Mario

Mario Dewar Barrett (born 27 August 1986; Baltimore, Maryland), known mononymously as Mario, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, dancer and actor.
 

Early Life

Mario was born in Baltimore to mother Shawntia Hardaway and father Derryl Barrett Sr., a singer in the gospel group Reformation; he has a half-brother, Derryl "D.J." Barrett Jr., who became a professional drummer.

Raised largely by his grandmother in west Baltimore and surrounding working-class neighbourhoods while his mother struggled with drug addiction, Mario declared at the age of four that he wanted to become a singer, and his mother bought him a karaoke machine to encourage him. He learned to play piano, a skill that later became foundational to his songwriting, and began performing for tips at a local barbershop before entering talent shows.

At eleven, his rendition of Boyz II Men's "I'll Make Love to You" at a talent show at Coppin State College caught the attention of producer Troy Patterson of Third Street Music Group, who signed him and helped launch his professional career.

Career

Mario signed with J Records at the age of fourteen and released his self-titled debut album in 2002, which included the hit single "Just a Friend (2002)," a modern rendition of Biz Markie's 1989 classic. His second album, Turning Point (2004), produced his signature hit, "Let Me Love You," which spent nine consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned the album a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album, alongside two Billboard Music Awards.

His third album, Go! (2007), included "Do Right," a song dedicated to his mother addressing her struggle with addiction and its effect on his childhood; that same year, MTV aired the documentary I Won't Love You to Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom, produced by Gigantic! Productions, which won the 2008 Prism Award for its portrayal of drug abuse.

In 2008, Mario competed on the sixth season of Dancing with the Stars, partnered with professional dancer Karina Smirnoff. His fourth album, D.N.A. (2009), produced further singles including "How Do I Breathe" and "Break Up," and that same year he became the face of PETA's "Ink, Not Mink" campaign.

Mario has collaborated with artists including Ne-Yo, Gucci Mane, Nicki Minaj and Timbaland, and was named to Billboard's "Artist of the Decade" list for 2000–2010. Beyond music, he has built a substantial acting career, with roles in the films Step Up and Freedom Writers and the television series Empire.

In 2016, he launched his own independent label, New Citizen, releasing the single "I Need More," and followed it with his fifth studio album, Dancing Shadows (2018), his first full-length release in nearly a decade.

In 2026, he is set to make his film production debut with the New Citizen-produced Christmas film Style Me For Christmas, airing on BET, and has been at work on a new album, Glad You Came, executive-produced by James Fauntleroy.
 

Personal Life

Mario's relationship with his mother, and his efforts to support her through addiction, shaped much of his early public life and artistic output; she passed away in June 2017. Through his New Citizen imprint, he has continued to champion independent artistry within R&B, and his early candour about family struggles with addiction has been credited with helping to destigmatise the subject for fans facing similar challenges.

Across more than two decades in the public eye, Mario has remained a respected figure in contemporary R&B, known both for his vocal talent and his willingness to speak openly about personal hardship.

Current Activities

Mario continues to perform live, with tour dates scheduled through 2026 and 2027, and is preparing the release of his new album, Glad You Came, alongside the premiere of his film Style Me For Christmas on BET.