Mario Dewar Barrett, known mononymously as Mario, is an American singer, songwriter, actor, dancer, and model. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, he signed a record deal with J Records at the age of fourteen, and recorded his eponymous debut album released in 2002. It includes the top 10 single, "Just a Friend 2002". His second album Turning Point, was released in 2004, and produced the number one single "Let Me Love You", which won him two Billboard Music Awards. His third studio album Go was released in December 2007, and included the singles "How Do I Breathe", "Crying Out for Me" and "Music for Love". His fourth studio album D.N.A. was released in 2009, and included the singles "Break Up" and "Thinkin' About You". At the end of the 2000s decade, Mario was ranked No. 98 by Billboard on their "Artist of the Decade" list. His fifth album Dancing Shadows, released in 2018, saw him in a more introspective sound than previous albums.
"Crybaby" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey featuring American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on April 17, 2000 by Columbia Records as a double A-side with "Can't Take That Away ". It was written by Carey and Snoop Dogg, and produced by the former and Damizza for Carey's seventh studio album, Rainbow (1999). It serves as the album's fourth single. It features Snoop Dogg throughout the song's bridge and is built around a sample of the 1988 song "Piece of My Love," originally performed by Guy and written by Teddy Riley, Aaron Hall, Timmy Gatling and Gene Griffin. Throughout the song, the protagonist reveals the struggles of dealing with insomnia and thoughts of a past relationship during the night, as she spirals out of control and declares "I gotta get me some sleep."
"Me, Myself and I" is a song by American singer Beyoncé from her debut solo studio album Dangerously in Love (2003). It was written by Beyoncé, Scott Storch and Robert Waller and produced by Storch with guitar played by musician Aaron Fishbein. Beyoncé decided that she wanted a deeper and more personal song as the third single; the song was sent by Columbia Records and Music World Entertainment to contemporary hit radio in the United States on October 19, 2003. "Me, Myself and I" is an R&B song about dealing with a philandering partner and learning from the consequences.
"What Hurts the Most" is a song written by American songwriter Jeffrey Steele and English songwriter Steve Robson. Initially recorded by country music artist Mark Wills in 2003 on his album And the Crowd Goes Wild, it was covered by Bellefire a year later. The first version to be released as a single was by pop singer Jo O'Meara in 2005, from the album Relentless. Later that year, country band Rascal Flatts covered the song as well, releasing it as the first single from the 2006 album Me and My Gang, topping the U.S country and adult contemporary charts with it. German band Cascada later had international chart success with the song in 2007. It was also covered by Eden in 2008.
"Be Without You" is a song by American recording artist Mary J. Blige. It was written by Johnta Austin, Bryan Michael Cox, Jason Perry, and Blige for her seventh studio album, The Breakthrough (2005). Production was helmed by Cox and Young Smoke, while vocal production was overseen by Ron Fair and Blige. It was released as the album's first official single on November 14, 2005.
"Unfaithful" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her second studio album A Girl like Me (2006). It was written by Shaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith with the song's producers Stargate. The song was released by Def Jam Recordings on May 1, 2006, as the second single from the album. "Unfaithful" is a pop and R&B ballad and was inspired by the music of American rock band Evanescence. Originally titled "Murderer", the single speaks about a woman who regrets cheating on her partner.
Keri Lynn Hilson is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She was born and raised in Decatur, Georgia and spent most of her youth working with producer Anthony Dent as a songwriter and background vocalist for several R&B and hip hop artists. By the age of 14, Hilson had secured a record deal with the girl group D'Signe, which later disbanded. She attended Oxford College of Emory University in Georgia while she continued writing songs for artists including Britney Spears, The Pussycat Dolls, and Mary J. Blige, with the production and songwriting team The Clutch. In 2006, Hilson signed with American rapper and producer Timbaland's record label Mosley Music. Her breakthrough came in 2007 after appearing on Timbaland's single "The Way I Are", which topped charts around the world.
"I Changed My Mind" is a song by American R&B recording artist Keyshia Cole, recorded for her debut album, The Way It Is (2005). It was written by the singer along with John Legend and Kanye West, while production on the track was helmed by the latter. Released on November 9, 2004 as the lead single from the album, it was mildly successful commercially, peaking at number 71 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 23 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.
