Mario Sings Drake, Usher, and Ashanti in a Game of Song Association | ELLE

Many of us who grew up in the 2000s were thrilled when some of our favorite acts from the aughts announced a production to sate our teenage dreams: The Millennium Tour. Mario - who swooned us with his debut single "Just a Friend (2002)" - is one of the main attractions on the stateside serenade... and for good reason. In our latest episode of Song Association, Mario stopped by ELLE.com to play our favorite game, with throwbacks from Drake, Usher, and Ashanti in tow.
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[@camorreetinsley8719]

Me: "sees Mario" My brain: *BABY YOU SHOULD LET ME LOVE YOU LET ME BE THE ONE TO GIVE YOU EVERYTHING YOU WANT AND NEED*

[@xx-nc5zz]

Same 😍

[@jessijademusic]

lmao yes

[@cleoresemanes8852]

Camorree Tinsley yaaassss. He was my first ever crush. The crush is back again.

[@zazabami6789]

Yeeees

[@amylldawson7330]

ahhh yes😹😻

[@TalianaRietten]

They don't sing like him anymore. 90s/early 2000s were everything.

[@midnightmarauder2239]

If you don't hush and actually start looking for music

[@TalianaRietten]

@@midnightmarauder2239 Girl is my opinion and I'm entitled to it. They don't sing like him ANYMORE.

[@TalianaRietten]

@Daniel Williams Okay love u will

[@marezalucero8835]

Big facts

[@MadisonFalco]

Yeah we need music like this made by these big names again because Let Me Love You will always be fire because of his voice and tone😍

[@jada1367]

Felt like he was flirting with whoever was saying the words

[@andreashley6084]

Definitely Definitely definitely got that vibe lmao

[@blacdharma2381]

He was flirting with me girl!!! 😭😭😭 that’s how he made me feel 😩

[@marshajulessa2995]

Yessss them winks be there.

[@jparanormaltheweatherman2062]

Y'all silly these replies from this comment is funny

[@baatile]

I love how this game reveals every artist’s unique musical taste... 🤣

[@motyekabts-army9044]

Yep

[@DoveVzn]

Same lol

[@jessicarespress2776]

Whoaaa. He need to chill with that Jagged Edge Promise. I almost got pregnant.

[@MsDaideyMaingi]

Jessica Respress lol I felt that

[@tanyajessica5138]

😂😂☠️☠️

[@Christina-fn6gz]

😭😂😩

[@bakurawthesupersaiyanhair937]

LOL

[@gangstagrizzlezz]

😂

[@ELLE]

Mario. Whew. *FAINTS*. Which teenage heartthrob should we invite next?

[@justine_adri05]

Shawn Mendes pleaseee😍😊💜

[@AKae95]

Zac Efron lol

[@betty3839]

chris brown !!

[@samiyahm8189]

u should do one with will smith, willow smith and camila cabello

[@mayax2431]

TORI KELLY OR JESSIE J

[@satiyahmckinzie204]

When he sung “Just A Friend”. How do you sound better than your own song 😂

[@DemarioDon]

Satiyah Mckinzie give me a listen

[@jasz28]

💯💯

[@MoMo-bx9gk]

Lol that's cuz he did the riffs and runs here and they don't like that on the actual video and album

[@natidiva247]

He’s older now

[@kai-anngillie1159]

Lol hugh missed him

[@mskagome118]

There were people shocked about him in the versus battle with Omarion I wasn’t. The exact same way he sounds on the album/radio is the exact same way he sounds in person.

[@Trini190]

Yup highly talented

[@mrssmith6479]

FACTS!!

[@veragrig8645]

I just realized how much missed him and the type RnB music their generation was making

[@sonyap8253]

I don't like how you said "their generation" like ...girl.

