Mario (album)
Encyclopedia
Mario is a the debut album by singer Mario, released on March 19, 2002 when he was still 15 years old. It features hits "Just a Friend 2002
," "Braid My Hair
" and "C'mon". The album sold over 96,000 copies in the first week and was eventually certified Gold
, selling over 596,000 copies. In 2006 a single called "Just a Friend [Old School Version]" was released in Japan.
, Marques Houston
and B2K
As a opening act
", which is a cover of Biz Markie
's hit "Just a Friend", was an instant hit. It outperformed the original song on the Billboard Hot 100
chart peaking at number 4, in Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
the song reached number 2, becoming the second most successful single in the U.S. by Mario. In the UK it reached number 18. Braid My Hair
was the second single by Mario. In comparison with the debut single it was a disappointment, reaching only 74 on Billboard Hot 100
and 18 at Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
. The third and final single "C'mon" peaked 61 at Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
and 21 in the UK.
Just a Friend 2002
"Just a Friend 2002" is a R&B single by Mario. It is the first single from his first studio album Mario which was a cover of Biz Markie's hit, "Just a Friend". The single was released on May of 2002. The single was produced by Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell and written by Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell,...
," "Braid My Hair
Braid My Hair
"Braid My Hair" is a R&B single by Mario. It is the second single from his first studio album Mario. The single was released on October of 2002. The single it was produced and written by Warryn Campbell and written by Harold Lilly.-Charts:...
" and "C'mon". The album sold over 96,000 copies in the first week and was eventually certified Gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
, selling over 596,000 copies. In 2006 a single called "Just a Friend [Old School Version]" was released in Japan.
Critical response
Dan LeRoy from Allmusic states the album "offers doses of the real thing; its combination of Nickelodeon-style charm and authentic substance are reminiscent of nothing so much as a young Michael Jackson, with none of the creepy subtext. While it misses out on the humor of the original, the cover of Biz Markie's "Just a Friend" proves a shrewd update of the unwillingly platonic classic, and serves as a gateway to better originals, including a few slow numbers most teens have neither the chutzpah to try or the chops to handle. "Chick Wit' da Braids" and the swirling, organ-laced "Never" lead that pack, and the second song about cornrows, "Braid My Hair," manages to evoke the downside of being a child star without sounding like an ungrateful punk. Naturally, you have to excuse a certain amount of filler to believe fully in Mario's potential, but most of these 11 tracks offer generous hints of it".Promotion
2002-03 Pandemonium/Scream Tour 3 with Bow Wow, R.O.C., Denim, Nick CannonNick Cannon
Nicholas Scott "Nick" Cannon is an American actor, comedian, rapper, entrepreneur, record producer, radio, and television personality. On television, Cannon began as a teenage sketch comedian on All That before going on to host The Nick Cannon Show, Wild 'N Out, and America's Got Talent...
, Marques Houston
Marques Houston
Marques Barrett Houston is an American R&B singer, songwriter, rapper, and actor. A member of the R&B singing group Immature/IMx until 2002, he went solo in 2003. He is also the cousin of J-Boog, former member of the R&B/Hip-Hop group B2K....
and B2K
B2K
B2K was an American R&B music group. The group met in 1998, established in 2001, and managed by music producer Chris Stokes with Lil' Fizz, J-Boog, Raz-B, and Omarion as members. The group disbanded in 2004 due to internal disagreements.-2001-2002: B2K:...
As a opening act
Singles
The debut single, "Just a Friend 2002Just a Friend 2002
"Just a Friend 2002" is a R&B single by Mario. It is the first single from his first studio album Mario which was a cover of Biz Markie's hit, "Just a Friend". The single was released on May of 2002. The single was produced by Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell and written by Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell,...
", which is a cover of Biz Markie
Biz Markie
Marcel Theo Hall better known by his stage name, Biz Markie, is an American rapper, beatboxer, DJ, comedian, singer, reality television personality, and commercial spokesperson. He is best known for his single "Just a Friend", an American Top 10 hit in 1989...
's hit "Just a Friend", was an instant hit. It outperformed the original song on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart peaking at number 4, in Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
the song reached number 2, becoming the second most successful single in the U.S. by Mario. In the UK it reached number 18. Braid My Hair
Braid My Hair
"Braid My Hair" is a R&B single by Mario. It is the second single from his first studio album Mario. The single was released on October of 2002. The single it was produced and written by Warryn Campbell and written by Harold Lilly.-Charts:...
was the second single by Mario. In comparison with the debut single it was a disappointment, reaching only 74 on Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and 18 at Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
. The third and final single "C'mon" peaked 61 at Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
and 21 in the UK.
Track listing
Personal and credits
- Vocals: Mario
- Mixing: Manny Marroquin, Tony Maserati, Ben Arondale, Tony Black & Jon Gass
- Arranger: Mischke
- Vocals (Background): Mischke, Alicia Keys & Mario
- Vocal Producer: Mischke
- Guitar: John Jubu Smith
- Bass: Neil Stubenhaus
- Engineer: Layout Jan Fairchild, Dave Russell, Thor Laewe, Jeff Allen & Tony Black
- Guitar: Xavier Marquez
- Pro-Tools: Erik Steinert
- Executive Producer: Troy Patterson, Peter Edge & Clive Davis
- A&R: Ronald B. Gillyard, Larry Jackson
- Photography: Michael Lavine
- Photo Production: Chris LeBeau
- Cover: Gregory Burke
- Stylist: June Ambrose
- Production Coordination: Jolie Levine-Aller
- Project Coordenation: Sandra Campbell
- Multi Instruments: Warryn Campbell & Alicia Keys
Charts
| Chart (2002) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 9 |
| U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums | 3 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| United States | July 23, 2002 | J J Records J Records was an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment, and was distributed through the RCA Music Group.-Company history:... |
| Japan | July 28, 2006 | BMG Japan |