His second album, Turning Point (2004) reached the Top 20 receiving platinum status in the U.S. and was supported by the single "Let Me Love You," which peaked atop the chart, won two Billboard Music Awards, received a Grammy Award nomination, and remains his most commercially successful release.
[4] His fifth album, Dancing Shadows (2018) saw further lyrical introspection and creative control than previous commercially-oriented projects, also serving as his first independent release.
In 2019, Mario starred in the live television production of the Primetime Emmy nominated musical Rent.
Mario joined a musical group in Milford Mill Academy with the oldest son of comedian Mo'Nique and best friend Jaye Brebnor and also his younger god sister Chea Tyler.
He was discovered at age eleven and signed by producer Troy Patterson, after singing "I'll Make Love to You" at a Coppin State College talent show.
[8] His musical influences include Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Brian McKnight, Boyz II Men, Michael Jackson,[9] Usher, and Joe.
The album's lead single "Just a Friend 2002", which was a cover of Biz Markie's song, was a success, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.
He was the opening act on the Scream Tour 3, which featured headliners such as B2K, Marques Houston, Nick Cannon, Jhené Aiko and AJA.
The single, described by reviewers as "melodic and sweetly lilting, reminiscent of Michael Jackson's vintage romantic ballads"[8] was successful, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for nine consecutive weeks.
[10] Mario's third album Go is dedicated to his mom Shawntia Hardaway and was released in South Africa under Gallo Records on October 9, 2007, in the U.S. on December 11, 2007.
The album includes collaborations with Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo, Janice Robinson, Scott Storch, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Timbaland and Bryan-Michael Cox.
In an interview with DJ "Z", Mario stated that problems with the record label caused the album launch to be pushed back 6–8 months.
[15] The album is involving a wide range of producers and songwriters such as Darkchild, Babyface, Polow da Don, RedOne, and CJ of Charlio Productions, Malay, Jazze Pha, Stargate, KP, Tricky Stewart and The-Dream.
"Ooh Baby" was later confirmed to be the third single from the album, it peaked on the week of March 19, 2010 debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 95.
So far, it has sold 93,385 copies in the U.S. Mario recorded an album with producer Rico Love from 2010 to mid-2011 under the tentative title Restoration.
Songs from this album included "My Bed", "Killa", "Bermuda", "The Walls", "Recovery", "Falling Down" and "Computer Love".
Production on the album includes work by Glass John, Bam Alexander, Pollow da Don and possibly Ne-Yo.
In an interview with Vibe, Mario was asked what direction he was trying to go with on his fifth album; his answer was, "I wanna give as much honesty as I can.
[23][24] Through his official Twitter page, on May 17, 2013, Mario confirmed that he has been working with Polow Da Don, for the lead single "Somebody Else" featuring rapper Nicki Minaj was already recorded and released.
He thanked Polow Da Don, Jeremiah Renaldo, Nicki Minaj and CJ Hilton for composing the song.
He stated that his album would be released in September 2013 and may include guest appearances from Minaj, J. Cole and Sevyn Streeter.
[27] Mario announced during a USTREAM interview with Music Choice, his album will be released in October 2013 but was pushed back.
It was to be supported by the single "Forever" featuring Rick Ross, produced by Scott Storch and Draydel which was only leaked online but never was released commercially.
He also announced that his fifth studio album would be now titled Paradise Cove, that is set to be released off of his newly founded independent label New Citizen.
Music Festival in June 2018, announcing that the album Cosmo 17 is now re-titled Dancing Shadows and will be released in the late fall with a new single called "Drowning": "We changed the name of it.
[14] Mario's Do Right Foundation was established in March 2008 to educate and inspire children who suffer from the drug addictions of their parents.
[48] In May, Mario published a notice on the Facebook page of the foundation, saying that he had been in a studio in Miami all night re-recording the song "Do Right" from his 2007 album Go.
[49][non-primary source needed] Since 2016, Mario founded his independent record label New Citizen LLC, and has signed a partnership deal with EMPIRE for distribution.
[50] In 2020, Mario partnered with The Orchard to distribute future music releases after he parted ways from EMPIRE.
[51] MTV aired a special on October 21, 2007, I Won't Love You to Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom, which dealt with his mother's heroin addiction.