[@eoa363]

@@sonyap8253 😂

[@malloriemusic1]

He still puts music out....check his soundcloud

[@zeybey_2902]

Vera Grig same thoughts 😍😍

[@DemarioDon]

Vera Grig give me a listen

[@tarnip8986]

His voice is 🔥🔥🔥... but I swear he was making up some of those lyrics 😂

[@pamelakmuhammad2274]

Lol I agree but I didn't even care

[@pamelakmuhammad2274]

What a b voice 😎😍😘😘

[@terrimurphy5894]

Yeeees. . . Lol. 😂😂😂

[@feliciagray5781]

😂 he made up all the words 😂

[@cindypickett5486]

Loll

[@DrAdnan]

Mario’s one of the legit singers in the industry who doesn’t need autotune

[@amyu.9722]

Damn, he’s still fine. Hasn’t aged a day swear to God Black don’t crack 😂

[@itallaboutme773]

Amy U. He is only 33 that okay for black ppl to age

[@tallissajohns7176]

Periodt...! 🖤💃

[@youknowwhatflav9916]

Why would he crack if he just in his early 30s ??

[@R-Mc]

Your very beautiful

[@R-Mc]

Take a listen to my song tell me what you think kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4u1louLjdGZn9k

[@MamaSisi]

I would love to hear Mario sing more acapella. He’s got some serious vocals!

[@andreamyhoodmusiccarter2406]

I love it's

[@josephclegg3562]

Don't he tho? Very talented.

[@alonnahsymone7634]

Yesss

[@leedaboo__4713]

Mama Sisi hey checkout my channel any feedback helps

[@christopherjoppy8502]

He just did.👀

[@justaliahhh7227]

Mario hasn't aged at all😍, #blackdontcrack💕😍

[@simayk222]

Thought just the same thing.. 😁

[@amiiraa4917]

HELL YES!

[@HannahEstherRuth]

He’s 32

[@saiethio4920]

He isn’t that old

[@Jessicaqu5]

justaliahhh l know right

[@pollyoutofpocket]

Mario easily is one of the most underrated R&B artist of all times.

[@b2trav851]

Here after the versus battle thinking how is this guy still so underrated

[@Major2219]

*verzuz* 🔥🔥🔥

[@simsb2787]

Mario's falsetto is AMAZING!!! He is such an underrated artist. I need new music from him now.

[@Stayingfocused242]

He has new music out already. Check out care for you by him.

[@leedaboo__4713]

simsb2787 hey checkout my channel any feedback helps

[@melodyjorge804]

no frfr

[@newengland66]

simsb2787 Agreed

[@ci.ci.1998]

simsb2787 Right!!!

[@angelaboutros7078]

his voicee is sooo sooothingg its too pleasantttt

[@kianalemierz4884]

angela boutros I WAS JUST THINKING THIS

[@damnright1766]

His voice is on point! He hasn't lost a vocal at all and still looks the same.

[@Lysha85]

I fell out when he busted out with the "Slide to the Left, Slide to the Right!😂😂😂😂 I love Mario so underrated..

[@leveluproberts6496]

Why I sing the same thing at the same time. I was like "my boy yas"

[@Jelliebean86]

His voice is so freaking beautiful , that boy can sing.

[@ladybugradio1988]

I concur with you, sweetheart because when he sung "Promise" by Jagged Edge my heart just melted in my chest besides I love them and it's my favorite from the "J.E. Heartbreak" album.

[@dagoaat4777]

Honestly 😩💯

[@CHEREKA98]

IKR! He was SANGING! 🥰

[@ladybugradio1988]

@@CHEREKA98 sure was and he took me back to that scene from "The Best Man" when they were doing the electric slide as he sung Cameo's "Candy".

[@kenzie126xo]

maybe it's just me , but his voice definitely matches his face just me ? okay

[@kaeskreations]

Not just you

[@gerboog]

whats your ig baby

[@gerboog]

@@kenzie126xo chill issa spam page

[@kenzie126xo]

@@gerboog hahaaha , yeah thats me

[@deniseevers6798]

Who is here after that verzuz batte? !!! Lol Mario crushed it

[@TalKhg]

His rendition of Ashanti’s “rain on me” was a mashup of SWVs “rain”. Still loved hearing him sing it though. Mario is Fine! Why haven’t I noticed?! 😍

[@esxohe9751]

The Song Association I didn't know I needed but I'm glad happened

[@Nepetamoon]

Esxohe Facts.

