Check It. Mario took an old skool classic by Biz Markee, mixed it all up for 2002, and bam! "Just A Friend 2002" is the summer jam. Just like that it's all over the radio, playing at every afterparty, and at every cookout. But who is this cat anyway?
Mario grew up in Baltimore before moving to his current home in New Jersey. His mom groomed his singing talents at an early age by supplying a karaoke machine and piano. Says the prodigy, "I played with the tools that she had given me and went for broke! From that experience I have learned to create and develop harmonies by just listening to the melodies." Like little Mozart, Mario dabbled with the piano in front of astonished adults.

In short, Mario began life as a big dreamer. He knew he wanted to be an entertainer when he was only 4 years old. Recalling the day he'd answered the career question, the 15 year old says, "I was downstairs in my house barely dressed wearing mismatching shoes. My mother heard me singing and at first she thought it was the radio playing loud. When she came downstairs she was shocked when she realized that it was me."

The former frequent talent show contestant remembers when not so long ago, he would enter more singing competitions than he could count. Fortunately for Mario the end result would have him fulfilling his dream of becoming the entertainer he was born to be.

Forging ahead, within months Mario - whose musical influences are Usher, Brian McKnight, Joe and Stevie Wonder - went into the studio to record his debut album for J Records. The album's first single "Just A Friend 2002" was written and produced by musical veteran Warryn Campbell and pays tribute to the 80's hip-hop hit "Just A Friend" by legendary rapper Biz Markie. Markie is featured in the video clip of "Just A Friend 2002" which was shot on location in Mario's hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.

In addition to Campbell's contributions, Mario's debut features production by Harvey Mason (Brandy, Babyface, Tyrese), Gerald Isaac (Mary J. Blige, Angie Stone) and five-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys who contributes two stand-out cuts "Put Me On" and "2 Train." "Not only is he full of personality" says Alicia, "he has one of the most beautiful and original voices I've ever heard from such a young man. He doesn't sound like anyone else and he already knows what he wants to do vocally. With time, he will only master this even more. That's my lil' man and I'm watchin' over him."

When time permits Mario plays video games and football with his friends. "I have a thing for Playstation and I'm really comp 1

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