Mario Judah
{{Short description|American musician (born 1999)}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Mario Judah
| birth_name = Mario Diamond-Judah Douglas
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|12|6}}
| birth_place = Flint, Michigan, U.S.
| origin = Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|singer-songwriter|record producer}}
| label = {{hlist|Atlantic|Universal Music Group}}
| years_active = 2017–present
}}
Mario Diamond-Judah Douglas (born December 6, 1999){{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Aaron|date=December 10, 2020|title=How Mario Judah Plans To Hijack Playboi Carti's 'Whole Lotta Red' Buzz|url=https://uproxx.com/music/mario-judah-playboi-carti-whole-lotta-red/|access-date=December 11, 2020|website=Uproxx}}{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mario-judah-mn0003994199/biography|title=Mario Judah Biography, Songs, & Albums|website=AllMusic}} is an American singer-songwriter, rapper and record producer. In 2017, Judah began producing music at the age of 17, with his first commercial single being released in 2020.{{Cite web|last1=Seabrook III|first1=Robby|last2=December 23, 2020|date=December 23, 2020|title=The Break Presents: Mario Judah|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/mario-judah-interview-the-break/|access-date=December 25, 2020|website=XXL|issn=1093-0647}}{{Cite web|last=Bugara|first=Billy|date=October 13, 2020|title=Mario Judah: A Rockstar In Full Effect|url=https://lyricallemonade.com/p/mario-judah-a-rockstar-in-full-effect|access-date=December 6, 2020|website=Lyrical Lemonade}} He rose to prominence as an internet meme with his single "Die Very Rough" as well as for his sardonic criticism of American rapper Playboi Carti regarding the delayed release of his second studio album, Whole Lotta Red.{{Cite web|last=Hoyt|first=Conrad|date=December 9, 2020|title=Who is Mario Judah? The goth-metal rapper calling out Playboi Carti|url=https://kulturehub.com/mario-judah-playboi-carti/|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=Kulture Hub|archive-date=May 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506094237/https://kulturehub.com/mario-judah-playboi-carti/|url-status=usurped}}{{Cite web|last=Cole|first=Alexander|date=December 19, 2020|title=Mario Judah On His "Whole Lotta Red" Beef, Details Exactly How He Went Viral|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/mario-judah-on-his-whole-lotta-red-beef-details-exactly-how-he-went-viral-news.123070.html|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=HotNewHipHop}}
Early life
Mario Diamond-Judah Douglas was born on December 6, 1999, in Flint, Michigan, but grew up in Atlanta, Georgia.{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/12/mario-judah-interview|title=The Power of Mario Judah|website=Complex|date=December 12, 2020|access-date=March 3, 2021}}
Career
Judah uploaded his debut single "Crush" to SoundCloud on June 19, 2020.{{Cite web|last=Judah|first=Mario|date=June 19, 2020|title=Crush by Mario Judah|url=https://soundcloud.com/mario-judah/crush|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=SoundCloud}} This was followed by the release of "Die Very Rough", which went viral on various social media platforms in September.{{Cite web|last=Gebreyes|first=Rahel|date=November 23, 2020|title=Mario Judah Breaks Down The Meaning Of "Die Very Rough"|url=https://genius.com/a/mario-judah-breaks-down-the-meaning-of-die-very-rough|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=Genius}} After the corresponding music video was released, it went viral on Twitter and several memes of the song were created comparing Judah's vocal style and lyrics similar to a Disney villain.{{Cite news|last=Hosken|first=Patrick|date=October 23, 2020|title=What Is Psychology Behind Mario Judah 'Die Very Rough' Lyrics Meaning?|url=https://laviasco.com/mario-judah-die-very-rough-lyrics-meaning/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024041621/https://laviasco.com/mario-judah-die-very-rough-lyrics-meaning/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=October 24, 2020|access-date=December 6, 2020|website=Laviasco|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Vosber|first=K.|date=October 28, 2020|title=Slept On: Mario Judah|url=https://wknc.org/2020/10/28/slept-on-mario-judah/|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=WKNC-FM}} In October, Judah performed at Rolling Loud in 2020, which helped increase his audience. That same month, he released a cover of DaBaby's "Rockstar".{{Cite web|last=Judah|first=Mario|date=October 26, 2020|title=Da Baby – Rockstar feat. Roddy Ricch Cover|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUx0Zmu0YeA|access-date=December 26, 2020|via=YouTube}}
