Mario (song)

"Mario" is a song by Congolese rumba guitarist and bandleader Franco Luambo Makiadi and his band TPOK Jazz, released in 1985 from his eponymous 1985 album through his label Éditions Populaires. Written and composed by Franco, the song tells the story of a young, educated man who chooses to live as a gigolo, relying on the financial support of an older woman instead of pursuing a career. With biting satire and social commentary, Franco used the track to critique a growing trend among Zairean youth—eschewing personal responsibility and effort in favor of comfort and opportunism. True to his characteristic style, Franco employed a frank, provocative, and sometimes vulgar tone to draw an unflattering portrait of the titular character, making the song a musical and societal statement.

The song was certified gold in Zaire after selling over 200,000 copies and has since been recognized as a milestone in Congolese music. French music journalist François Bensignor described it as "arguably Franco's greatest masterpiece, and one of the monuments of 20th-century Congolese music". The influential French pan-African weekly Jeune Afrique also listed it among the "five songs that made Congo dance".

Due to its popularity and enduring relevance, "Mario" was recorded three times by TPOK Jazz, each version offering a distinct interpretation of the titular character's story: the original "Mario" (1985), "Mario 2" (also 1985), and "Mario 3" (1987), the latter appearing on the album L'Animation Non Stop. The song has been covered by various artists across genres, including the Afro-salsa group Africando, rapper Marshall Dixon, and Congolese singer Fally Ipupa.