"London Bridge" is a song recorded by American singer and rapper Fergie for her debut studio album, The Dutchess (2006). It was written by Fergie, Mike Hartnett, Sean Garrett, and producer Polow da Don. It was released as the lead single from the album and serviced to contemporary hit and rhythmic radio stations in the United States on July 18, 2006. "London Bridge" is a hip hop song with dance influences. It contains compositional samples of "Down to The Nightclub" as performed by Tower of Power.
"Promise" is a song performed by American recording artist Ciara from her second studio album, Ciara: The Evolution (2006). It was written by Ciara, Jasper Cameron, Polow da Don and Elvis Williams and produced by Polow da Don. The remix features singer R. Kelly, which was removed from streaming services in early 2019 after sexual misconduct allegations against Kelly were published. The song was released as the album's official lead single on October 16, 2006, through LaFace Records. The song was selected as the first single as Ciara wanted to put out a single with a slower pace, noting that her previous releases had been up-tempo. According to Ciara, the song represents the album's theme of evolving and symbolizes her growth as a songwriter and artist.
"Glamorous" is a song recorded by American singer Fergie featuring American rapper Ludacris for the former's debut studio album, The Dutchess (2006). It was released as the third single from The Dutchess worldwide except for in the United Kingdom, where it served as the second single. The song was serviced to mainstream radios on January 23, 2007, and to Rhythmic radios on February 20, 2007, in the United States, through A&M Records, together with will.i.am Music Group and Interscope Records.
"Runaway Love" is the third single released from Ludacris' fifth album, Release Therapy (2006). The song, which features Mary J. Blige on the vocals, was produced by Polow da Don and reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart only behind Justin Timberlake's "What Goes Around... Comes Around". The song was the first single from Release Therapy in the United Kingdom and was released as a double A-side with "Girls Gone Wild" included. The song was performed at the 2007 Grammy Awards show by Ludacris, Mary J. Blige and Earth, Wind & Fire. A remix of the song is available by T-Pain featuring Cassie.
Go is the third studio album by American recording artist Mario, released by J Records on December 11, 2007. It is Mario's first album to receive a parental advisory sticker in the United States, and his second to receive a parental advisory sticker in the UK.
In a Perfect World... is the debut studio album of American singer-songwriter Keri Hilson. It was released on March 24, 2009, through Zone 4, Mosley Music Group and Interscope Records. Originally planned for a 2007 release, it was pushed back numerous times into 2008, amid her label's budget issues and minor single releases. The production on the album was handled primarily by Timbaland, Polow da Don and Danja, among others.
"Turnin Me On" is a song by American singer-songwriter Keri Hilson, from her debut album, In a Perfect World... The song features American rapper Lil Wayne who co-wrote the song alongside Hilson and Zachary Anson Wallace. Production credits are shared between Danja and Polow da Don, who also co-wrote the song. Following the minimal chart success of Hilson's worldwide lead single "Energy" in the United States, international markets received "Return the Favor", while "Turnin Me On" was released as the third single in the US.
"Never Ever" is a song performed by R&B singer Ciara. It is the first single released from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. The song features rapper Young Jeezy, was produced by Polow da Don, and was co-written by Ciara and Elvis "BlacElvis" Williams, who both produced and co-wrote Ciara's single, "Promise", from her second album, Ciara: The Evolution.
D.N.A. is the fourth studio album by American R&B singer Mario. It was released first in the United Kingdom on October 12, 2009 by RCA Records and the following day in the US with J Records. On the album Mario has worked with some songwriters he already worked with, including Bryan-Michael Cox as well as new collaborators including The-Dream, Soundz and Jim Jonsin amongst others.
"Break Up" is the first single from Mario's fourth studio album D.N.A.. It features and was co-written by Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett with production and additional writing from Shondrae "Bangladesh" Crawford. The single was first premiered on the radio station V-103 at March 30, 2009 with Greg Street.
New Life is the seventh studio album by American singer Monica, released by RCA Records on April 6, 2012. It marked the singer's debut release with the company following the disbandment of her former label, J Records in October 2011. A musical continuation of her commercially successful 2010 album Still Standing, Monica started working on the album only weeks after the release of the former. She reteamed primarily with frequent writers and producers, including Bryan-Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri, Missy Elliott, and Cainon Lamb but also collaborated with new and upcoming producers such as singer Rico Love, whose songs replaced much of her cousin, producer Polow da Don's original material.
"Somebody Else" is a song recorded by American R&B singer-songwriter Mario, featuring guest vocals from Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj. The song was released in the United States as a digital download on May 21, 2013, on RCA Records.
