Just a Friend 2002

"Just a Friend 2002"
Single by Mario
from the album Mario
ReleasedApril 22, 2002 (2002-04-22)
GenreR&B[1]
Length3:34
LabelJ
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.

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

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

Personnel

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

Charts

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Just a Friend 2002"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States April 22, 2002
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]

References

  1. ^ "The Number Ones: Mario's "Let Me Love You"". December 19, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c Mario (booklet). J Records. 2002.
  4. ^ "New & Noteworthy". Billboard. June 1, 2002. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  5. ^ a b LeRoy, Dan. "Mario – Mario". AllMusic. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c "Mario Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Billboard Top 100 – 2002". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Mario Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  11. ^ a b "Mario Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  12. ^ a b "Mario – Chart history – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  13. ^ a b "Mario – Just a Friend 2002". Top 40 Singles.
  14. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  15. ^ a b "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  16. ^ a b "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). J Records. 2002. 80813-21219-2.
  21. ^ Just a Friend 2002 (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). J Records. 2002. 80813-21212-7.
  22. ^ Just a Friend 2002 (UK CD single liner notes). J Records. 2002. 82876508082.
  23. ^ Just a Friend 2002 (UK 12-inch single sleeve). J Records. 2002. 82876508081.
  24. ^ Just a Friend 2002 (European CD single liner notes). J Records. 2002. 74321-96190-2.
  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.
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