Published: Tuesday - May 29, 2007
Words by Sheon Reid
Mario (Photo: J Records)
Since dropping his sophomore set, Turning Point, in 2004, Mario has been flying below the radar. Aside from portraying the role of a teen street survivor, Andre, for the blockbuster "Freedom Writers," he has spent the past three years touring and handling legal activities that caused his album to be delayed several times. On July 31st however, Mario will re-emerge into the mainstream with his third studio album, GO (to be released off of J Records).
Things are a little different this time around though. Ironically, Mario stole everyone's heart with "Let Me Love You," but this time around, he is questioning himself without your love on the leadoff single, "How Do I Breathe?" The emotional record will be an accurate glimpse into the singer's album has to offer. "I wanted an international record to go around the world with in order to introduce my new style that you will hear on GO," he explains.
That new style pits Mario exploring a broad range of sounds to display his skills, whether it's from his highly favored "Kryptonite" featuring Rich Boy to "Crying Out For Me," which is slated to be the next single. Throughout the appropriately titled GO, Mario creates the atmosphere for the level of excitement he wants you to experience while listening to the album. "GO is sexier and more passionate, but there's another, more personal side to album as well," he says.
Mario's growth as a recording artist and an individual has helped to expand his fan base to a more mature audience. That's why it's so hard to believe it has been almost five years since he made his debut as the fifteen-year-old teenager with cornrows singing to the remake of Biz Markie's unforgettable classic, "Just A Friend." His success continued to grow and his 2004 sophomore album, Turning Point, was all the proof anyone needed as it achieved double-platinum status by the RIAA. Meanwhile, he changed his appearance and developed into a more confident artist. With a new found energy, the singer insists his album is different from previous efforts because he has had time to grow. "I was more involved with this project," he explains. "As a result, this is my most personal album yet."
Fortunately for Mario, he was able to collaborate with several A-list producers for GO including Stargate who produced his first single, "How Do I Breathe" to the Neptunes producing the title track "GO," a romantic ballad that differs from the commercial norm. "The setting is a party environment, a girl meets a guy and he tells her I am not trying to be your boyfriend or wake up next to you," Mario confesses. "It's a fun record for the clubbers."
The album also includes production from Knightrider, Timbaland and Akon. Speaking of Akon, not only does he compose "Do Right," which acknowledges Mario's painful upbringing, but he is also featured on it. In addition to his impressive list of producers, he has another notable guest appearance by Tyrese on "Who."
By the time July 31st rolls around, Mario will probably stay on the GO.
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