With nearly 10 million records sold across his 21-year career, singer-actor Mario stands as one of the most critically acclaimed male R&B vocalists of his generation.
Boasting Billboard top 10 hits like ‘Crying Out for Me,’ ‘Just a Friend,’ and ‘Let Me Love You,’ the GRAMMY nominee (born Mario Barrett) has gotten more than his fair share of love from fans, critics, and industry peers alike over the years for his agile vocal stylings and delivering some of his genre’s most memorable hits from the 2000s.
For those reasons and others, the 37-year-old isn’t shying away from receiving his flowers – even if he has to give them to himself.
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Chatting it up with TMZ recently, Mario staked his claim among R&B’s GOATs after being quizzed on who should make the cut for the genre’s “Mt. Rushmore” – a colloquial reference to who ranks as the greatest of all time.
“Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, me,” he said. “You know why I say that? Hold on. I grew up listening to so many different types of music — my mother and my grandmother — so I got like two generations of soul music, just great R&B.”
He concluded his list with inclusion of R&B veteran Usher and late Pop icon Whitney Houston.
And while the somewhat braggadocious quote definitely got tongues wagging, it wasn’t all he said. On a more inspiring tip, Mario not only nodded the greats of the past but suggested R&B isn’t done churning out noteworthy acts.
“I think what can help with R&B culture is getting back to raw music. Really taking your time to create timeless music, instead of just hits,” he said. “Get back to artist development. Back to just creating music that can stand the test of time.”
Did you miss his commentary when it first made headlines? Check it out in full above.
Delusional. He hasn’t been relevant since the 2000’s. He can sang doe.
Delusional. 💯
He’s just a BASIC ordinary r&b act, just 1 step above Keri Hilson, 1 step below kelly Rowland and several steps behind Chris Brown… A few hundred miles behind Usher.
& He can forget about Michael jackson & beyonce because he’s several hundred light years behind those 2.
He’s super talented, y’all just don’t respect that! He can truly sing his b*** off in the studio and on stage. He’s been true to R&B the entire time, but y’all have been sleep.
Shut up Mario Bros
He’s a real vocalist.
Thank you!
Mario isn’t on anyone’s radar. He’s very cocky for someone who hasn’t had a hit since Bush was in office. *laughs in Chris brown*
He’s just having fun with the question. He wasn’t trying to compare himself to anyone and spark a debate. But Mario has plenty of great music. People just haven’t paid attention; they don’t find him entertaining enough. A great voice and good personality used to be enough.
Vocally he could be there cause but musically? he had 2 good albums then poof
Firstly he is slept on and underrated. DNA had a messy roll out hampered by an atrocious single (Break Up) but the album is otherwise a solid gold slab of R&B. Everything since has been great too but to sit alongside greats like MJ, WH and Usher, you need to have touring prowess and longevity. Mario simply doesn’t have that recognition. Sorry bae
Despite him being underrated he has been consistently releasing solid r&b songs which have been overlooked. Mario just needs a better team as he is really talented and he’s a technical vocal beast who doesn’t get his flowers either.