[@yahgirl1726]

I literally SMILED through this ENTIRE video

[@omgselina]

GURHL$AME

[@taratheus9214]

Yes!😁

[@josephclegg3562]

You have to give Mario his props. He can sing, even other artist's songs.

[@rachelleanagnos5027]

Meee tooooo

[@sbella44]

Ditto

[@taradaniels6157]

When artists could actually sang, so underrated

[@RealityOfItIs]

He just gets better and better

[@femmebrulee5053]

KZbin is putting this in people's recommendations after that Verzuz battle

[@BareTruthWorld]

Mario is so fine and charismatic. I love his swag.

[@MSGJD2]

And it's so natural

[@genesisyiret]

Mario was at all the cookouts😂😂😂 He didn’t hesitate with the cha cha slide

[@tallissajohns7176]

Black representation right there! 🤧😍😘🔥🖤

[@ThisIsJ.Nicole]

And singing Cameo...oh my gosh. Yes.

[@texasgirl73goodjob46]

@@tallissajohns7176 SO WAS JOJO THE SINGER

[@miriamogwel3452]

@@ThisIsJ.Nicole ooooh j

[@miriamogwel3452]

Jo jjn

[@Marc85]

He has not aged, literally not at all. A fetus. Wow. His voice is highly underrated to.

[@mrssmith6479]

I feel like I was the only one who knew Mario would dust Omarion in the verzuz battle

[@GothBae]

how do u not immediately sing “do u remembah the TIMMEEE?” lol issa forever BOP

[@imnoturpizzapie]

Goth Bae mannn lmao

[@GothBae]

Leos Land thats my shit 🤣 i woulda sang that song instantly lol

[@imnoturpizzapie]

Goth Bae literally tf lmao

[@brianawiggins8474]

righttttttttttt

[@chiaracanuti1970]

I sing it immediately😂😍

[@lkez2]

Give whoever booked him a raise!

[@lele19691]

😂😂🤣😂👍..For real!!!

[@ShaneCM]

I love Mario’s voice. The usher and jagged edge ones 🔥🔥🔥

[@prenticehouston9645]

This man still has awesome vocals since 2002 that’s natural raw talent. I use to dance in the clubs in my 20s to his songs. Omarion could never compare acappella or period lol

[@crystalluvlilj]

He should’ve gotten a point for song. A Song For You by Donny Hathaway

[@imaplant4030]

Ikr ...

[@fatalerok]

I don't think he sang the word "song" though

[@AnonymousLover-qg9dv]

SS no the song is called song for you so he should have gotten the point if he started singing it

[@Sh0rty901]

He has to sing the actually word. He should've sang the last part of it: "We were alone and I was singing this song to you"

[@mcatriana]

I thought to so but I guess you have to say the word

[@mayaramiquidade3439]

Haven't seen him in ages. He was one of the go to's for us 90's kids.

[@jazzyj904]

Where have you been? He's on Empire, he has a new album out, and he's on tour. He's all over the place lol

[@mayaramiquidade3439]

@@jazzyj904 I don't watch Empire and he hasn't promoted it anywhere I would have seen so again I wouldn't know. 1st time I heard about the tour was in this video so 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@jassyjones]

Mayara Miquidade he was in rent live

[@jazzyj904]

@@mayaramiquidade3439 he's still all over the place lol

[@DIFF_yamommasfavorite]

Lol everyone sings usher when the word is call

[@Dreweybaby]

DIFF hell yea

[@ZariyaJ]

Ong😂

[@angelestevan1]

I thought blondie 📞 me

[@monicasay9353]

I smiled throughout the whole video and now my cheeks hurt but it’s worth it

[@DamondParis]

Dude should rerecord Jagged Edge's Promise. Made me go listen on Spotify real quick. Ha.

[@saskia_9773]

same with Call by Usher

[@quon7390]

No cap!!!!

[@ladybugradio1988]

@DamondParis Ikr? I'd love it if Mario remade "Promise" because that was my song when the guys came with the video in 2000.

