Mario Profile

Mario Dewar Barrett is an American singer, songwriter, actor, dancer, and model best known for his eponymous debut album released in 2002. It includes the top 10 single, “Just a Friend 2002”. Turning Point, Mario’s first studio album, was released in 2003 and produced the number one single “Let Me Love You,” which earned him two Billboard Music Awards.

At the end of the 2000s decade, Billboard ranked Mario No. 98 on their “Artist of the Decade” list. Dancing Shadows, his fifth album, was released in 2018 and featured a more introspective sound than previous albums. The singles “How Do I Breathe,” “Crying Out for Me,” and “Music for Love” were among them.

Mario Education

Barrett learned to play the piano and used that ability to create melodies and songs. After singing “I’ll Make Love to You” at a Coppin State College talent show, he was discovered and signed by producer Troy Patterson at the age of eleven. Mario attended Milford Mill Academy until the tenth grade, where he was inspired by his music teacher. At the age of fourteen, he was offered a record deal with Clive Davis’ J Records.

Mario Age

Mario is 35 years old as of 2021. He was born Mario Dewar Barrett on 27 August 1986 in Baltimore, Maryland, United States.

Mario Height

Mario stands at a height of 5 feet 11 inches (1.8 m).

Mario Family

Barrett was born to Shawntia Hardaway and Derryl Barrett Sr., a singer in the gospel group Reformation. He also has a half-brother, professional drummer Derryl “D.J.” Barrett Jr. He grew up in Baltimore County, Maryland, in west Baltimore and other working-class neighborhoods.

Quick Facts About Mario

He was raised by his grandmother while his single mother struggled with drug addiction. Mario declared his desire to be a singer when he was four years old. His mother bought him a karaoke machine to help him realize his dream. Mario joined a musical group at Milford Mill Academy with comedian Mo’Nique’s oldest son and best friend Jaye Brebnor, as well as his younger god sister Chea Tyler.

Mario Wife

Barrett is divorced. He was married to Ramona Singer, who is a TV personality. The couple married in 1992 and divorced in 2015.

Mario Net Worth

Mario has an estimated net worth is $18 Million.

Mario Knightwritaz

Mario was a member of the production team Knightwritaz. Sterling Simms, Warren “Oak” Felder, and Marsha of Floetry were among those on the team. Aside from writing and producing songs for Mario’s third studio album, Go, the team has also written and produced songs for Jennifer Lopez, Chris Brown, Jordin Sparks, Usher, and Raven-Symoné. Mario claimed to be the team’s primary songwriter. He stated in an interview with Rap-Up that he was no longer a member of the Knightwritaz.

Mario Do Right Foundation

Mario’s Do Right Foundation was founded in March 2008 to educate and inspire children whose parents are addicted to drugs. In May, Mario announced on the foundation’s Facebook page that he had spent the night in a Miami studio re-recording the song “Do Right” from his 2007 album Go.

Mario New Citizen LLC

Since 2016, Mario has run his own record label, New Citizen LLC, and has partnered with EMPIRE for distribution. After leaving EMPIRE, Mario partnered with The Orchard to distribute future music releases in 2020.

Mario D.N.A.

Mario has been hard at work on a new album titled D.N.A. The first single, “Break Up,” was released on April 28, 2009, and peaked at number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Chart and number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100. Mario became the face of Pelle Pelle’s European Spring/Summer campaign in January 2009, with various press shots running throughout the first half of the year. For this album, Mario stated that he would like to collaborate with no more than four producers.

Mario Album

Mario began recording his major-label debut album, Mario, in July 2001, nearly a year before its official release in March 2002. The album’s lead single, “Just a Friend 2002,” a cover of Biz Markie’s song, was a commercial success, reaching number one on the charts. “Braid My Hair” and “C’mon” were the follow-up singles. He was the opening act on the Scream Tour 3, which featured B2K, Marques Houston, Nick Cannon, Jhené Aiko, and AJA as headliners. His debut album had sold over 700,000 copies as of 2006. During this time, he became a teen market draw.

Mario Go

Mario’s third album, Go, is dedicated to his mother, Shawntia Hardaway, and was released in South Africa on October 9, 2007, by Gallo Records, and in the United States on December 11, 2007. Collaborations on the album include Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo, Janice Robinson, Scott Storch, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Timbaland, and Bryan-Michael Cox. On Go, Mario had more creative freedom than on his previous two albums. The album’s first single, “How Do I Breathe,” was released in May.

Following a poll on his website, the second single was “Crying Out for Me.” The RIAA later certified the single as Gold. On December 13, 2007, Mario appeared on “106 & Park,” where he revealed that “Music for Love” would be the album’s third single. Prior to its release, the album was made available for public listening on his Myspace page. On December 11, he released the song “Do Right.” In the United States, Go has sold 331,540 copies.

Mario

Mario stated in a 2009 interview with Rap-Up.com that “Soul Truth Entertainment” was his new entertainment company. Before his third album, Go, was released, Mario confirmed in an interview that he was working on a new album “by the time school starts back up, like after next summer.” “But there’s a lot more to it than that because I’m going to start recording around the end of January.”

Darkchild, Babyface, Polow da Don, RedOne, and CJ of Charlio Productions, Malay, Jazze Pha, Stargate, KP, Tricky Stewart, and The-Dream are among the producers and songwriters on the album. For this album, Mario stated that he would like to collaborate with no more than four producers.

This album has been described by Mario as “world music,” “old school R&B influenced with a modern dance-pop sound.” According to the press, the album is his most personal, colossal album of his career.” Mario became the face of Pelle Pelle’s European Spring/Summer campaign in January 2009, with various press shots running throughout the first half of the year.

The lead single “Break Up” from his fourth album D.N.A. was released on April 28, 2009. Sean “The Pen” Garrett and Gucci Mane appear on the track. The song reached number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Chart and number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, becoming Mario’s most successful single in five years.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has certified the single as Gold for a shipment of over 500,000 units. The second single, “Thinkin’ About You,” was released as the second single and peaked at number forty-five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Chart. Because of the limited airplay, “Stranded” was never labeled as the third single.

The single was canceled due to a lack of interest, but it did chart on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs in January 2010, peaking at number 84.”Ooh Baby” was later confirmed to be the album’s third single, peaking at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of March 19, 2010.

Prior to its release, the album was made available for public listening on his Myspace page. The album debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200, selling 38,000 copies in its first week, making it Mario’s lowest-selling debut in the US. It has so far sold 93,385 copies in the United States.

Mario DWTS

Mario appeared on season six of Dancing With the Stars in 2008. He was teamed up with Karina Smirnoff. They were eliminated from the competition in week eight.

Mario Movies

• 2019 – Rent: Live
• 2012 – Destination Fame
• 2007 – Freedom Writers
• 2006 – Step Up

Mario TV Shows

• 2018–20 – Empire
• 2014 – Love That Girl!
• 2008 – Dancing with the Stars
• 2005 – All of Us
• 2003 – One on One
• 2003 – Sabrina, the Teenage Witch