Static Major - Wikipedia

American singer and rapper (1974–2008) "Stephen Garrett" redirects here. For the British film and TV producer, see Stephen Garrett (producer).

Static Major
Static Major in 2001
Background information
Also known as	Static Static/Major
Born	Stephen Ellis Garrett, Jr.(1974-11-11)November 11, 1974Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	February 25, 2008(2008-02-25) (aged 33)Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Genres	R&B hip hop[1]
Occupations	Record producer singer rapper songwriter
Years active	1990−2008
Labels	Def Jam Universal Blackground
Formerly of	Playa Swing Mob

Musical artist

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, Virginia-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

[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2024)

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 in harmony. My whole aura is not your typical R&B aura."

Death

[edit]

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]

Posthumous releases

[edit]

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

[edit]

Singles

[edit]

As a lead artist

[edit]

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		USR&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)		—

As a featured artist

[edit] List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name

Title	Year	Peak chart positions										Certifications	Album
		US[16]	USR&B/HH[17]	USRap[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	RIAA: Diamond[26] RMNZ: 2× Platinum[27]	Tha Carter III
"After Dark"(Drake featuring Ty Dolla Sign and Static Major)	2018	41	28	—	63	40	—	—	—	—	—[A]	ARIA: Gold[28]	Scorpion
"Luv Is Dro"(Jack Harlow featuring Bryson Tiller and Static Major)	2020	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	RMNZ: Gold[29]	Thats What They All Say
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

[edit]

• 1995 "Gin & Juice" (with Da Bassment Crew)
• 1998 "What Cha Talkin' Bout"; "Put 'Em On" (with Timbaland & Magoo) on Tim's Bio: Life from da Bassment
• 1999 "Say My Name (Timbaland Remix)" (with Destiny's Child) on Turn It Up: The Remix Collection[30]
• 2000 "Change the Game" (with Jay-Z) on The Dynasty: Roc La Familia
• 2001 "Loose Rap" (with Aaliyah) on Aaliyah
• 2001 "Indian Carpet"; "People Like Myself"; "I Am Music" (with Timbaland & Magoo) on Indecent Proposal
• 2004 "I Came to Bring the Pain" (with Lil' Flip) on U Gotta Feel Me
• 2005 "Juicy" (with Pretty Ricky) on Bluestars
• 2007 "Good Weather Music (Never Thought)" (with T-Hud) on Undrafted
• 2009 "Gotta Get Me One" (with Twista) on Category F5
• 2021 "Body Rock" (with 5AM) on You're Going To Be Fine
• 2023 "Nobody Else" (with EST Gee) on El Toro 2

Notes

[edit]

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

[edit]

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:
    • "Crank It Up": "David Banner Album & Song Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
    • "Lollipop": "Lil Wayne Album & Song Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
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. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Lollipop". Radioscope. Retrieved January 12, 2025. Type Lollipop in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
28. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
29. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – =Static Major". Radioscope. Retrieved January 12, 2025. Type =Static Major in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
30. ^ "genius".

External links

[edit]

• Static Major official website
• Playa official website
• Static Major — Lollipop: A Hard to Swallow Reality on Dubcnn
• Static Major at AllMusic
• Static star – Louisville's Alt-Weekly – LEO Weekly

v t e Static Major
Featured singles	"Change the Game" "Lollipop"
Related articles	Discography Playa

