album, Mario, in 2002, followed by Turning Point in 2004, led by the track Let Me Love You, written by Ne-Yo, which marks a turning point in his career. Mario goes on with Go in 2007 and D.N.A. in 2009, albums where his vocal range remains anchored in melodic R&B, often supported by smoother, radio-friendly productions, while preserving an approach inherited from gospel and soul. Over the course of the 2010s, Mario moves away from the major label framework, founds his New Citizen structure and resumes an independent path, notably resulting in Dancing Shadows in 2018 and the EP Closer to Mars in 2020. Alongside music, Mario has also developed acting work, with appearances in Step Up, Freedom Writers, Empire and Rent: Live. This dual trajectory sheds light on Mario’s journey, between R&B continuity, career adjustments and regular presence on American stages.