Just a Friend 2002

"Just a Friend 2002" is a R&B single by Mario. It is the first single from his first studio album Mario, which was a loose cover of Biz Markie's hit, "Just a Friend". Mario's version is quite 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 single was released in February 2002. The single was produced by Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell and written by Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell, Harold Lilly, John Smith and Biz Markie. It outperformed Markie's 1989 version on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at #4 on August 24, 2002, while Markie's peaked at #9.

"Just a Friend 2002"
Single by Mario
from the album Mario
ReleasedFebruary 21, 2002 (2002-02-21)
Recorded2001
GenreR&B, hip hop soul, teen pop
Length3:34
LabelJ Records
Songwriter(s)Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell, Harold Lilly, John Smith & Biz Markie
Producer(s)Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell
Mario singles chronology
"Tameeka"
(2001)		 "Just a Friend 2002"
(2002)		 "Braid My Hair"
(2002)

Background

Although the song's chorus interpolates Biz Markie's "Just A Friend," the stories in the two songs are different. Whereas in Markie's version, the song is about a cheating girlfriend, Mario's version is rather about unrequited love. The song also contains an instrumental sample from Run–D.M.C.'s "Sucker M.C.'s." Usher was given the song and it was to be on his unreleased album All About U but when the album was shelved, he passed on the song and it was then given to Mario.

Music video

The video was directed by Diane Martel, which was shot on location in Mario's hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.[1] The video features Mario 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. Biz Markie can be seen in parts of the theater and heard in the beginning of the video.[2] Cassie Ventura is also featured briefly in this video.

Track listing

Just a Friend 2002
  1. "Just a Friend 2002" (Radio Edit)
  2. "Just a Friend 2002" (Old School Mix, feat. Biz Markie) (Official Remix)
  3. "Just a Friend 2002" (New School Mix, feat. Shells)

"Just a Friend" / "Braid My Hair" DVD single
  1. "Just a Friend"
  2. "Braid My Hair"

Videos
  1. "Just a Friend"
  2. "Braid My Hair"
  3. The Making of "Braid My Hair"

Charts
Chart (2002) Peak
position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[3] 8
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[4] 68
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[5] 70
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[6] 15
Scotland (OCC)[7] 44
UK Singles (OCC)[8] 18
UK R&B (OCC)[9] 5
US Billboard Hot 100[10] 4
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11] 3
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[12] 6
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[13] 8

Year-end charts
Chart (2002) Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 34

References
  1. "Mario - "Just A Friend 2002 shot"".
  2. "Mario - "Just A Friend 2002 Music Video"". 2002.
  3. "Mario - Chart history - Billboard". Billboard. November 3, 2019.
  4. "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 21 no. 17. April 19, 2003. p. 11. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  5. "Dutchcharts.nl – Mario – Just a Friend 2002" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  6. "Charts.nz – Mario – Just a Friend 2002". Top 40 Singles.
  7. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  8. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  9. "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  10. "Mario Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  11. "Mario Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  12. "Mario Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  13. "Mario Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2019.


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