[@foreveristaken3012]

@@saskia_9773 of

[@AraikRolyet]

*Mario sings* I'm pregnant.

[@ELLE]

HA!

[@MsTwilightSpeaks]

How many people want Mario to win! Cause he deserves it!

[@francemaleka4103]

He took me out when he mimicked "put a ring on it" by Beyonce. He's a great artist.

[@giorgialapenna2179]

HE’S BACK FROM 2010 (he still looks like he hasn’t aged)

[@artisticced1668]

He not fron 2010 he came out in 2000

[@cordelwhite1749]

More 2000... his biggest song was like 05! 2010???

[@Kayla-kd8ov]

@@cordelwhite1749 that song - Break up ft Gucci mane and Sean Garrett, came out in 2010. That was like his last major hit

[@twentysvn]

04:22 “cmon lets go baby!” he didn’t even know the lyrics 😂😂😂😭😭😭

[@kennethcoleman1378]

Mario knew like none of the words to half of those songs lol

[@candirayn4253]

Why he look like he about to cuddle me and whisper "baby you should let me love you" in my ear

[@user-zf9gd5tp9m]

😂😂😂

[@kenyamicole5926]

When he started singing promise 😭😩😩 yes gawd

[@justtene]

Kenya Micole ur gorgeous

[@kenyamicole5926]

Just Tene. Thank you 💓

[@DynamicallyDC]

Mario is a handsome, and talented guy!! 😍

[@smartypants2400]

Omarion vs Mario brought me here🤣🤣

[@jackie6189]

Omarion should have watched this before he did that verzus could have saved himself a lot of embarrassment. Mario is real singer no autotune straight vocalist.

[@ladaishapettus4964]

FIRST OF ALL, He sung they songs better than they did 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@lowkeykayla4496]

LaDaisha Pettus facts🤣🥵💯🅿️❤️😍

[@ScarlettJ1221]

Mario still looking so good, I've been a fan of his for sooo long

[@Mzshey2006]

When he sung Jagged Edge ❤️🫶🏽🙌 & Usher ❤️💯🙌

[@karmaneshaspraglin2813]

Listen he should have kept singing promise that’s my song🔥

[@esxohe9751]

This is the Song Association we've all been waiting for!!!

[@ambermarie8027]

Word: TIME Mario: 🤔 Me: 🗣 (screaming at the screen) REMEMBER THE TIIIIIIMMEE! Awww, come on!!🤦🏾‍♀️😩 😂😂

[@Myaalavonne]

FR

[@brookeh6721]

Me too

[@qcsmith2002]

Or time after time

[@megami7373]

Amber Marie EXACTLY

[@chocolatecotton]

😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@MyBathBakery]

He can sing the ALPHABET to me falsetto and I’ll be in HEAVEN! ❤️‍🔥🔥❤️‍🔥🎶🔥❤️‍🔥🔥❤️‍🔥🎵

[@shortyrepinva22]

Can we get Mario back on for a round 2 pleaseeeeee

[@potentielle01]

Yall cheated him on the donny Hathaway song though

[@dasiarae8630]

Adrianna X no honestly because we knew exactly what song it was

[@courtneytaylor8369]

And did!!!!!!!

[@theferrellfamily9696]

That grown woman song took me out 😂😂😂

[@tweetybirdgirl07]

Adrianna X right

[@MSGJD2]

They did

[@emely7261]

“Beyonce Put A ring On It, Of Course” he was too confident Lmaoo

[@kiyahcross9580]

lol really

[@NoGodPleaseNoNooooooo]

AHAHAHAHA he was way too confident abt a lot of the lyrics but hey he passes

[@franceskamaximilien1547]

🤣🤣

[@ammiebaker2911]

He be a legendary legend

[@edenthompson2011]

His lady singing voice has me *dead* 💀

[@DemonteAlford1]

They should’ve counted the Donny Hathaway one.

