As Mario began preparing his sophomore album Turning Point, the 18 year old adopted a more mature image, ditching his jeans, T shirts, throwbacks, and even his trademark braids.

He also changed his sound.

“It was kind of a funny change, singing mature songs,” Mario tells Billboard. “But it was natural. All the songs are about friends and the situations I’m going through.”

So far so good, as the first single Let Me Love You is nestled in the top five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart and the Billboard Hot 100.