Dancing With The Stars has occasionally been known to revive careers, but it's mostly just a vast graveyard of celebrity has-beens or never-have-beens. Though it's too early to say whether Mario's appearance on the show will help his new album D.N.A., one thing is certain about this project–Mario is just as anonymous as ever.
When he stormed onto the R&B scene in 2002, Mario had some semblance of an image. He was that cute kid who sampled Biz Markie! There was a clear market for his innocent boy-next-door schtick, but as his music matured with his age… he started to fade into the background aside similar artists.
Most of the songs on D.N.A. could appear on an album by The-Dream, Jeremih, Trey Songz or J. Holiday. Therefore, Mario's failure to make them his own is somehow even more tragic. You're rooting for him to bring a level of personality that makes you say, "Hey, isn't this that Mario song?" Instead, you're left wondering, "Who the hell is singing this again?"
Even amongst such anonymity, there's no denying a great radio-jam when you hear it, and D.N.A. is packing a fist full of them. If you care enough to lend Mario your ears, be sure to check out "Soundtrack to My Broken Heart", a surefire forerunner for third single.
– Dewitt
Mario is super secsi; he’s got a great bod!
he shude do more to get his name/brand out there b/c he really is a good artist.
looking forward to hearing his album.
I’m sorry to hear his album isn’t quite up to par. I’m still interested in hearing it though, the “R&B head” that I am. I’ve liked the two singles from the album thus far. And I do like all of the singers you compared his sound to…well, maybe except for Jeremih.
Part of me wishes Mario could do something to follow up the mainstream successes of Just A Friend and Let Me Love You. But I almost think I’d rather he be a stand out R&B artist with that more loyal fan base than transition to a Pop artist and get lost in the shuffle.