Rio

Rio Da Truth was born Mario Winans in Chicago, Illinois. He was raised by a single mother, Christine Winans, and a strict but endearing grandfather. His grandfather, Major Herman Winans, instilled in him hard work and perseverance were the keys to success.

Rio is related to the sensational Gospel singing family, "The Winans". Although, he is a distant cousin, music is in his blood. Rio had a love for music and art at an early age, which he excelled in school. In his early teens, Rio became known as the neighborhood DJ at parties, as well as selling his underground mix CD's.

Unfortunately, due to Chicago's notorious gang activity, Rio decided to join a gang. This involvement lead him in and out of jail, much of his later teenage years. After his best friend was gunned down and murdered in broad day light, Rio knew he had to change his life.

Never forgetting his first love: music, Rio decided to live life fully and was determined to become a Hip-Hop artist. He decided to move to New York. Rio bought music books, practiced on his first MPC, took classes, and later decided it was time to enroll in a music school, for professional training. Rio auditioned and was accepted into the advance program of New York's DubSpot Music Academy. This is where he honed his craft with Pro-Tools, Reason, Logic, Acid, Cubase, Nuendo, and audio engineering.

Rio's eclectic style of thinking outside the box as an artist, has made him very well known in the underground hip hop and rock communities. as well as for creating and arranging exceptional demo CD's that results in radio play and/ or record deals. Most recently, Rio Da Truth, was offered $500,000.00 for the rights of his song titled " Do My Thang", by an undisclosed artist.