Awards for Static Major

v t e BET Award for Viewer's Choice Award 2000s "Bow Wow (That's My Name)" – Bow Wow (2001) "Uh Huh" – B2K (2002) "Bump, Bump, Bump" – B2K featuring P. Diddy (2003) "Yeah!" – Usher featuring Lil' Jon and Ludacris (2004) "O" – Omarion (2005) "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" – Chris Brown (2006) "Stuntin' Like My Daddy" – Birdman and Lil Wayne (2007) "Lollipop" – Lil Wayne featuring Static Major (2008) "Live Your Life" – T.I. featuring Rihanna (2009) 2010s "Hard" – Rihanna featuring Young Jeezy (2010) "Look at Me Now" – Chris Brown featuring Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne (2011) "Hello" – Mindless Behavior (2012) "Started from the Bottom" – Drake (2013) "I Luv This Shit" – August Alsina featuring Trinidad James (2014) "Only" – Nicki Minaj featuring Drake, Lil Wayne, and Chris Brown (2015) "Formation" – Beyoncé (2016) "Sorry" – Beyoncé (2017) "Bodak Yellow" – Cardi B (2018) "Trip" – Ella Mai (2019) 2020s "Hot Girl Summer" – Megan Thee Stallion featuring Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla Sign (2020) "Savage (remix)" – Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé (2021) No Award (2022) "Break My Soul" – Beyoncé (2023) "Texas Hold 'Em" – Beyoncé (2024) "Residuals" – Chris Brown (2025) v t e Grammy Award for Best Rap Song 2000s "Lose Yourself" – Jeff Bass, Eminem & Luis Resto (songwriters) (2004) "Jesus Walks" – Miri Ben-Ari, Che Smith & Kanye West (songwriters) (2005) "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" – Devon Harris & Kanye West (songwriters) (2006) "Money Maker" – Ludacris and Pharrell Williams (songwriters) (2007) "Good Life – Aldrin Davis, Faheem Najm & Kanye West (songwriters) (2008) "Lollipop" – Dwayne Carter, Stephen Garrett, Darius Harrison, Jim Jonsin & Rex Zamor (songwriters) (2009) 2010s "Run This Town" – Shawn Carter, Robyn Fenty, Makeba Riddick, Kanye West & Ernest Wilson (songwriters) (2010) "Empire State of Mind" – Shawn Carter, Angela Hunte, Alicia Keys, Jane't "Jnay" Sewell-Ulepic & Alexander Shuckburgh (songwriters) (2011) "All of the Lights" – Jeff Bhasker, Stacy Ferguson, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter & Kanye West (songwriters) (2012) "Niggas in Paris" – Shawn Carter, Mike Dean, Chauncey Hollis & Kanye West (songwriters) (2013) "Thrift Shop" – Ben Haggerty & Ryan Lewis (songwriters) (2014) "I" – Kendrick Duckworth, Columbus Smith & Ronald Isley (songwriters) (2015) "Alright" – Kendrick Duckworth, Kawan Prather, Mark Spears & Pharrell Williams (songwriters) (2016) "Hotline Bling" – Aubrey Graham & Paul Jefferies (songwriters) (2017) "Humble" – Kendrick Duckworth, Asheton Hogan & Michael Williams II (songwriters) (2018) "God's Plan" – Aubrey Graham, Ronald LaTour, Daveon Jackson, Brock Korsan, Matthew Samuels & Noah Shebib (songwriters) (2019) 2020s "A Lot" – Jermaine Cole, Dacoury Natche, 21 Savage & Anthony White (songwriters) (2020) "Savage" – Beyoncé, Shawn Carter, Brittany Hazzard, Derrick Milano, Terius Nash, Megan Pete, Bobby Sessions Jr., Jordan Kyle Lanier Thorpe & Anthony White (songwriters) (2021) "Jail" – Dwayne Abernathy, Jr., Shawn Carter, Raul Cubina, Michael Dean, Charles M. Njapa, Sean Solymar, Kanye West & Mark Williams (songwriters) (2022) "The Heart Part 5" – Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Duckworth & Matt Schaeffer (songwriters) (2023) "Scientists & Engineers" – Andre Benjamin, Paul Beauregard, James Blake, Michael Render, Tim Moore & Dion Wilson (songwriters) (2024) "Not Like Us" – Kendrick Duckworth (songwriter) (2025) v t e MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video 1990s Beastie Boys– "Intergalactic" (1999) 2000s Sisqó – "Thong Song" (2000) Outkast – "Ms. Jackson" (2001) Jennifer Lopez featuring Ja Rule – "I'm Real (Murder Remix)" (2002) Missy Elliott – "Work It" (2003) Outkast – "Hey Ya!" (2004) Missy Elliott featuring Ciara and Fatman Scoop – "Lose Control" (2005) The Black Eyed Peas – "My Humps" (2006) No Award (2007) Lil Wayne featuring Static Major – "Lollipop" (2008) Eminem – "We Made You" (2009) 2010s Eminem – "Not Afraid" (2010) Nicki Minaj – "Super Bass" (2011) Drake featuring Lil Wayne – "HYFR" (2012) Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton – "Can't Hold Us" (2013) Drake featuring Majid Jordan– "Hold On, We're Going Home" (2014) Nicki Minaj – "Anaconda" (2015) Drake – "Hotline Bling" (2016) Kendrick Lamar – "Humble" (2017) Nicki Minaj – "Chun-Li" (2018) Cardi B – "Money" (2019) 2020s Megan Thee Stallion – "Savage" (2020) Travis Scott featuring Young Thug and M.I.A. – "Franchise" (2021) Nicki Minaj featuring Lil Baby – "Do We Have a Problem?" (2022) Nicki Minaj – "Super Freaky Girl" (2023) Eminem – "Houdini" (2024) Doechii – "Anxiety" (2025) v t e IFPI Global Year-End Charts Artist of the Year One Direction (2013) Taylor Swift (2014) Adele (2015) Drake (2016) Ed Sheeran (2017) Drake (2018) Taylor Swift (2019) BTS (2020–2021) Taylor Swift (2022–2024) Album of the Year Hybrid Theory – Linkin Park (2001) The Eminem Show – Eminem (2002) Come Away with Me – Norah Jones (2003) Confessions – Usher (2004) X&Y – Coldplay (2005) High School Musical – Various Artists (2006) High School Musical 2 – Various Artists (2007) Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends – Coldplay (2008) I Dreamed a Dream – Susan Boyle (2009) Recovery – Eminem (2010) 21 – Adele (2011) 21 – Adele (2012) Midnight Memories – One Direction (2013) Frozen – Various Artists (2014) 25 – Adele (2015) Lemonade – Beyoncé (2016) ÷ – Ed Sheeran (2017) The Greatest Showman – Various Artists (2018) 5x20 All the Best!! 1999–2019 – Arashi (2019) Map of the Soul: 7 – BTS (2020) 30 – Adele (2021) Un Verano Sin Ti – Bad Bunny (2022) FML – Seventeen (2023) The Tortured Poets Department – Taylor Swift (2024) Single of the Year "Girlfriend" – Avril Lavigne (2007) "Lollipop" – Lil Wayne featuring Static Major (2008) "Poker Face" – Lady Gaga (2009) "Tik Tok" – Kesha (2010) "Just the Way You Are" – Bruno Mars (2011) "Call Me Maybe" – Carly Rae Jepsen (2012) "Blurred Lines" – Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell (2013) "Happy" – Pharrell Williams (2014) "See You Again" – Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth (2015) "One Dance" – Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla (2016) "Shape of You" – Ed Sheeran (2017) "Havana" – Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug (2018) "Bad Guy" – Billie Eilish (2019) "Blinding Lights" – the Weeknd (2020) "Save Your Tears" – the Weeknd (2021) "As It Was" – Harry Styles (2022) "Flowers" – Miley Cyrus (2023) "Beautiful Things" – Benson Boone (2024)

Authority control databases
International	ISNI VIAF 2 GND WorldCat
National	United States
Artists	MusicBrainz Grammy Awards
People	Deutsche Biographie