Mario Canon: Playing to Win EPK (2021)

EPK

@theemamarazzi epks

MARIOCANON

MARIO CANON I STARPOWER

TWISTA AND CANON ON THE VIDEO SET OF "PLAY TO WIN"

PLAYING TO WIN

By Ti'Juana "Mamarazzi" Hardwell An artist from Springfield, Illinois is using his music to reflect on the times while also bridging generational gaps. Mario Canon has starred on television shows like “Chicago PD” and on “Empire” as Charlie Dupree.

He also recorded music for the show’s soundtrack.

His recent collaboration with legendary Chicago artist Twista proves that he’s playing to win.

CANON OWNS A FITNESS CENTER. HE HELPS CLIENTS MEET THEIR PERSONAL GOALS.

“I’ve always been a fan of Twista,” says Canon, who currently lives in Lincoln, Illinois just two and a half hours outside of Chicago. “But I never imagined I’d be able to work with an artist of his caliber.”

Canon’s manager, Darryl Stuggis, has known Twista for a number of years and connected the artists to record a song titled “Play to Win.” “I told Mario we’re not gonna be paying for features just to say we worked with a celebrity,” Stuggis said.

“This collaboration made a lot of sense and was right to do. We want collaborations that help him grow as an artist.”

Twista appeared in the music video for the song. The track showcases who Canon is as an individual and as an entertainer.

CANON WITH ACTOR TRAI BYERS

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CHECK THE STATS STAR POWER CEO & ARTIST Collab with Twista

Mario Canon collaborated with legendary hip hop artist Twista. Twista also made an appearance in the music video for the song. Canon says that Twista was one of his favorite artists growing up. He never imagined collaborating with him.

More Of Us Remix w/ Bizzy Canon and Chicago's Montana 300 teamed up to make the track titled "More of Us." Montana 300 liked the positive message of the song. He says that artists aren't always able to use their platform to spread positive messages through their songs. He likes that Mario doesn't shy away from it. The song is inspired by "Days of Our Livez" recorded by Bone Thugs N Harmony. Canon had Bizzy Bone lend his vocals to the remix of the song.

Acting Chops When Canon isn't recording as a rap artist, he is on set filming for television and movies. He was a guest star on the hit television show (Fox) Empire during Season 6. He starred as “Charlie Dupree.” He also recorded a song for the show titled, “What The DJ Spins."

He also played lead roles for Black (2021), The Candidate (2021),

STAR-POWER “My music is meant to be influential,” said Canon who founded Starpower The Elites, an independent entertainment company.

“I want to be that light to inspire you to chase whatever it is that you want to.”

In 2020 Canon was nominated and later won for Best Actor in The 48 Hour Film Project-Chicago. The singer-actor says Empire helped him further the trajectory of his career.

While working on the set he rubbed elbows with Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson and the rest of the amazing cast. Actor Trai Byers, who played Andre Lyon on the show, told him to get ready because he would soon be in the same position as him. He encouraged Canon to give back to those coming behind him.

Giving back is something that Canon is no stranger to.

Although Canon admits to growing up in an affluent neighborhood, he still connects with inner-city youth who much like him, have experienced adversity. He shares his own stories of battling depression and the loss of his loved ones to gun violence.

and The Raid (2019). Canon was in a supporting role in 2019's Lupe.

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MARIO POSES WITH HIS STARPOWER THE ELITES TEAMMANAGER DARRYL STUGGIS (LEFT) & RUBEN RAMIREZ, CO-OWNER OF STARPOWER FILMS (RIGHT)

Booking CONCERTS I SHOWS I ACTING SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS+MORE

Instagram: @Thisiscanon Facebook: Mario Canon Twitter : Thisiscanon YouTube: Mario Canon TeamMarioCanonBookings @gmail.com Manager: Darryl Stuggis +1 (779) 201-0237

Despite his busy schedule which includes studio time, performances, travel, auditioning for acting gigs and operating a fitness center, he keeps up with his speaking engagements.

Canon sees it as an opportunity to push positive images to youth.

“In the industry you see a lot of artists flaunting materialistic things like jewelry and chains and doing things to gain clout--but I’m not going to pretend to be someone I’m not just to sell records,” Canon said. “I’m willing to be vulnerable and tell my story.”

Manager Stuggis said when he met Canon four years ago he felt he was already a made-artist. But he has watched him grow and develop his artistry even more.

“He has what it takes to pursue the craft,” says Stuggis. “And he never changed to follow the crowd. He understands who he is.”

Although Canon’s lyrics are free of profanity he says there’s still power in his words.

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"I always want to promote love and self assurance,” says Canon.

Canon recorded a single called “More of Us” with viral rap artist Montana of 300 who is from Chicago.

“I get a lot of requests for features but the subject and content of this record was something I wanted to do because it’s something people really need to hear,” says Montana of 300. “I really like what Mario did with this record, especially him using the Bone Thugs sample.”

Montana says it’s not often that artists use their platform to put out a positive message so he was glad about the collaboration.

A remix for the song includes Bone Thugs N Harmony’s Bizzy Bone. The track was in part inspired by BTNH’s “Days of Our Livez” song featured on the 1996 “Set It Off” movie soundtrack.

The Starpower artist says if he’s going to win, he has to be true to who he is.

“You don’t have to be a celebrity to have star power and that’s something I like to share with everyone I meet,” says Canon.

LIVE PERFORMANCES Yo Gotti, Chicago, IL 50 Cent Club Oceans Chicago, IL Fat Joe Club Ocean Chicago, IL Twista Grand Tap Chicago, IL Lil Wayne Peoria, IL MGK Peoria, IL KID INK Peoria, IL Soulja Boy Springfield, IL Montana of 300 Peoria, IL

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