[@Veronique428]

DemonteAlford1 Yes they should, the real score is 13/15

[@shanteljenkins3135]

That’s why I prefer Terrell’s version of the game because the word can also be in the title

[@marshajulessa2995]

He started the song on time just didn't mention the key word in time. Definitely should be counted

[@user-ty5em5lh6g]

@@shanteljenkins3135 The word "song" is in the lyrics.

[@shanteljenkins3135]

@@user-ty5em5lh6g I know that but he would’ve automatically gotten the point when he started singing it because it is in the title.

[@paria1141]

he's hitting some really high notes! :O

[@chelseakauma9504]

Jhene aiko please

[@amandazulu4577]

Please

[@curvysunflower]

Plsssss plsss plss

[@20YearSoul]

Yess..she sounds good just humming so singing along would be great. Pretty voice

[@FrancheskaZulla]

Yes pleaseeee

[@shadenee937]

Please

[@jessicaenos1715]

The best episode of song association I’ve seen thus far! Mario has such a beautiful singing voice.

[@talissonjiujitsu3237]

Whoaa ..I missing Mario so much actually .So talented with goals vocals ,power voice .Deserves more attention and recognition worlwide . #LegendOfR&B!!!

[@sonyap8253]

He's on Empire right now...

[@Forever20young]

Hi🙋🏽‍♂️ Talisson, I think you're very attractive. Are you single? 🤷🏽‍♂️ Feel free to message me on my Instagram page. My screen name is Forever20young. Hope to see you there... 😏

[@BornAgainFrancis21]

Damn Mario's only 32? I'm 27. I thought he was older than that. He was only like 17 when Let Me Love You came out? I was a youngin, I thought he was in his early 20s in that song or somethin.

[@ispeakmucho]

and I knew he was younger than me and wondering how a 17 yr old was killing such a song. Got him looked at as an adult artist from that point on

[@Triniboi05]

He just aged well man. Must have a low stress life lol

[@InfamousKalen]

He was 18. It came off his Turning Point album to symbolize being an adult.

[@kingdavid2931]

He was only 2 when he hit the scene!

[@lovingandliving592]

Who's here after Verzuz 👀

[@lisag1194]

Verzuz brought me here 2022

[@yourstruly256]

Mario has been living in my head rent free since verzuz 😍😍😍😍

[@lisag1194]

@@yourstruly256 me too

[@flytjsosweet]

I liked this video before he even got a word cause I mean it MARIO the man be singing down!

[@sonyap8253]

Same lol

[@deesmithsonian7094]

Same here. Before he even got a word out i was hitting the thumbs up...lol. LOVE ME SOME MARIO!!! LOVE seeing him on Empire too. That's my BOO! Yasssss!! Been my BOO since his first album.

[@StaceyMarie522]

my heart legit freakin dropped and i couldnt help but smile when he chose Promise by Jagged Edge 😩😩😩😭😭❤️❤️❤️ such a good OG Song/ Group.

[@confessionsofagoodgirl]

I felt the exact same way!!!

[@manolia2606]

THE MOST UNDERRATED SINGER IN THIS WHOLE UNIVERSE FIGHT ME 🥺❤️

[@taramaen1000]

If Mario don’t STOP playing with my emotions, SHEESH 🥵 he got a girl feeling some type of way

[@stellamary204]

Me too...I'm ready to find where he is this moment and get arrested for stalking.🤷🏾‍♀️

[@myiaauriel582]

The fact that he hasn’t aged😍😍😍 and his voice is so amazing like wow

[@foosincorporated1591]

Niggas young asf

[@justinblvd]

We want ASHANTI to play next !! 😩❤️

[@NicholasTyler]

Aaron Hopkins yea we need ashanti to play

[@JL-sv6hg]

Yes

[@LV2308gmail]

I can hear her laugh now lol

[@brklyn2922]

I love Ashanti!

[@cmajor1487]

Yes!!!

[@LovelyLibra_1001]

Ummm yes we most definitely need Mario to come back let’s make that happen plz and thank you

[@smc5127]

He deserved a point. He was singing Kanye West, “Touch the Sky” I gotta testify, come up in the spot looking extra fly. ‘For the day I die, Imma tough the sky...”

