Mario

Mario Dewar Barrett, known professionally as Mario, is a Grammy-nominated American R&B singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. He signed a record deal with J Records at age 14 and released his self-titled debut studio album. The lead single, "Just a Friend 2002," reached the top five of the Billboard Hot 100, while the album peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200. Mario's early success in the music industry, achieved while overcoming a challenging upbringing, established him as a prominent voice in contemporary R&B.

His second album, "Turning Point," featured the Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "Let Me Love You," which was nominated for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the Grammy Awards and won two Billboard Music Awards. The single remained at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for nine consecutive weeks and broke the record for radio listeners following its release. Mario continued to build his career with albums such as "Go" and "D.N.A.," and has charted 15 entries on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Billboard ranked him No. 98 on its Artist of the Decade list at the end of the 2000s.

In addition to his music career, Mario has appeared in several television shows and films, including "Step Up," "Freedom Writers," "Dancing with the Stars," and "Empire." He also starred in the live television production of the musical "Rent" and was runner-up on "The Masked Singer." These roles have demonstrated his versatility in the entertainment industry.

Mario's fifth album, "Dancing Shadows," marked his first independent release and showcased greater lyrical introspection and creative control. He followed with the EP "Closer to Mars" through his imprint, New Citizen, and has released new music, including collaborations with Chris Brown and Ty Dolla $ign. Beyond his artistic work, Mario founded the Do Right Foundation to support children affected by drug addiction. His openness about overcoming adversity, including his mother's struggles with substance abuse, has contributed to his reputation as an artist whose story resonates beyond music.