Just a Friend 2002

Last updated

"Just a Friend 2002"
Mariojustafriend2002.jpg
Single by Mario
from the album Mario
ReleasedApril 22, 2002 (2002-04-22)
Genre R&B [1]
Length3:34
Label J
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Warryn Campbell
Mario singles chronology
"Just a Friend 2002"
(2002)		"Braid My Hair"
(2002)
Music video
"Just a Friend 2002" on YouTube

"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.

Contents

The song was released by J Records in April 2002 as the first single released from the album. "Just a Friend 2002" peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in August 2002, also reaching number three on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 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 Songs chart and number eight on the Rhythmic chart. [10] [11] Elsewhere, the song entered the top ten 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. Senator Theater - Circa COVID-19 (51050796756).jpg
Portions of "Just a Friend 2002" were filmed at the Senator Theatre.

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, wearning in 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

Credits and personnel

Credits lifted from the liner notes of Mario. [3]

Charts

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Just a Friend 2002"
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesApril 22, 2002 J [34]
New ZealandOctober 7, 2002CD [35]
AustraliaOctober 14, 2002 [36]
United KingdomMarch 31, 2003
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [37]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biz Markie</span> American rapper from New York (1964–2021)

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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Me Love You (Mario song)</span> 2004 single by Mario

"Let Me Love You" is a song by American singer Mario, released by J Records on October 4, 2004, as the lead single from his second studio album, Turning Point (2004). The song was written by then-unknown American singer Ne-Yo, Kameron Houff, and Scott Storch, while production was handled by the latter. The song garnered Mario a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 2006 and became a top-10 hit worldwide, reaching number one in the United States, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Think of You (Usher song)</span> 1994 single by Usher

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diary (Alicia Keys song)</span> 2004 single by Alicia Keys

"Diary" is a song by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys from her second studio album, The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003). Written by Keys and Kerry Brothers, Jr. and produced by Keys, the song features the American group Tony! Toni! Toné! on bass, piano, guitar, organ and Wurlitzer, while Jermaine Paul provides uncredited additional vocals. It was released on May 24, 2004, as the album's third single. At one time, "Diary" had been released as a double A-side with "If I Ain't Got You".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary J. Blige discography</span>

American singer Mary J. Blige began her career as a backing vocalist for Uptown Records in the early 1990s. In a career spanning more than 30 years, she has released 15 studio albums and 83 singles—including more than 20 as a featured artist. The "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" has sold an estimate of over 100 million records worldwide, and over 20 million in the United States alone. Billboard ranked Blige as the 18th Greatest Billboard 200 Woman of all time, the 45th Greatest Hot 100 Woman of all time and 88th Greatest Artist of all time.

<i>Mario</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Mario

Mario is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Mario. It was released on July 23, 2002, by J Records. The album debuted at number 9 on the US Billboard 200, with first week sales of 96,000 copies and was eventually certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States. Mario was supported by three singles, including "Just a Friend 2002", "Braid My Hair" and "C'Mon".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shackles (Praise You)</span> 2000 single by Mary Mary

"Shackles (Praise You)" is the debut single by American gospel singer-songwriter duo Mary Mary. Originally released February 29, 2000, as a promotional single for their album Thankful, it is considered the group's signature song and one of the best-selling gospel songs of all time. Stan North of GospelFlava.com deemed it one of the pioneer songs of urban gospel music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girls, Girls, Girls (Jay-Z song)</span> 2001 single by Jay-Z

"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.

The discography of the Notorious B.I.G., an American rapper, consists of two studio albums, three posthumous albums, two compilation albums, one soundtrack and 27 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karma (Alicia Keys song)</span> 2004 single by Alicia Keys

"Karma" is a song by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys, taken from her second studio album, The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003). Written by Keys, Kerry Brothers, Jr., and Taneisha Smith, the song takes influence from hip hop and classical music. It was released as the album's fourth and final single on November 1, 2004, by J Records. Peaking at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 17 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, it's the album's only single not to top a Billboard chart. A mashup of "Karma" with Stevie Wonder's 1972 hit "Superstition" titled "Karmastition", produced by Go Home Productions, was also released.

<i>Meet the Girl Next Door</i> 2003 studio album by Lil Mo

Meet the Girl Next Door is the second studio album by American singer Lil' Mo. It was released on April 29, 2003 by Elektra Records. Written and recorded during her eighth-month pregnancy break in which she became a part-time anchor for Baltimore urban radio station WXYV-FM's The Lil' Mo Show, Lil' Mo worked with a variety of producers on the album, including Missy Elliott, Walter "Lil' Walt" Millsap III, Chucky Thompson, Bryan-Michael Cox, Craig Love, Warryn Campbell, Dwayne Bastiany, and Precision. Guest vocalists on Meet the Girl Next Door include rappers Fabolous, Free, and Lil' Kim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Braid My Hair</span> 2002 single by Mario

"Braid My Hair" is a song by American singer Mario. It was written by Warryn Campbell and Harold Lilly and produced by the former for Mario's self-titled debut album (2002), while Lilly is also credited as a vocal producer on the track. A downtempo contemporary R&B song about young love and the intimacy of getting your hair braided, it was conceived late into the production of Mario. Released by J Records in October 2002 as the album's second single, the song reached the top 20 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C'Mon (Mario song)</span> 2003 single by Mario

