Static Major

Stephen Ellis Garrett (November 11, 1974 – February 25, 2008), known professionally as Static Major (often stylized as Static/Major), was an American musician, writer, and producer from Louisville, Kentucky. He was a member of the R&B trio Playa. Static Major gained posthumous hard-earned homage for writing and creating the majority of Lil Wayne's 2008 album Tha Carter III and it's lead single "Lollipop".[1] He was a songwriter for several artists, including Aaliyah, Ginuwine, Pretty Ricky, and Destiny's Child.[2]

"Stephen Garrett" redirects here. For the British film and TV producer, see Stephen Garrett (producer).

Static Major
Garrett in 2001
Background information
Birth nameStephen Ellis Garrett
Also known as
Born(1974-11-11)November 11, 1974
Louisville, Kentucky, America
DiedFebruary 25, 2008(2008-02-25) (aged 33)
Louisville, Kentucky, North America
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • writer
  • producer
  • musician
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1990−2008
Labels
Associated acts

Static wrote majorities of lyrics in Aaliyah's self-titled 2001 album.[3] A YouTube video featuring Static Major alongside Smoke E. Digglera of Playa was also heavily sampled on Drake's song "Look What You've Done" from his 2011 album Take Care.[4][5] He died unexpectedly in February 2008, before the completion of his debut solo album.

Music career

Static started his producing career when he signed Swing Mob. Major made a breakthrough working with R&B singer Ginuwine. Major helped produce the song "Pony" which became a major hit and a milestone in both Major's and Timbaland's careers.[6] He later became a member of the Def Jam group Playa, who were most known for their hit single "Cheers 2 U". Playa released an album of the same name in 1998.

After working with Ginuwine, Static assisted in producing songs for Nicole Wray for her 1998 debut album, Make It Hot. Static Major would eventually become the lead songwriter for the late R&B singer Aaliyah. His songwriting collaborations with Aaliyah include: "Are You That Somebody?", which was featured in the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack, and the Romeo Must Die soundtrack singles "Come Back in One Piece" and her first and only number-one Billboard Hot 100 single "Try Again". The songs "More than a Woman," "We Need a Resolution," "Rock the Boat", "Loose Rap" (which he was also featured on), "Extra Smooth", "I Refuse", "Read Between the Lines", "Those Were The Days," and "Never No More" were all featured on her third and final studio album Aaliyah. He earned Aaliyah four top 25 Billboard Hot 100 singles during his time working with the late R&B star.[1][6]

Static was frequently a collaborator with R&B group Pretty Ricky, working with them on several songs, including "Juicy", from their 2005 album Bluestars.[1] His most recent work producing music was Lil Wayne's "Lollipop" from the album Tha Carter III. Suppertime is the solo album that Static Major was reportedly set to release on OG Music/Blackground in 2008.[1] Static worked along with Rudy Sandapa in producing "Fire Lovin'" by R&B musician Pleasure P on his album The Introduction of Marcus Cooper. Static had numerous leaked demos for Pleasure and many other artists including Aaliyah and JoJo. "I stay in the streets, that's where I draw my inspiration," Static Major said describing where he gets his inspiration. "If it can't be played in the hood, then it just doesn't work for me. And nobody can hold me on harmony. My whole aura is not your typical R&B aura." Static re-emerged posthumously in 2018 on Drake's album, Scorpion, on the song, "After Dark", which peaked at number 41 on the Hot 100.

Death

Garrett died at Baptist Hospital East in Louisville, Kentucky on February 25, 2008. No cause of death was released, but it was reported that he had suffered a suspected brain aneurysm.[1] The music video for "Lollipop" was dedicated to his memory.

Discography

As a lead artist
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
R&B
"Bus Stop Breezy" 2006 — Suppertime
"Your Valentine" 2007 —
"I Got My"
(featuring Lil Wayne)		 98
"Till the Wheels Fall Off"
(featuring Pretty Ricky)		 —
List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[7]		 US
R&B/HH
[8]		 US
Rap
[9]		 AUS
[10]		 CAN
[11]		 GER
[12]		 IRE
[13]		 NZ
[14]		 SWI
[15]		 UK
[16]
"Crank It Up"
(David Banner featuring Static Major)		 2004 —87———————— MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water
"Lollipop"
(Lil Wayne featuring Static Major)		 2008 1113210222833926 Tha Carter III
"After Dark"
(Drake featuring Ty Dolla Sign and Static Major)		 2018 41 28 — 63 40 — — — — — Scorpion
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

References
  1. "Producer Static major, of Former R&B Group Playa, Dies". Vibe. Archived from the original on August 26, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
  2. "David Banner Speaks On Static Major Death". Rapbasement.com. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
  3. Reid, Shaheem (June 26, 2001). "Aaliyah Makes Love And War On New Album". MTV News. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  4. "The Top 100 Albums of 2010 - 2014". Pitchfork. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  5. "Smoke x Static Major Footage " (Drake "Look What You've Done" Sample) + Smoke Interview". Youtube. Youtube. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  6. "» STEPHEN "STATIC/MAJOR" GARRETT - (1976-2008)". February 26, 2008. Archived from the original on January 8, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
  7. "Lil Wayne Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  8. Peak chart positions for guest appearances on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the United States:
  9. "Lil Wayne Album & Song Chart History: Rap Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  10. "Discography Lil Wayne". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 30, 2010. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  11. "Lil Wayne Album & Song Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  12. "Chartverfolgung / Lil Wayne / Single". musicline.de (in German). Media Control Charts. Archived from the original on January 10, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  13. "Discography Lil Wayne". irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  14. "Discography Lil Wayne". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  15. "Lil Wayne (Charts)". hitparade.ch (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  16. "Lil' Wayne Featuring Drake". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  17. "Gold & Platinum: Lil Wayne". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  18. "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". RadioScope. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
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