{{Short description|2002 single by Mario}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}} {{Infobox song | name = Just a Friend 2002 | cover = Mariojustafriend2002.jpg | border = yes | alt = | type = single | artist = Mario | album = Mario | B-side = | released = {{start date|2002|04|22}} | recorded = | studio = | venue = | genre = R&B<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stereogum.com/2208512/the-number-ones-marios-let-me-love-you/columns/the-number-ones/ | title=The Number Ones: Mario's "Let Me Love You" | date=December 19, 2022 }}</ref><!-- Do not add unsourced genres --> | length = 3:34 | label = J | writer = *Warryn Campbell *Harold Lilly *Biz Markie *John Smith | producer = Warryn Campbell | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = Braid My Hair | next_year = 2002 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|q4BTLoHSGMk|"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.
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''.<ref name="youknowigotsoul"/> 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.<ref name="youknowigotsoul">{{cite web|url=https://youknowigotsoul.com/warryn-campbell-shares-stories-of-creating-hits-talks-upcoming-releases-on-my-block-label-exclusive-interview|title=Warryn Campbell Shares Stories of Creating Hits, Talks Upcoming Releases on My Block Label (Exclusive Interview)|publisher=You Know I Got Soul|date=May 19, 2022|access-date=May 23, 2022}}</ref> The chorus of "Just a Friend 2002" contains interpolations from rapper Biz Markie's 1989 song "Just a Friend."<ref name="liner notes"/> The song also contains an instrumental sample from American hip hop group Run–DMC's "Sucker M.C.'s" (1983).<ref name="liner notes"/>
==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."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ug8EAAAAMBAJ|title=New & Noteworthy|magazine=Billboard|date=June 1, 2002|access-date=October 13, 2024}}</ref> 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."<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r595159|pure_url=yes}}|title=Mario – Mario|last=LeRoy|first=Dan|website=AllMusic|access-date=October 13, 2024}}</ref> LeRoy ranked the song among his favorites on the album.<ref name="AllMusic"/> 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."<ref name="stereogum">{{cite web|first=Tom |last=Breihan|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2208512/the-number-ones-marios-let-me-love-you/columns/the-number-ones/|title=The Number Ones: Mario's "Let Me Love You"|website=Stereogum|date=December 19, 2022|access-date=October 13, 2024}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' listed it as the 61st best R&B song of the 21st century.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-rnb-songs-21st-century-1234878625/mario-just-a-friend-1234878835/| title=The 100 Greatest R&B Songs of the 21st Century | magazine=Rolling Stone | date=3 January 2024 }}</ref>
==Chart performance== "Just a Friend 2002" debuted at number 88 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in the week of May 25, 2002.<ref name="Billboardhot100"/> It eventually peaked at number four in the week ending August 24, 2002, spending 21 weeks on the chart.<ref name="Billboardhot100"/> ''Billboard'' ranked it 34th on the chart's 2002 year-end ranking.<ref name="Billboard Hot 100_2002"/> "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.<ref name="Billboardrandbhiphop"/><ref name="Billboardrhythmic"/> Elsewhere, the song entered the top 10 in Canada, peaking at number eight on the Canadian Singles Chart,<ref name="Canada"/> while also reaching number 15 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and number 18 on the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="New Zealand"/><ref name="UK"/> "Just a Friend 2002" also became a top five hit on the UK Hip Hop/R&B Chart.<ref name="UKrandb"/>
==Music video== [[Image:Senator Theater - Circa COVID-19 (51050796756).jpg|thumb|Portions of "Just a Friend 2002" were filmed at the Senator Theatre.<ref name="stereogum"/>]] A music video for "Just a Friend 2002" was directed by Diane Martel.<ref name="imdb">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7769468/|title=Mario: Just a Friend 2002|website=IMDb|access-date=October 13, 2024}}</ref> It was shot on April 7–8, 2002 in Mario's hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://idobi.com/news/15-yearold-mario-to-shoot-first-video-in-his-hometown-baltimore-april-7th-8th/|title=15 Year-Old Mario to Shoot First Video in His Hometown Baltimore, April 7th & 8th|website=idobi.com|access-date=October 13, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/bio/0,,1688793,00.html|title=Mario - "Just A Friend 2002 shot"|website=artistdirect.com|access-date=October 13, 2024}}</ref> 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.<ref name="stereogum"/> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4BTLoHSGMk|title=Mario – "Just A Friend 2002 Music Video"|via=YouTube|date=2002|url-status=live|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/q4BTLoHSGMk|archive-date=December 12, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> American singer-dancer Cassie Ventura is also featured briefly in this video.<ref name="imdb"/>
==Track listings== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} '''US CD single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Just a Friend 2002|year=2002|type=US CD single liner notes|publisher=J Records|id=80813-21219-2}}</ref> # "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'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Just a Friend 2002|year=2002|type=US 7-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=J Records|id=80813-21212-7}}</ref> :A. "Just a Friend 2002" (radio edit) – 3:34 :B. "Just a Friend 2002" (Biz Markie version) – 4:36 {{col-2}} '''UK CD and 12-inch single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Just a Friend 2002|year=2002|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=J Records|id=82876508082}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Just a Friend 2002|year=2002|type=UK 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=J Records|id=82876508081}}</ref> # "Just a Friend 2002" (radio edit) – 3:35 # "Just a Friend 2002" (5AM mix) – 3:39 # "Braid My Hair" – 4:06