[@heathersmith2782]

this man has been my crush since the fifth grade, god he is so beautiful 😭😭

[@saraparno7454]

Heather Smith sameee lmao

[@NAPPIIFUL87]

WORD: High Mario: Me: I GET HIGH HIGH HIGH (everyday) HIGH HIGH HIGH

[@brookeh6721]

I was thinking You're making me high Toni Braxton

[@goodpeopleprosper635]

Lmaooooo that's exactly what I was thinking/ singing lmaooooo

[@DadBot-_-]

Lmao that nigga was high

[@bodyu83]

the song he was singing is a real song .its by brandy called how high ...look it up ..

[@sammy69831]

@@goodpeopleprosper635 Me too hahaha 😄

[@cherisethomas9005]

Loved every minute of this video. The visual and the audio, go head Mario.

[@Sty.ledByKi]

His voice is still soooooo ugh 😍😍😍😍😍

[@ThaVirgo]

Oh y’all tripping for not counting “A Song for You”

[@mariaetternavn5549]

I love these segments they giving me so many good songs to add to my playlist. Thanks Elle!

[@jocelyngipson197]

Mario is the entire package! The Voice & the Swagg 💯

[@diamond0130]

He got SONG... It is a "A Song for you" by Donny Hathway... What y'all doing Elle... Fix that man's score...

[@BlackCulinaryHistory]

Exactly. I watch the terrell shows version of this game because at least there's interaction with the singer and he doesn't dismiss songs like this.

[@diamond0130]

@@BlackCulinaryHistory Me too... I found him before I found Elle...

[@Wroetowhore]

He’s meant to say the actual word ‘song’ not sing a song called song

[@misschris724]

Isha Shareena it has “song” in the lyrics, he just hadn’t got to that part yet.

[@Wroetowhore]

Christina Brown I get where you’re all coming from but the point is that he sings that word though

[@gloriagreen2579]

Yall need to get Tevin Campbell, Jamie Foxx, and Fantasia on here!

[@sailormood_3278]

oooh. the ones i always think about are luke james and summer walker, but it'd be really amazing if they got fantasia

[@divadoll606]

Tevin Campbell would be everything.

[@Lowkeyy222]

JAMIE FOXX WOULD SLAY THIS

[@Lowkeyy222]

I JUST WATCHED THE FANTASIA ONE

[@karlastewart4537]

Mario's rendition of Promise is my favorite 😍 ❤️

[@denishajordan9654]

This man and that voice 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@NicholasTyler]

I love how everyone’s been mentioning Ashanti lately 💙

[@cmajor1487]

Nicholas Tyler Me too.

[@jnjenki]

So he hasn’t aged. And I always forget how much I like his voice.

[@fefesmith82]

Now that's a SANGER!!!!

[@vanessamutoni4869]

My brain: slide to the left Marion: slide to the left Me: omg bae stop it

[@crazyace88]

One of the most talented singers to hit this channel. Totally blew away the acapella. Unlike B2K lol

[@georgeanakageorge2449]

For real.. B2K just played around like it was a comedy show or something!

[@Flameofblaze7]

😂😂😂

[@hellodiamonds]

This comment aged well 🤣🤣🤣

[@nicolenunya984]

@@hellodiamonds right lol

[@ShadesofSage]

@@hellodiamonds Hilarious 😆!!!

[@lheannagamesandvlogs9067]

time- “do you remember the TIME” song- “SO SICK of LOVE songs”

[@marzadky4934]

Time after time

[@brittlee6544]

He would’ve sounded good singing that MJ song

[@jaylock9twenty5]

Rain- “Can You Stand the Rain”

[@vibrantthingshd2124]

Tonya Blount - Through the Rain

[@angel4174]

Rain Purple rain

[@popsicles2294]

Mario's love for music is so strong and genuine. It shows 💕

[@novalove4790]

This shows up in the algorithm after versus of course lol

[@praiseea3839]

When he sang candy by cameo 😩😝❤️❤️

[@saraleesantiago8891]

“Do you remember the time? Michael Jackson” Lmao 🤣