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Just a Friend 2002

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"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.

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

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"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

[edit]

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

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"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

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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, 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

[edit]

Credits and personnel

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

Charts

[edit]

Release history

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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

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  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). 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. ^ 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). 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.
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