Johnny Kemp Dead at 55

It only takes one hit to become a star in the music game.

With just one song — and the help of my dude Keith Sweat, naturally — Johnny Kemp became the voice of the weekend. But Friday nights just got a lot sadder.

According to The Root, citing The Bahamas Weekly, Kemp, 55 died Thursday from injuries suffered in a fall.

Kemp’s 1988 smash, “Just Got Paid,” was a working-class anthem, climbing to No. 1 on the dance charts and reaching pop’s Top 10. Kemp dropped two albums — a self-titled debut in 1986 and Secrets of Flying the following year.  “Just Got Paid” was his calling card, of course, but “Dancin’ with Myself” and “One Thing Led to Another” were noteworthy too.

Still, nothing set off a Friday night like “Just Got Paid.” Thirty years later, it’s still recognized as one of the greatest song of the New Jack Swing Era, and an immediate party-starter.

Friday nights just won’t be the same.