Mario | Lyrics

Mario stands out from a sea of similar R&B types because of his non-flashy nature and his humble, working class roots. Born and raised in and around Baltimore, Mario Barrett released his debut album, 2002's Mario, when he was just 15 years old. His first single was an update on Biz Markie's novelty hit "Just a Friend," but he branched out with "Braid My Hair," a tender plea for the intimacy brought on by twisting and tying one's locks.

For young Mario, hair-braiding was a way to escape the rigors of being a teen star; "Sometimes I just wanna go home and tell my girl to braid my hair back in my hood, feelin' good, no worries or no cares," he sang. On Mario's 2004 follow-up he cut off those very braids, presenting a freshly-shorn look in the video for "Let Me Love You." The song became his biggest hit to date, staying at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 for nine weeks. The mid-tempo Scott Storch production found Mario lyrically swooping in on a girl whose man was sneaking around on her; "Baby I just don't get it, do you enjoy being hurt?/ I know you smelled the perfume, the make-up on his shirt." His solution? "You should let me love you."

Mario sounds less convincing on standard club fare such as "Boom"; nine months after Usher's "Yeah," there was no need for a tepid sequel. The lyrically gentle breakup ballad "How Do I Breathe," the first single from 2007's "Go," returns Mario to where he's at his best: Reality.