Producer, songwriter and promoter Mario VI was born Mario Abner Rivera Rivera, January 22, 1978 in Canovanas, Puerto Rico. Under the professional name Mario VI, Rivera got his foot in the recording industry's door as a promoter for VI Music. Working on writing his own repertoire in his spare time, Mario VI rose to become the company's Director of Promotions, all the while working towards a change-over to the production side of the business. His work as a promoter provided endless opportunities to develop his potential as a producer and connect with the genre's most important artists. While working with Hector & Tito, he was invited to produce one of the group's tracks "Bandida Universitaria." Similarly, Mario made inroads to the performance world working while working to promote Don Omar. At a club performance where Omar was experiencing vocal problems, Mario was invited to fill in as his vocal backup, hence securing a position as corista for the soon-to-be international star. He performed with Don Omar for better than four years, during which time he co-wrote such songs as "Donqueo" and "Provocandome." Mario's steady rise in the reggaeton world was punctuated with VI Music's naming him their Exclusive Producer. Career highlights include his 2004 production of Eliel's Que Habla Con Las Manos which sold better than 250 thousand copies. Mario VI continues to write, produce and collaborate with such artists as Hector el Father, Don Omar, Valentino and others signed to VI Music and Universal subsidiary Machete Music. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez