His soulful and melodic voice made young girls buckle at the knees with his first few singles "Just a Friend" and "Let Me Love You." Now, Mario is back with his third studio album titled, Go due in stores December 11, 2007. The Baltimore, Maryland native, a self-described old-soul, reflects on his journey growing up in the spotlight, in turn showing the world a different side to Mario. "Go shows multiple personalities of me, I challenge myself vocally on this record," Mario says. "The album is a masterpiece; it will touch people of all genres."
Go utilizes hip-hop influences as well as a throwback to soul sensibilities incorporated with lyrical honesty to reveal exactly what's been on Mario's mind. As much as he would like to shun the statement "coming of age," it fits so perfectly with the album and what has been going on in his life. Mario has truly grown up, and Go reaffirms that he is just as talented as he was when he was fifteen. Except this time, Mario explores his sensual and sexual side, a side that has been hidden from the public since his debut.
Collaborating with Pharell, The Neptunes, Timbaland, Stargate, Sean Garrett, Mr. Collipark and Akon, Go produces a stellar line up from a stellar star who confirms his spot in the music industry. Singer, songwriter, producer Akon contributed to the emotional song "Do Right" in which Mario talks about his relationship with his mother, who is a recovering drug addict, and how he has been able to overcome life's challenges, being raised by his grandmother, in order to pursue his love for singing.
"I never looked at music as a way out," Mario says. "Music is something that I love to do, that's the way I kept it."
The song "How Do I Breathe," is the melodic first single where Mario lets his guard down and shows his fans that he is human. "Go," Mario describes as aggressive and upbeat.
"I'm exposing a bad boyish side of myself," he says. "Most people are used to me singing love songs, I'm not there to sell her the sky...I'm telling her how I really feel, I want to take her home after the club."
Mario does showcase a growth process on Go but he assures that there are still plenty of songs on his new album that fans can relate to. He says that Go was really about finding out who he really was, and he asks his fans to come along for the journey.
While it has been a pretty cool ride thus far, with millions of albums sold, Grammy nods and Billboard Music Awards as well as a few movies under his belt, the Mario train isn't making anymore local stops..he's on the express for longevity.
