Static Major

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

Static Major
Garrett in 2001
Garrett in 2001
Background information
Birth nameStephen Ellis Garrett
Also known as
  • Static
  • Static/Major
Born(1974-11-11)November 11, 1974
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedFebruary 25, 2008(2008-02-25) (aged 33)
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1990−2008
Labels
  • Def Jam
Associated acts

Stephen Ellis Garrett (November 11, 1974 – February 25, 2008), known professionally as Static Major (often stylized as Static/Major), was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer from Louisville, Kentucky. He was a member of the R&B trio Playa. He was a songwriter for several artists, including Aaliyah, Ginuwine, Pretty Ricky, and Destiny's Child.[1]

Static wrote most of the lyrics on Aaliyah's self-titled 2001 album.[2] 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.[3][4]

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.[5] 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 only Billboard Hot 100 number-one 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.[6][5]

He collaborated with R&B group Pretty Ricky on their 2005 song "Juicy".[6] He was featured on Lil Wayne's chart-topping 2008 song "Lollipop".[6][7][8] "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." He was featured posthumously on Drake's 2018 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 from complications of a medical procedure.[9] The music video for "Lollipop" was dedicated to his memory.

Discography[]

Singles[]

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) 		—

As a featured artist[]

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[10] 		US
R&B/HH
[11] 		US
Rap
[12] 		AUS
[13] 		CAN
[14] 		GER
[15] 		IRE
[16] 		NZ
[17] 		SWI
[18] 		UK
[19]
"Crank It Up"
(David Banner featuring Static Major) 		2004 — 87 — — — — — — — — MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water
"Lollipop"
(Lil Wayne featuring Static Major) 		2008 1 1 1 32 10 22 28 3 39 26 Tha Carter III
"After Dark"
(Drake featuring Ty Dolla Sign and Static Major) 		2018 41 28 — 63 40 — — — — — Scorpion
"Luv Is Dro"
(Jack Harlow featuring Static Major and Bryson Tiller) 		2020 — — — — — — — — — — Thats What They All Say
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances[]

References[]

  1. ^ "David Banner Speaks On Static Major Death". Rapbasement.com. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "The Top 100 Albums of 2010 - 2014". Pitchfork. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  4. ^ "Smoke x Static Major Footage " (Drake "Look What You've Done" Sample) + Smoke Interview". Youtube. Youtube. Archived from the original on February 6, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "» Stephen "Static/Major" Garrett - (1976–2008)". February 26, 2008. Archived from the original on January 8, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Producer Static major, of Former R&B Group Playa, Dies". Vibe. Archived from the original on August 26, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
  7. ^ "New Music: Lil Wayne f/ Static – 'Lollipop'". Rap-Up. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  8. ^ "Lollipop by Lil Wayne Featuring Static Major | Billboard The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  9. ^ Saxelby, Ruth (November 11, 2011). "Static Major: the forgotten genius behind Aaliyah's hits". Dummy. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  10. ^ "Lil Wayne Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  11. ^ Peak chart positions for guest appearances on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the United States:
  12. ^ "Lil Wayne Album & Song Chart History: Rap Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  13. ^ "Discography Lil Wayne". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 30, 2010. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  14. ^ "Lil Wayne Album & Song Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  15. ^ "Chartverfolgung / Lil Wayne / Single". musicline.de (in German). Media Control Charts. Archived from the original on January 10, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  16. ^ "Discography Lil Wayne". irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  17. ^ "Discography Lil Wayne". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  18. ^ "Lil Wayne (Charts)". hitparade.ch (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  19. ^ "Lil' Wayne Featuring Drake". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  20. ^ "Gold & Platinum: Lil Wayne". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  21. ^ "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". RadioScope. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2012.

External links[]

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