Just a Friend 2002

"Just a Friend 2002" is a song by American singer Mario. It was written by Warryn Campbell, Harold Lilly, and John "Jubu" Smith and recorded for Mario's self-titled debut album (2002). Produced by Campbell, the song is a loose cover of Biz Markie's hit single "Just a Friend" (1989). Due to the interpolation Markie is also credited as a songwriter on "Just a Friend 2002." Mario's version is different, as the story is changed from a man who discovers his girlfriend has been cheating on him to a story about unrequited love.

"Just a Friend 2002"
Single by Mario
from the album Mario
Released	April 22, 2002 (2002-04-22)
Genre	R&B[1]
Length	3:34
Label	J
Songwriter(s)	Warryn Campbell Harold Lilly Biz Markie John Smith
Producer(s)	Warryn Campbell
Mario singles chronology
"Just a Friend 2002" (2002) "Braid My Hair" (2002)
Music video
"Just a Friend 2002" on YouTube

J Records released the song in April 2002 as Mario's debut single. "Just a Friend 2002" peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in August 2002. It also reached number three on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, number five on the UK Hip Hop/R&B Chart, and number eight on the Canadian Singles Chart. In promotion of the song, J Records released a music video which had been filmed by director Diane Martel in Mario's hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.

Background

"Just a Friend 2002" was written by Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell, Harold Lilly, and John "Jubu" Smith and initially recorded by R&B singer Usher during the production of his unreleased third studio album All About U.^[2] Though he was due to film a music video for the song, the album was eventually shelved and Usher passed on the song. It was instead given to Mario after Campbell convinced J Records head Clive Davis that "Just a Friend" would fit the singer's debut album, though Davis requested Campbell to "add another part, like a breakdown" to the song.^[2] The chorus of "Just a Friend 2002" contains interpolations from rapper Biz Markie's 1989 song "Just a Friend."^[3] The song also contains an instrumental sample from American hip hop group Run–D.M.C.'s "Sucker M.C.'s" (1983).^[3]

Critical reception

Billboard remarked that Mario's "smooth, confident vocals mesh well with the sparse breakbeat provided by Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell." The magazine felt that "the combination of old-school nostalgia and new-school flavor makes the single click."^[4] In his review of parent album Mario, Dan LeRoy from AllMusic stated that "while it misses out on the humor of the original, the cover of Biz Markie's "Just a Friend" proves a shrewd update of the unwillingly platonic classic, and serves as a gateway to better originals."^[5] LeRoy ranked the song among his favorites on the album.^[5] In a retrospective review, Tom Breihan from Stereogum, alluding to the Markie original, wrote: "The whole idea of a smoothly, sweetly sung version of "Just a Friend” seems utterly absurd. Like: why? But that hook still worked even in Mario’s hands."^[6] Rolling Stone listed it as the 61st best R&B song of the 21st century.^[7]

Chart performance

"Just a Friend 2002" debuted at number 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in the week of May 25, 2002.^[8] It eventually peaked at number four in the week ending August 24, 2002, spending 21 weeks on the chart.^[8] Billboard ranked it 34th on the chart's 2002 year-end ranking.^[9] "Just a Friend 2002" also reached number three on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart and number eight on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart.^[10][11] Elsewhere, the song entered the top 10 in Canada, peaking at number eight on the Canadian Singles Chart,^[12] while also reaching number 15 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and number 18 on the UK Singles Chart.^[13][14] "Just a Friend 2002" also became a top five hit on the UK Hip Hop/R&B Chart.^[15]

Music video

Portions of "Just a Friend 2002" were filmed at the Senator Theatre.^[6]

A music video for "Just a Friend 2002" was directed by Diane Martel.^[16] It was shot on April 7–8, 2002 in Mario's hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.^[17][18] The visuals feature Mario, wearing a Baltimore Ravens jersey, visiting a girl while his friends want to see her as well. While following her down the street, they lead to a movie theater where she is found, and Mario excites her with dance.^[6] Biz Markie can be heard in the beginning of the video and is seen in parts of the theater sequeneces, which were filmed at the Senator Theatre, a historic Art Deco movie theater on York Road in the Govans section of Baltimore.^[19] American singer-dancer Cassie Ventura is also featured briefly in this video.^[16]

Track listings

US CD single[20] "Just a Friend 2002" (radio edit) "Just a Friend 2002" (Old School mix featuring Biz Markie) "Just a Friend 2002" (album version) US 7-inch single[21] A. "Just a Friend 2002" (radio edit) – 3:34 B. "Just a Friend 2002" (Biz Markie version) – 4:36

UK CD and 12-inch single[22][23] "Just a Friend 2002" (radio edit) – 3:35 "Just a Friend 2002" (5AM mix) – 3:39 "Braid My Hair" – 4:06 European CD single[24] "Just a Friend 2002" (radio edit) – 3:35 "Just a Friend 2002" (Old School mix featuring Biz Markie) – 4:36

Personnel

Personnel are lifted from the liner notes of Mario.^[3]

• Mario Barrett – vocals
• Sandra Campbell – project coordinator
• Warryn Campbell – producer, writer
• Jan Fairchild – recording engineer
• Harold Lilly – writer
• Biz Markie – writer (sample)
• Manny Marroquin – mixing engineer
• John "Jubu" Smith – guitar, writer

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Just a Friend 2002" Chart (2002–2003) Peak position Australian Urban (ARIA)[25] 22 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[12] 8 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[26] 68 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[27] 70 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[13] 15 Scotland (OCC)[28] 44 UK Singles (OCC)[14] 18 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[15] 5 US Billboard Hot 100[8] 4 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] 3 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[29] 6 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[11] 8

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Just a Friend 2002" Chart (2002) Position Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[30] 79 US Billboard Hot 100[9] 34 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[31] 31 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[32] 48 US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[33] 24

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Just a Friend 2002"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	April 22, 2002	Rhythmic contemporary urban radio	J	[34]
New Zealand	October 7, 2002	CD		[35]
Australia	October 14, 2002			[36]
United Kingdom	March 31, 2003	12-inch vinyl CD cassette		[37]