Just a Friend 2002

"Just a Friend 2002"
Single by Mario
from the album Mario
Released	April 22, 2002 (2002-04-22)
Genre	R&B[1]
Length	3:34
Label	J
Songwriter(s)	Warryn Campbell Harold Lilly Biz Markie John Smith
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.