I can't say how much I love this song... it sounds so fresh. As for the video, a couple things I noticed... I'm guessing his fans weren't feeling the clean shaven look, so Mario ditched the baldie for a more familiar look. Secondly, this video is very fashionable - I need one of those coats in my closet ASAP, the black AND the gray one. Nice mature vibe for the video, goes with the song and I'm diggin it just as much, a good look for the homie from B-More. Thinkin About You is the second official single from D.N.A. and the album is definitely a great one, check out the review here.

Artist: Mario
Album: D.N.A.
Release Date: 10.12.09

The Good: The lead single was a good move: Break Up is the type of club record most R&B singers only dream of while its follow-up Thinkin’ About You re-introduces the more familiar Mario with a very clean, fresh sound and a thumping bass line. The rest of the music on D.N.A. pushes the listener further into the mind of the man Mario has become. There’s a mesh of emotion-ridden lyrics and soulful vocals in the ballads like Stranded, I Choose You and Soundtrack to My Broken Heart. The lyrics bear a great use of imagery and storytelling on I Miss My Friend and Before She Said Hi, both are very poetic. Starlight bears a very versatile sound, a sort of neo-disco feel as Mario plays the impatient yet reserved lover. On the flipside, Mario is at his wit’s end in an unhappy situation on Get Out which has more stressed undertones and an angry verse from Ludacris to help convey the story. Don’t Walk Away is another favorite, a power ballad delivered beautifully over a screaming guitar. The vocals are very raw and open on the closing track The Hardest Moment, and the emotions run deep in the lyrics.

The Ungood: There’s not much to dislike about this album. There were a few spots where I felt Mario sounded a bit restrained, like on Starlight. Though it’s a great track, I felt he held back a bit. There are moments where Mario's vocals get a bit whiny and nasally which can be annoying, but th

The Bottom Line: D.N.A. is a mature mix of R&B, hip-hop and soft pop records, but most importantly this album is his most honest and vulnerable to date, a true reflection of his inner being. The great thing about this album is that it's not dominated by the often-overpowering production by today's biggest producers. Outside of Break Up, the production here is very simple and gives way for Mario’s piercing vocals to take center stage and he delivers 100%. As it should, and as his other albums do, D.N.A. focuses on Mario’s mature vocals, toggling easily and intelligently between his warm lower tones and his rich falsetto. The content is mature and versatile and you can hear his growth as an artist and a man. The delivery on this album is excellent and the title is most appropriate. After listening to this album, Mario's DNA is pure music and love.

Sound-Savvy rates D.N.A. with 4 out of 5 platinum headphones.

Clearly meant for the ladies, Mario steps back onto the scene with the steamy video for Break Up, the first single from his forthcoming album And Then There Was Me.

If you don't know who Sean Garrett is, he's 'the pen' behind many of today's biggest R&B hits, and his catalog ranges from artists like Mario and Chris Brown (Wall to Wall) to Beyonce (Diva, Upgrade U) , so he's been doing his thing for a minute. I still hate seeing Mario paired up with wack rappers like Gucci Mane and Rich Boy (from his previous album), but the song is still a banger. Oh, and fellas Nuvo is such a chick drink...


In a UStream appearance earlier this week, Mario confirmed that his new album is set for a September 2009 release.

Mother's Day is coming up: Sunday May 11, and Sound-Savvy would like to take the time to shout out those special women who have done so much in our lives. Being a mother is about more than just pushing out a kid; we recognize the struggles, and appreciate the sacrifices. Fortunately, so do many music artists, so we dedicate this countdown to all the mothers, especially those moms rockin with Sound-Savvy!

Artist: Jay-Z

Song: December 4^th

What better way to honor your mom than to put her on a track? Jay and Mama Carter take a trip down memory lane on this opening track to the Black Album, Jay’s first exit to retirement. With mom narrating and Jay spittin’ the flow, could there be a better mother and son collaboration?

Artist: Jamie Foxx
Song: I Wish You Were Here

This song was written for the woman who raised Foxx, his grandmother. For many, grandmothers were mothers, and Jamie does a masterful job of paying homage to the special woman who raised and molded him. Grandmothers all over the world, we love ya’ll just as much.

Artist: Talib Kweli
Song: Momma Can You Hear Me

If you’ve never heard this, don’t fret – it’s unreleased. This joint was recorded during the Eardrum sessions but is set to be released on the forthcoming Prisoner of Conscious and was produced by Kanye West. Everybody knows how Kweli flows, just imagine him spittin a whole song to his mom. Very deep listening.

Artist: Raheem Devaughn
Song: Woman

Once again reppin the DMV, Raheem celebrates the beauty of women as a whole, from the things we love, to the things that drive us crazy – and yes, even the little things. Woman is featured on Raheem Devaughn’s sophomore studio release Love Behind The Melody.

Artist: GhostFace and Mary J. Blige
Song: All That I Got Is You

A heart wrenching shout to moms and grandmothers accompanied by a tear jerking video clip. From overcrowded living spaces, to borrowing food from your neighbors just to make it, this song delves into the struggles a mother will endure for her children.

Artist: Anthony Hamilton

Song: Mama Knew Love

This is the opening cut from his debut Comin From Where I’m From. This is a reminiscent cut with a simple message – no matter how hard life got, Mama always knew love for her children.

Artist: 2Pac
Song: Dear Mama

Without question, Tupac was a lyricist beyond his years and his peers in the rap game. ‘Pac wrote this song to symbolize his appreciation for the one woman who would always understand him -- in life and beyond the grave.

Artist: Mario
Song: Do Right

In 2007, Mario filmed a documentary, I Love You, But I won’t Love You to Death, which chronicled his struggles with his mother’s addiction to heroin. This song is featured on his latest project Go (2007) and explains his love for her in spite of her addiction and his admiration for her as she overcame it.

Artist: Kanye West
Song: Hey Mama

This cut is from The Louis Vuitton Don himself and it was a shout to the woman who single-handedly helped him reach his dreams. With the passing of his mother last year, one thing this joint teaches, is to honor your mother while she’s still here. Rest in Peace Dr. West.

Artist: Boyz II Men
Song: A Song For Mama

Timeless is this cut from those 4 Philly boys. This track was featured on their Evolution CD and the Soul Food soundtrack. Not since this classic was released has there been a better R&B dedication to mothers all over the world that simply says I love you.