On November 30, Judah flippantly announced on Instagram that he would be releasing American rapper Playboi Carti's second studio album Whole Lotta Red "himself" due to frustrations with the rapper not releasing it. He also announced the date of December 6, giving Carti one week to release it himself.{{Cite web|last=Elibert|first=Mark|date=December 9, 2020|title=Viral Star Mario Judah Gives Playboi Carti 3 Days To Drop 'Whole Lotta Red'|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.59447/title.viral-star-mario-judah-gives-playboi-carti-3-days-to-drop-whole-lotta-red|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=HipHopDX}} Judah ended up making an Extended Play with the title Whole Lotta Red, where he parodies the mumble rap sound and on December 6, Judah released "Bih Yah", the lead single from the project, to a positive reception from fans.{{Cite web|last=Blake|first=Cole|date=December 6, 2020|title=Mario Judah Drops "Bih Yah" After Playboi Carti Fails To Drop "Whole Lotta Red"|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/mario-judah-drops-bih-yah-after-playboi-carti-fails-to-drop-whole-lotta-red-new-song.1989582.html|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=HotNewHipHop}} The first half of Whole Lotta Red was released as an EP on December 11.{{Cite web|last=Okon|first=Wongo|date=December 12, 2020|title=Mario Judah Dropped 'Whole Lotta Red' Since Playboi Carti Won't|url=https://uproxx.com/music/mario-judah-whole-lotta-red-playboi-carti/|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=Uproxx}}{{Cite web|last=Adhya|first=Arpita|date=December 6, 2020|title=Did Mario Judah save Playboi Carti's career? Rapper drops 'Whole Lotta Red', fans say 'Tupac of our generation'|url=https://meaww.com/did-mario-judah-save-playboi-cartis-career-rapper-drops-whole-lotta-red-single-fans-react-tupac|access-date=December 7, 2020|website=Meaww}} Billboard and Google ranked the song "Die Very Rough" at number 75 on their list of the Top 100 Hummed Songs of 2020 in the United States.{{Cite magazine|title=Google's Top Hummed Songs 2020|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/top-hummed|access-date=December 21, 2020|magazine=Billboard}} The song also reached the top of Spotify's Global Viral 50 chart dated October 15, 2020.{{Cite web|date=October 15, 2020|title=Viral 50: Global (10/16/2020)|url=https://spotifycharts.com/viral/global/daily/2020-10-16|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=Spotify Charts}}
His next single in collaboration with the rapper Tes X, called "Its Time To Rock" was released on 28 January 2021. After 6 months of absence, his single "Remember Your Name" was released on 10 September 2021, with the music video on his YouTube channel same day. After that, his only release was few months later, on January 28, 2022, which was a single called "Afraid of Love". All of three singles later became a part of an unknown project. On May 13, 2022, the project's 13-song track list was leaked in its entirety, including the aforementioned singles. As of March 2024, it is still unknown when the album is expected to release {{Cite web |title=MJ1* by Mario Judah |url=https://genius.com/albums/Mario-judah/Mj1 |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Genius |language=en}}
In February 2024, after a series of snippets were posted on his Instagram account through 2023, two years after his previous release, Judah released his second EP called Endure. It was also revealed that Judah signed to Universal Music Group, after a complicated deal with Atlantic Records.{{Cite web |title=Endure by Mario Judah |url=https://genius.com/albums/Mario-judah/Endure |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Genius |language=en}}
On March 4, 2025, after a year of absence, Judah released a single titled "Love You Anymore" as well as its corresponding music video. The music video gained further attention due to Judah appearing to have gone through weight loss after being overweight for most of his career.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=k3PSlMJ3BSUAK5wK&v=txC4ZSFhhbo&feature=youtu.be |title=Mario Judah - Love You Anymore [Official Music Video] |date=2025-03-03 |last=Mario Judah |access-date=2025-03-08 |via=YouTube}} On April 14, Judah released another single titled "Never Again" as well as its corresponding music video.{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Alexander |date=2025-04-17 |title=Mario Judah Continues His Unexpected Return With New Single "Never Again" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/902733-mario-judah-never-again-stream |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}
