"Just a Friend" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Biz Markie | ||||
from the album The Biz Never Sleeps | ||||
Released | September 26, 1989 [1] | |||
Recorded | 1989 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:06 | |||
Label | Cold Chillin' | |||
Songwriter(s) | Marcel Hall [3] [4] | |||
Producer(s) | Marcel Hall [4] | |||
Biz Markie singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Just a Friend" on YouTube |
"Just a Friend" is a song written, [3] [4] produced [4] and performed by American hip hop artist Biz Markie. It was released in September 1989 as the lead single from his album The Biz Never Sleeps . It is Markie's most successful single, reaching number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990. [5]
The song interpolates the 1968 song "(You) Got What I Need" recorded by Freddie Scott, whose basic chord and melody provided the base for the song's chorus. Markie's lyrics [6] describe romantic frustration after pursuing a woman who is actually romantically involved with another man who she falsely claims is "just a friend." Due to the widespread popularity of the song along with its acclaim and its influence on pop culture (and Markie's failure to have another charting Hot 100 song), Biz was classified by VH1 as a one-hit wonder, and "Just a Friend" was ranked 81st on VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders in 2000, and later as number 100 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop in 2008. [7] Karma, a staff record producer for Cold Chillin' Records, told Vibe magazine in 2005 that he produced the single, but never received credit. [8] The single was certified platinum on April 12, 1990. [9] In 2021, it was ranked at No. 480 on Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Best Songs of All Time". [10]
The music video, directed by Lionel C. Martin, acts out the lyrics humorously and includes a scene of Biz Markie singing the chorus dressed as Mozart in 18th-century clothing with a powdered wig in a candlelit room while playing the piano. [11] [12] [13]
In 1993, Akinyele's song I Luh Hur from his album Vagina Diner mentioned Just a Friend. [14]
In 2006, American rock band Tally Hall recorded a cover of Just a Friend, later releasing it on streaming platforms in 2019. [15]
In 2007, Chris Rock and Kerry Washington sang Just A Friend in a scene from the movie I Think I Love My Wife. [16]
In November 2010, actor Jeff Goldblum performed the song in a duet with Markie on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon . The duet was highly requested by fans of the show and was set up by Fallon and the Roots. [17]
In June 2023, his widow Tara Hall, [18] announced the Just a Friend Foundation [19] and confirmed a documentary about Biz Markie’s life, All Up in the Biz, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. [20]
Charts (1989–1990) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Top Singles (RPM) [21] | 66 |
UK Singles (OCC) [22] | 55 |
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 [5] | 9 |
U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks ( Billboard ) [5] | 37 |
U.S. Hot Rap Singles (Billboard) [5] | 5 |
Chart (1990) [23] | Position |
---|---|
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 94 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA) [9] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Marcel Theo Hall, known professionally as Biz Markie, was an American rapper and singer. Markie's 1989 single "Just a Friend", became a Top 40 hit in several countries and was named No. 100 on VH1's list of the 100 greatest hip-hop songs of all time in 2008. Markie was sometimes referred to as the "Clown Prince of Hip Hop".
"My Name Is" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his second album The Slim Shady LP (1999). It is also the opening song and lead single of the album. The song contains an interpolation from British singer Labi Siffre's 1975 track "I Got The..." featuring the bass and guitar riff as originally played by British pop rock duo Chas & Dave. The song was ranked at #26 on "VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s". "My Name Is" was also ranked #6 on Q Magazine's "1001 Best Songs Ever". "My Name Is" peaked at number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Eminem's first top 40 hit there. Outside the United States, "My Name Is" peaked within the top ten of the charts in Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, Ireland, and United Kingdom.
"Think of You" is a song by American musician Usher. It was co-written by Usher alongside LaFace Records labelmate Donell Jones and Bad Boy singer Faith Evans for his self-titled debut album (1994). The song samples a groove from the instrumental track "Tidal Wave" (1975) by American jazz musician Ronnie Laws, also featuring vocals from rapper Biz Markie's "Just Rhymin' With Biz" (1987). Lyrically, "Think of You" finds the protagonist going through a breakup and dealing with conflicting feelings about his ex.
"The Message" is a song by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. It was released as a single by Sugar Hill Records on July 1, 1982, and was later featured on the group's debut studio album of the same name.
"It Was a Good Day" is a song by American rapper Ice Cube, released on February 23, 1993 by Lench Mob and Priority as the second single from his third solo album, The Predator (1992). The song was written by Ice Cube and produced by DJ Pooh, peaking at No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 27 on the UK Charts. On the Billboard Hot 100, the song peaked at No. 15, making it Ice Cube's highest-charting single on the chart to date. Its music video was directed by F. Gary Gray. The song's lyrics describe a generic pleasant day from his life; according to Ice Cube, he had no specific date in mind, though several attempts have been made to identify one.
"Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check" is a song by American rapper Busta Rhymes. It was released on January 7, 1996, by Flipmode Entertainment and Elektra Records as his debut solo single and the lead single from his debut studio album, The Coming (1996). The song was both written and produced by Rhymes and Rashad Smith. It contains additional vocals by Flipmode Squad member and Rhymes' cousin Rampage, credited as Rampage the Last Boy Scout. A critical and commercial success, the song peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100, and also peaked at the same position in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. In the United States, the song was released with several remixes of the song and "Everything Remains Raw", also appearing on The Coming, as its B-side. The single received a nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 39th Grammy Awards, losing to "Hey Lover" by LL Cool J. In addition, its music video, directed by Hype Williams, received a nomination for Breakthrough Video at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards.
"Girls, Girls, Girls" is the second single from rapper Jay-Z's album The Blueprint (2001). The single was released on October 2, 2001. It is a playful description of the artist's promiscuous lifestyle. The song contains a sample of "There's Nothing In This World That Can Stop Me From Loving You" by Tom Brock, who died a year later. The chorus features a lyrical interpolation of "High Power Rap" by Crash Crew. The song has additional vocals sung by Q-Tip, Slick Rick and Biz Markie, but they are not credited as featured guests on the back artwork; they are, however, credited in the album's liner notes.
"Can't Wait" is the second single released from Redman's second album, Dare Iz a Darkside. It is produced by Erick Sermon and Redman, and contains samples from "All Night Long" by Mary Jane Girls, "Caribbean Nights" by Bob James and "Just Rhymin' With Biz" by Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie.
"Best Friend" is a song by American rapper 50 Cent released as a bonus track on the soundtrack of the film Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005). A remix version featuring singer Olivia was released as a single.
Goin' Off is the debut studio album by American hip hop musician Biz Markie. The album was released by Cold Chillin' Records, and produced by Marley Marl. Big Daddy Kane wrote the lyrics of the album's first five songs. The album also showcased Biz's talent as a human beatbox on the song "Make the Music with Your Mouth, Biz", and his skill in the game of dozens on the track "Nobody Beats the Biz". One of his most widely known songs, "Vapors", was on the album.
"Vapors" is a song co-written and performed by American hip hop musician Biz Markie, issued as the fifth single from his debut studio album Goin' Off. The song peaked at #80 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1988.
"Just a Friend 2002" is a song by American R&B singer Mario, written by Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell, Harold Lilly, John Smith, and Biz Markie. It is a loose cover of Markie's hit "Just a Friend" and was the first single released from Mario's self-titled debut album. 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. Produced by Campbell, the song was released in April 2002 and peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in August 2002.
The Biz Never Sleeps is the second studio album by Biz Markie. It was released on October 10, 1989, on Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros. Records and was produced by Biz, his cousin Cool V on Cold Chillin'Records. The album proved to be a success, peaking at #66 on the Billboard 200 and #9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, as well as producing his most famous song and biggest hit, "Just a Friend," which made it to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on the Hot Rap Singles.
"One Last Cry" is a song co-written and co-produced by Brandon Barnes, Melanie Barnes and Brian McKnight. The song was performed by American contemporary R&B singer Brian McKnight, issued in May 1993 by Mercury Records as the fourth single from his eponymous debut album (1992). It was McKnight's first solo hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100, peaking at numbers 13 and 14.
"He Can't Love U" is a song performed by American contemporary R&B group Jagged Edge, issued as the second single from their second studio album J.E. Heartbreak. Co-written by group members Brian and Brandon Casey, the song peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1999.
Frank Javiel Malave, better known by his stage name Frankie Cutlass, is an American Grammy nominated and award winning DJ, record producer, songwriter, and remixer from East Harlem, New York City. He was a member of the Funkmaster Flex's DJ collective The Flip Squad.
"Comforter" is a song by Shai, issued as the second single from their debut studio album ...If I Ever Fall in Love. The song was written by group members Carl Martin, Darnell Van Rensalier and Marc Gay, with Martin also handling production. The song peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold on July 28, 1993 for sales of 500,000 copies.
"Say Yes" is a song by performed by Floetry, issued as the second single from their debut studio album Floetic. It was written by lead singer Marsha Ambrosius along with Andre Harris, and was produced by Harris. The song was the group's only single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #24 in 2003.
"I Belong to You (Every Time I See Your Face)" is a song co-written and performed by American contemporary R&B singer Rome. It is the opening track on his eponymous debut album and was issued as the album's first single. The song is Rome's biggest hit to date on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #6 in 1997.
"All the Things (Your Man Won't Do)" is a song by American R&B singer Joe. It was written by Joe, Joshua Thompson, and Michele Williams and produced by Joe and Thompson. The song originally appeared on the soundtrack to the film Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood and was later included as the opening track on his second studio album All That I Am (1997). It was his first hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 11 in 1996. The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on April 10, 1996.
He was a DJ and beat boxer, so he was undoubtedly hip-hop, but his aesthetic was rooted in a comedy...