You’ve heard it. That clunky, charming piano riff. The slightly off-key, desperate howl of a man who just wants his girl back. Whether you’re a Gen X-er who remembers the original music video or a Gen Z-er who knows it from a TikTok trend, the question of who sings you got what i need usually leads people down a rabbit hole of 80s hip-hop and 60s soul. It's not just one person. It's a legacy of sampling that connects a New York rap legend to a forgotten songwriter from the Brill Building era.
The voice most people are looking for belongs to Biz Markie.
His 1989 hit "Just a Friend" is the definitive version of that hook. But here’s the thing: Biz didn't actually write that melody. He didn't write those lyrics either. He took them from a guy named Freddie Scott, who released a song called "(You) Got What I Need" back in 1968. It’s one of those weird moments in music history where a "cover" or a sample becomes so much more famous than the original that the original artist almost disappears from the conversation.
The Biz Markie Phenomenon: Why "Just a Friend" Stuck
Biz Markie was known as the "Clown Prince of Hip Hop." In an era where rappers were trying to be as tough and lyrical as possible—think Public Enemy or Big Daddy Kane—Biz decided to sing. And honestly? He wasn't a good singer. That was the whole point. When you ask who sings you got what i need, you’re usually thinking of that specific, gravelly, unpolished vocal on the chorus of "Just a Friend."
Biz was part of the legendary Juice Crew. He was a beatboxer first, a rapper second, and a singer... well, maybe fifth or sixth. But that imperfection is why the song exploded. It felt human. He was telling a story about being "friend-zoned" before that was even a common term. He goes to visit a girl at college, finds out she’s seeing another guy, and she gives him the classic line: "Oh, he's just a friend."
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The song reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. It stayed there for ages. It became a karaoke staple because, frankly, you don't have to be good at singing to do it. You just have to be loud. Biz Markie passed away in 2021, but this song is basically immortal.
The Original Source: Freddie Scott and the 1968 Soul Classic
If you listen to the original 1968 track by Freddie Scott, it’s a completely different vibe. Scott was a polished soul singer. He had a rich, baritone voice. His version of "(You) Got What I Need" was written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff—the architects of the "Philadelphia Soul" sound.
When Freddie Scott sings it, it’s a plea. It’s romantic. When Biz Markie sings it, it’s a comedy-tragedy about a bad breakup.
Most people don't realize how much Biz lifted. He didn't just sample the beat; he interpolated the entire chorus. If you play the Freddie Scott version for someone who only knows the rap song, their eyes usually go wide around the 40-second mark. They recognize the piano. They recognize the "Oh baby, you..."
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Why the Sample Mattered
- The Piano Hook: That repetitive, bouncy piano line was played by Biz’s producer, Cool V, but it was a direct lift of the Freddie Scott arrangement.
- The Emotional Shift: Scott’s version is about a guy who finally found the right woman. Biz’s version is about a guy who got played.
- The Legal Impact: This was the wild west of sampling. Biz Markie would later be involved in a massive lawsuit (Grand Upright Music, Ltd. v. Warner Bros. Records Inc.) over a different song, which changed how every artist handles samples today. But for "Just a Friend," the Freddie Scott connection remained its most famous DNA.
Other Versions You Might Be Thinking Of
Sometimes people ask who sings you got what i need because they heard a modern cover. Because the song is so iconic, it has been stripped down and rebuilt a dozen times.
- Mario: Back in 2002, the R&B singer Mario released "Just a Friend 2002." It used the same hook but turned it into a smooth, early-2000s R&B jam. It was a massive hit for a new generation.
- T-Pain: He did a version for his Tiny Desk concert that reminded everyone how good the melody actually is when you aren't shouting it.
- The Advertisements: This song has been in commercials for everything from Heineken to UnitedHealthcare. It’s the go-to "relatable" song for brands.
It’s a weirdly resilient piece of music. It shouldn't work. A rap song where the guy sings badly over a 20-year-old soul sample? On paper, it’s a mess. In reality, it’s one of the most recognizable choruses in American history.
The Technical Breakdown: Why the Hook Works
There is actually some science to why we can't get this song out of our heads. The melody follows a very simple pentatonic structure. It’s easy for the human brain to predict where the next note is going.
When Biz Markie screams "You got what I need," he hits a flat note on the "need." In music theory, that’s a "blue note." It creates tension. Our ears want it to resolve, but it never quite does. That’s why you feel the urge to sing along—your brain is trying to "fix" the note by singing it yourself.
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What to Do if You Want to Master the Song
If you're looking for the song because you want to perform it or use it in a project, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, decide which "vibe" you’re going for.
- For Karaoke: Stick to the Biz Markie style. Don't try to be good. If you hit the notes perfectly, you’ve actually failed. The charm is in the struggle.
- For Playlists: Add the Freddie Scott original right after the Biz Markie version. It’s a great conversation starter at parties. People love saying, "Wait, is this the original?"
- For Producers: Be careful. The "Just a Friend" hook is one of the most protected pieces of intellectual property in the Warner Chappell catalog. If you're going to sample it, get your checkbook ready.
Final Insights on the Legacy of the Song
The story of who sings you got what i need is really a story about the layers of music history. You have the 1960s soul foundations laid by Gamble and Huff, the 1980s DIY spirit of Biz Markie, and the 2000s R&B polish of Mario.
It proves that a good melody is indestructible. You can speed it up, slow it down, sing it badly, or wrap it in a rap beat—it doesn't matter. People will still be humming that piano line fifty years from now.
Next Steps for Music Fans:
Check out the album The Biz Never Sleeps. It’s where the track first appeared. If you want to dive deeper into the "Philly Soul" side of things, look up the discography of Freddie Scott; he had a much bigger career than just that one sampled track, including hits like "Hey, Girl" which was a Top 10 hit in its own right. Understanding the roots makes the "Just a Friend" version even more impressive because you see how Biz transformed a serious soul plea into a universal anthem for the broken-hearted.