A native of the small town of Waynesboro, GA, Mario Patterson, for as long as he could remember, possessed an intense love for the arts. Mario's interest not only included performing arts, but visual arts as well. At just the young age of 8, he took a particular interest in writing. Throughout his youth he developed the ability to express himself lyrically. By conveying his thoughts and emotions into words and lyrics, the birth of Mario's ultimate passion, music, was born. In the summer of 1999, after graduating from Burke County Comprehension High School, Mario began perfecting his craft. As a result, he started studying the hottest sounds in the industry and recognized in himself an insatiable hunger which could only be appeased by producing his own material. The darkest period in his life came in the fall of 2000 when Mario lost his grandmother. In the duration of raising Mario, she had taught him the importance of being independent, respectful, and faithful. Although this proved to be a very trying time in his life, Mario was able to weather the storm and afterwards surfaced to be the man that his grandmother wanted him to be. From this dark period emerged the symbol that would best define Mario's character, the Phoenix. The Phoenix, a mythological bird, at a certain time in its life destroyed itself in flames only to be born again from its own ashes. The Phoenix is symbolic of Mario and his life. His grandmother's death was the flame that consumed him. He was born again through music and the memory of his late grandmother. Proud father to one son, Mario Patterson is pursuing his dream to be a professional recording artist, producer, songwriter, arranger, and lyricist. His first Album "From Tha Spark 2 Tha Flame" has gotten him considerable recognition. He is currently working on his 2nd project "Tha Scorcha" which is due in late March 2008.