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.

[camorreetinsley]

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*

[veragrig]

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

[baatile]

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

[jessicarespress]

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

[TalianaRietten]

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

[mskagome]

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.

[MamaSisi]

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

[ELLE]

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

[jada]

Felt like he was flirting with whoever was saying the words

[simsb]

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

[angelaboutros]

his voicee is sooo sooothingg its too pleasantttt

[DrAdnan]

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

[Jelliebean]

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

[esxohe]

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

[satiyahmckinzie]

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

[yahgirl]

I literally SMILED through this ENTIRE video

[UnfilteredMinistries]

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

[btrav]

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

[tarnip]

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

[justaliahhh]

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