Artistry
Judah's music style has been described as a rap rock and horrorcore blend with unique vibrato{{Cite web|last=A.|first=Aron|date=December 12, 2020|title=Mario Judah Keeps His Word & Drops "Whole Lotta Red"|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/mario-judah-keeps-his-word-and-drops-whole-lotta-red-new-mixtape.121043.html|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=HotNewHipHop}} vocals. According to Judah, he only recently discovered that he can sing, which led him to pursue rap for himself rather than producing for other artists.{{Cite web|last=Skelton|first=Eric|date=December 11, 2020|title=The Power of Mario Judah|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/12/mario-judah-interview|access-date=December 11, 2020|website=Complex}}{{Cite web|last=Lawrence|first=Jamie|date=October 13, 2020|title=The Mario Judah Interview (Part 1)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sZJLmKc6ro|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=One Room Media|via=YouTube}}{{Cite web|last=Shipley|first=Al|date=November 30, 2020|title=Pop-Punk and Hip-Hop: 2020's Dynamic Duo|url=https://www.spin.com/2020/11/pop-punk-hip-hop-2020/|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=Spin}} He has cited rock bands like Breaking Benjamin, Five Finger Death Punch, and Pantera as his musical influences.{{Cite web|last=Spina|first=Ellie|date=December 1, 2020|title=DJ Paul's "Mafia Radio": Mario Judah Talks Finding His Unique Style & Meshing Rock With Hip-Hop|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/dj-pauls-mafia-radio-mario-judah-talks-finding-his-unique-style-and-meshing-rock-with-hip-hop-news.122082.html|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=HotNewHipHop}} Notable fans of Judah are fellow rappers Trippie Redd and Lil Uzi Vert.{{Cite web |last=Zidel |first=Alex |date=November 23, 2020 |title=Lil Uzi Vert Cryptically Reveals His Favorite New Artist |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-uzi-vert-cryptically-reveals-his-favorite-new-artist-news.121720.html |access-date=December 6, 2020 |website=HotNewHipHop}}
Discography
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of extended plays, with selected details ! scope="col" style="width:13em"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:20em;"| Details |
| scope="row"| Whole Lotta Red
|
|
|---|
| scope="row"| Endure
|
|
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Album |
| scope="row" | "Crush"
| rowspan="9"|2020 | rowspan="5"{{N/A|Non-album singles}} |
|---|
| scope="row" | "Die Very Rough" |
| scope="row" | "Rockstar" |
| scope="row" | "The Rockstar" |
| scope="row" | "Can't Stop Me" |
| scope="row" | "Luv My Slatts – Intro"
| rowspan="4" | Whole Lotta Red |
| scope="row" | "Figi Freestyle" |
| scope="row" | "Bih Yah" |
| scope="row" | "Bean & Lean" |
| scope="row" | "I Cannot Love You"
| rowspan="3" | 2021 | rowspan="4" {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row" | "It's Time to Rock" (with Tes X) |
| scope="row" | "Remember Your Name" |
| scope="row" | "Afraid of Love"
| 2022 |
| scope="row" | "Kill All The Enemies"
| rowspan="7" | 2024 | rowspan="7" | Endure |
| scope="row" | "Kill Dead Man" |
| scope="row" | "This Is None Of Your Business" |
| scope="row" | "I'm Not Human" |
| scope="row" | "I Knew So Long" |
| scope="row" | "Today It Ends" |
| scope="row" | "You Never Cared At All" |
| scope="row" | "Love You Anymore"
| rowspan="2" | 2025 | rowspan="2" {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row" | "Never Again" |
== As featured artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Album |
| scope="row" | "No Exceptions"
(Dirrty Phil featuring Mario Judah) |2020 | rowspan="5"{{N/A|Non-album singles}} |
|---|
| scope="row" | "u will die" (BRUHMANEGOD featuring Mario Judah)
|2021 |
| scope="row" | "YOU FEEL ME!" (MikeNo$leep featuring Tes X & Mario Judah)
|2023 |
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Judah, Mario}}
Category:21st-century African-American male singers
Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters
Category:African-American male singer-songwriters
Category:American rap rock musicians
Category:Atlantic Records artists
Category:Internet memes introduced in 2020
Category:Musicians from Flint, Michigan
Category:Rappers from Michigan
Category:Record producers from Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:Record producers from Michigan
Category:Singer-songwriters from Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:Singer-songwriters from Michigan