Static Major | |
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Static Major, 2001
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Background information | |
Birth name | Stephen Ellis Garrett |
Born | November 11, 1974 |
Origin | Louisville, Kentucky, United States |
Died | February 25, 2008 Louisville, Kentucky |
(aged 33)
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1990−2008 |
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Associated acts |
Stephen Ellis Garrett (November 11, 1974 – February 25, 2008), also known as Static Major, was a Grammy Award-winning American recording artist and record producer from Louisville, Kentucky, USA. He was a member of the R&B trio Playa. Static Major gained posthumous fame for appearing on Lil Wayne's 2008 album Tha Carter III on the song "Lollipop". He was a songwriter for several artists, including Aaliyah, Ginuwine, Pretty Ricky, and Destiny's Child.
Static wrote most of the lyrics on Aaliyah's self-titled 2001 album. 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. He died unexpectedly in his hospital room; his debut album was not released.
Static started his producing career when he signed with M.N.I MUSIC COMPANY CALLED g.s.;rSwing Mob Records. 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. 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 1997.
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.