"C'Mon" is a song by American singer Mario. It was written by John "Jubu" Smith, Joi Campbell and her brother Warryn Campbell for his debut studio album Mario (2002), while production was helmed by the latter. The song contains elements from "Think " (1972) by soul singer Lyn Collins as well as excperts from "It Takes Two" (1988) by hip hop duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock. Due to the excperts, Base is also credited as a songwriter under his birth name Robert Ginyard. "C'Mon" was released as the album's third and final single on January 14, 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Like You'll Never See Me Again</span> 2008 single by Alicia Keys

"Like You'll Never See Me Again" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys for her third studio album As I Am (2007). Written and produced by Keys and Kerry Brothers Jr., it was first heard on October 25, 2007, on Atlanta's V103 WVEE radio station. Subsequently, it was released as the second single from As I Am on January 22, 2008, by J Records.

<i>The Biz Never Sleeps</i> 1989 studio album by Biz Markie

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. The album was certified gold by the RIAA on April 24, 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MC Lyte discography</span>

The following is the discography of MC Lyte, an American hip hop musician.

The discography of Big Daddy Kane, an American rapper, consists of seven studio albums and fourteen singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Love You (Faith Evans song)</span> 2002 single by Faith Evans

"I Love You" is a song by American recording artist Faith Evans. It was written by Anthony Best, Michael Jamison, Bobby Springsteen, and Jennifer Lopez and recorded by Evans for her third studio album Faithfully (2001). Production on the song was overseen by Buckwild, Mario Winans and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs. Initially written for Lopez's second studio J.Lo (2001), the contemporary R&B ballad samples singer Isaac Hayes' 1976 record "Make a Little Love to Me" and finds Evans, as the protagonist, confessing her love and dignity to a man who has yet to find a heart for her.

"Best of Me, Part 2" is a song by American singer Mýa featuring American rapper Jay-Z. Significantly different from the original version — both musically and lyrically. "Best of Me, Part 2" served as the second single from DJ Clue?'s album DJ Clue? Presents: Backstage Mixtape (2000), the soundtrack to the 2000 documentary film, Backstage. The remix was written and composed by Harrison, Teron Beal, Shawn Carter, Larry Gates, Marcel Hall, Trackmasters duo Samuel Barnes and Jean Claude-Oliver, and Marlon Williams, and samples an interpolation of the 1987 song "Make the Music with Your Mouth, Biz", performed by Biz Markie.

References

  1. ↑ "The Number Ones: Mario's "Let Me Love You"". December 19, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Warryn Campbell Shares Stories of Creating Hits, Talks Upcoming Releases on My Block Label (Exclusive Interview)". You Know I Got Soul. May 19, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 Mario (booklet). Mario. J Records. 2002.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ↑ "New & Noteworthy". Billboard . June 1, 2002. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  5. 1 2 LeRoy, Dan. "Mario – Mario". AllMusic . Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 Breihan, Tom (December 19, 2022). "The Number Ones: Mario's "Let Me Love You"". Stereogum . Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  7. ↑ "The 100 Greatest R&B Songs of the 21st Century". Rolling Stone . January 3, 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 "Mario Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  9. 1 2 "Billboard Top 100 – 2002". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  10. 1 2 "Mario Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  11. 1 2 "Mario Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  12. 1 2 "Mario – Chart history – Billboard". Billboard . Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  13. 1 2 "Mario – Just a Friend 2002". Top 40 Singles.
  14. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  15. 1 2 "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  16. 1 2 "Mario: Just a Friend 2002". IMDb . Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  17. ↑ "15 Year-Old Mario to Shoot First Video in His Hometown Baltimore, April 7th & 8th". idobi.com. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Mario - "Just A Friend 2002 shot"". artistdirect.com. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Mario – "Just A Friend 2002 Music Video"". 2002. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021 – via YouTube.
  20. ↑ Just a Friend 2002 (US CD single liner notes). Mario. J Records. 2002. 80813-21219-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ↑ Just a Friend 2002 (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Mario. J Records. 2002. 80813-21212-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ↑ Just a Friend 2002 (UK CD single liner notes). Mario. J Records. 2002. 82876508082.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ↑ Just a Friend 2002 (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Mario. J Records. 2002. 82876508081.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ↑ Just a Friend 2002 (European CD single liner notes). Mario. J Records. 2002. 74321-96190-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ↑ "Issue 661" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 21, no. 17. April 19, 2003. p. 11. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Mario – Just a Friend 2002" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  28. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  29. ↑ "Mario Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  30. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002". Jam!. January 14, 2003. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2002" . Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor . Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 12.
  33. ↑ "Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 22.
  34. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1449. April 19, 2002. p. 30. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  35. ↑ "New Releases". netcd.co.nz. October 7, 2002. Archived from the original on October 10, 2002. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  36. ↑ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 14th October 2002" (PDF). ARIA. October 14, 2002. p. 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 6, 2002. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  37. ↑ "In-Store Next Week: From 31/3/03" (PDF). Music Week . March 29, 2003. p. 19. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.