'''European CD single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Just a Friend 2002|year=2002|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=J Records|id=74321-96190-2}}</ref> # "Just a Friend 2002" (radio edit) – 3:35 # "Just a Friend 2002" (Old School mix featuring Biz Markie) – 4:36 {{col-end}}
==Personnel== Personnel are lifted from the liner notes of ''Mario''.<ref name="liner notes">{{cite AV media notes|title=Mario|year=2002|publisher=J Records |type=booklet}}</ref> {{div col}} *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 {{div col end}}
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+Weekly chart performance for "Just a Friend 2002" !Chart (2002–2003) !Peak<br/>position |- {{single chart|Australiaurban|22|url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20080222222423/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20021107-0000/Issue661.pdf|access-date=February 27, 2022|rowheader=true}} |- !scope="row"|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref name="Canada">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/mario/chart-history/cns/|title=Mario – Chart history – Billboard|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 3, 2019}}</ref> |align="center"|8 |- !scope="row"|Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2003/MM-2003-04-19.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100|magazine=Music & Media|volume=21|issue=17|page=11|date=April 19, 2003|access-date=November 22, 2019}}</ref> |align="center"|68 |- {{Single chart|Dutch100|70|artist=Mario|song=Just a Friend 2002|rowheader=true}} |- {{Single chart|New Zealand|15|artist=Mario|song=Just a Friend 2002|rowheader=true|refname="New Zealand"}} |- {{Single chart|Scotland|44|artist=Mario|song=Just a Friend|date=20030412|rowheader=true}} |- {{Single chart|UK|18|artist=Mario|song=Just a Friend|date=20030412|rowheader=true|refname="UK"}} |- {{Single chart|UKrandb|5|artist=Mario|song=Just a Friend|date=20030412|rowheader=true|refname="UKrandb"}} |- {{Single chart|Billboardhot100|4|artist=Mario|access-date=November 3, 2019|rowheader=true|refname="Billboardhot100"}} |- {{Single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|3|artist=Mario|access-date=November 3, 2019|rowheader=true|refname="Billboardrandbhiphop"}} |- {{Single chart|Billboardpopsongs|6|artist=Mario|access-date=November 3, 2019|rowheader=true}} |- {{Single chart|Billboardrhythmic|8|artist=Mario|access-date=November 3, 2019|rowheader=true|refname="Billboardrhythmic"}} |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+Year-end chart performance for "Just a Friend 2002" !scope="col"|Chart (2002) !scope="col"|Position |- !scope="row"|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_singles.html|title=Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002|publisher=Jam!|date=January 14, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040906184715/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_singles.html|archive-date=September 6, 2004|access-date=March 22, 2022}}</ref> |align="center"|79 |- !scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref name="Billboard Hot 100_2002">{{cite web|url=https://billboardtop100of.com/2002-2/|title=Billboard Top 100 – 2002|website=Billboardtop100of.com|access-date=March 1, 2021}}</ref> |align="center"|34 |- !scope="row"|US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2002/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2002|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|access-date=March 1, 2021}}</ref> |align="center"|31 |- !scope="row"|US Mainstream Top 40 (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2002|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=10|issue=51|page=12|date=December 20, 2002}}</ref> |align="center"|48 |- !scope="row"|US Rhythmic Top 40 (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2002|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=10|issue=51|page=22|date=December 20, 2002}}</ref> |align="center"|24 |} {{col-end}}
==Release history== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+Release dates and formats for "Just a Friend 2002" !scope="col"|Region !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Format(s) !scope="col"|Label(s) !scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- !scope="row"|United States |April 22, 2002 |{{hlist|Rhythmic contemporary|urban radio}} |rowspan="4"|J |<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-04-19.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1449|page=30|date=April 19, 2002|access-date=May 5, 2021}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|New Zealand |October 7, 2002 |rowspan="2"|CD |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://netcd.co.nz/NewReleases.html|title=New Releases|website=netcd.co.nz|date=October 7, 2002|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20021010050441/http://www.netcd.co.nz/NewReleases.html|archive-date=October 10, 2002|access-date=November 8, 2023}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|Australia |October 14, 2002 |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue659.pdf|title=The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 14th October 2002|publisher=ARIA|page=26|date=October 14, 2002|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20021106130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20021107-0000/Issue659.pdf|archive-date=November 6, 2002|access-date=May 5, 2021}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|United Kingdom |March 31, 2003 |{{hlist|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}} |<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2003/Music-Week-2003-03-29.pdf|title=In-Store Next Week: From 31/3/03|magazine=Music Week|page=19|date=March 29, 2003|access-date=September 2, 2021}}</ref> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Mario (singer)}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Just A Friend 2002}} Category:Mario (singer) songs Category:2001 songs Category:2002 debut singles Category:J Records singles Category:Song recordings produced by Warryn Campbell Category:Songs written by Biz Markie Category:Songs written by Harold Lilly (songwriter) Category:Songs written by Warryn Campbell