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Static Major

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

Static Major
Static Major in 2001
Static Major in 2001
Background information
Birth nameStephen Ellis Garrett, Jr.
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
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • singer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
Years active1990−2008
Labels
Formerly of

Stephen Ellis Garrett Jr. (November 11, 1974 – February 25, 2008), known professionally as Static Major (and previously as Static), was an American R&B and hip hop producer, singer, rapper, and songwriter from Louisville, Kentucky. He is best known for his posthumous guest appearance on Lil Wayne's 2008 single "Lollipop", which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100 and received diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song and its music video were both released in memory of his death in February of that year.[2]

Prior, he formed the R&B trio Playa in 1990, which were part of the larger DMV-based musical collective Swing Mob, led by DeVanté Swing. The former group signed with Def Jam Recordings and became best known for their 1998 single "Cheers 2 U", which entered the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and preceded the release of their sole studio album (1998). Garrett also worked in tandem with Swing Mob cohort Timbaland to co-write Ginuwine's 1996 single "Pony" and Aaliyah's 1998 single "Are You That Somebody?", both of which saw further success at numbers six and 21 on the chart, respectively. This served as a catalyst for Garrett to continue songwriting for other artists, most extensively for the latter; this resulted in credits for her 2000 single "Try Again" and the near-entirety of her self-titled third album (2001); the releases debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200, respectively.[1]

Career

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Garrett started his producing career when he joined DeVante Swing's Swing Mob. He made a breakthrough working with R&B singer Ginuwine, writing and co-producing the 1996 song "Pony" which became a major hit and a milestone in both Garrett and Timbaland's careers.[3] Garrett 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, Garrett assisted in producing songs for Nicole Wray for her 1998 debut album, Make It Hot. He would eventually become the lead songwriter for Aaliyah. His songwriting collaborations with Aaliyah include: "Are You That Somebody?", which was featured on the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack, and the Romeo Must Die soundtrack singles "Come Back in One Piece" and "Try Again" (her only Billboard Hot 100 number-one single). 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.[4][3]

In 2005, Garrett collaborated with R&B group Pretty Ricky on their song "Juicy".[4] He was featured on Lil Wayne's chart-topping 2008 song "Lollipop", which he co-wrote.[4][5][6] The music video for "Lollipop" was dedicated to his memory.[7]

Garrett once reflected on where his inspiration came from, saying "I stay in the streets, that's where I draw my 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."

Death

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Garrett died at age 33 at the Baptist Hospital East in Louisville, Kentucky, on February 25, 2008, from complications of a medical procedure.[8] Earlier that day, Garrett had felt extremely sick and went back to his hometown to seek medical attention. According to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office, he went into respiratory arrest and bled to death after the removal of a catheter that was improperly inserted into his neck.[9] After his sudden death, Garrett's wife alleged medical negligence,[10][11] though it is unknown whether this was the case.

Posthumous releases

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Garrett was featured posthumously on Drake's 2018 song "After Dark", which peaked at number 41 on the Hot 100.

In 2020, Garrett was featured alongside Bryson Tiller on Jack Harlow's "Luv Is Dro", from his debut album Thats What They All Say. The track is largely a reworking of Static's own song "Love Is Dro", which had been previously released in 2018.

On December 17, 2021, a new posthumous single from Aaliyah was released, titled "Poison". The song featured The Weeknd, who was credited as a co-writer alongside Garrett and Belly. "Poison" contains vocals recorded by Aaliyah shortly before her death in 2001. Garrett can be heard delivering background vocals.[12][13][14][15]

Discography

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Singles

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As a lead artist

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
R&B
"Bus Stop Breezy" 2006 — Suppertime
"Your Valentine" 2007 —
"I Got My"
(featuring Lil Wayne) 		98[citation needed]
"Till the Wheels Fall Off"
(featuring Pretty Ricky) 		—
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List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[16] 		US
R&B/HH
[17] 		US
Rap
[18] 		AUS
[19] 		CAN
[20] 		GER
[21] 		IRE
[22] 		NZ
[23] 		SWI
[24] 		UK
[25]
"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 — — — — —[A] Scorpion
"Luv Is Dro"
(Jack Harlow featuring Bryson Tiller and Static Major) 		2020 — — — — — — — — — — Thats What They All Say
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

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Notes

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  1. ^ "After Dark" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, as chart rules only allow three songs per artist to chart within the top 100 at a time, but peaked at number 37 on the UK Streaming Chart.

References

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  1. ^ a b "David Banner Speaks On Static Major Death". Rapbasement.com. February 26, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
  2. ^ "Popular Louisville Producer and Songwriter Receives Long Overdue Lifetime Achievement". January 8, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "» Stephen "Static/Major" Garrett – (1976–2008)". February 26, 2008. Archived from the original on January 8, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "New Music: Lil Wayne f/ Static – 'Lollipop'". Rap-Up. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  6. ^ "Lollipop by Lil Wayne Featuring Static Major | Billboard The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  7. ^ "Lil Wayne - Lollipop (Official Music Video) ft. Static". Youtube. June 16, 2009. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  8. ^ Saxelby, Ruth (November 11, 2011). "Static Major: the forgotten genius behind Aaliyah's hits". Dummy. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  9. ^ leoweekly (March 19, 2009). "Static Major's doctor speaks". LEO Weekly. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  10. ^ "Static Major's Family Want Privacy Law Exception". Contactmusic.com. March 12, 2009. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  11. ^ YoRapper (March 16, 2008). "Lil Wayne's Producer/Singer Static Major Dead | Yorapper". Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  12. ^ "'Poison': New Aaliyah Song Featuring The Weeknd Confirmed to Drop This Week". That Grape Juice. December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  13. ^ Zidel, Alex (December 14, 2021). "Aaliyah's Posthumous Song With The Weeknd "Poison" Coming Soon". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  14. ^ "Listen to Aaliyah and The Weeknd's collaborative new single, 'Poison'". NME. December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  15. ^ "Aaliyah & The Weeknd – Poison (single)". December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  16. ^ "Lil Wayne Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  17. ^ Peak chart positions for guest appearances on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the United States:
  18. ^ "Lil Wayne Album & Song Chart History: Rap Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  19. ^ "Discography Lil Wayne". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 30, 2010. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  20. ^ "Lil Wayne Album & Song Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  21. ^ "Chartverfolgung / Lil Wayne / Single". musicline.de (in German). Media Control Charts. Archived from the original on January 10, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  22. ^ "Discography Lil Wayne". irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  23. ^ "Discography Lil Wayne". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  24. ^ "Lil Wayne (Charts)". hitparade.ch (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  25. ^ "Lil' Wayne Featuring Drake". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  26. ^ "Gold & Platinum: Lil Wayne". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  27. ^ "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". RadioScope. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  28. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
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