Music writer/artist/producer Stephen “Static/Major” Garrett died unexpectedly on Monday in his hometown of Louisville, Ky. I have yet to find any official reports about his death, but I have received numerous emails, not to mention, many people are leaving their condolences on his myspace page. This is a major loss for the music industry.
Many of you may not know Static by face, but you definitely know his music. He was signed to the Blackground record label where he found his first breakthrough working with R&B singer Ginuwine. The single “Pony” became a major hit and a milestone in the careers of both Static and Timbaland. He then went on to produce Aaliyah’s “Are You That Somebody?” featured on the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack. Not to mention he produced many tracks for Aaliyah’s self-titled final album. Many of you may also remember him as part of the R&B trio, Playa, who were signed to the Def Jam record label at one point during their career. In recent months he was working on his new album, SUPPERTIME, which was slated to drop this year.
He also worked with artists: Tank, Destiny’s Child, Brandy, JoJo, Jay-Z, and Diddy, just to name a few. Make sure to view the Playa video from “Cheers 2 U” after the cut. He also made a cameo in the “Are You That Somebody?” video as well.
We would like to give our condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.
PLAYA – CHEERS 2 U
I heard it was because of a brain aneurysm. This is such a loss.
i love some these songs r.i.p to him my prayers to the family!
Wow, I guess everyone has to go sometime. My condolences,death is never easy, esp when the person is so young.
I always wondered what happened to Playa. I loved their music. That’s sad we’re losing so many talented people so early. I hope it wasn’t drug induced. My condolensces to friends and family.
OMG!!!!!!!!!!! This is soooooooo sad. Condolences to his family
R.I.P I love his music… I’ve been listening to playa alot lately, he had true talent. My prays go out to his family and friends.
My condolences go out to the family of Stephen. He will be missed.
RIP… his music will live on forever
What?! Omg…why!??? I loved what he did for Aaliyah on her final album. This is sad.
RIP Static.
Static was a very talented producer and musician. R.I.P. Static! Your music lives on FOREVER!
They both died on the 25th….
Too krazy sumone set them up
yo he was sooooooooo talented… im like speechless… i dont even know what to say! like…
may God be with his family…
im just soooo floored…
sooooo talented!
I didn’t know he was from Louisville. My heart goes out to his family.
R.I.P, i was hoping it wasn’t true but they announced it on the radio a hour ago, smh, a brain aneurysm, seems like more and more young people are dying from it, i wonder what causes it.
AWWW HOW SAD!!! I KNEW OF HIM THROUGH THE SONGS HE MADE WITH AALIYAH! R.I.P STATIC!
I Loved that song back in the day, it’s a classic!! I always wondered what happened to them..Neways, I think I remember seeing the lightskinned dude on a youtube video, sigin’ w/some White boys.
OMG!…
So sad.
R.I.P.
omg! i was just listening to him and Aaliyah on “Loose Rap”
r.i.p
WHAT????????????????????????
He’s dead OMG!!!!
I loved the work he did with Aaliyah that’s how i know of him i loved him on her song Loose Rap, im so shocked. Oh wow that’s really sad
May he rest in peace with Aaliyah
R.I.P
I definately remember him. My brother bought Playa’s album, and I remember the work he did on Aaliyah’s albums. Is he related to Sean Garrett at all? Nonetheless, may he rest in peace.
OMG!!!
R.I.P to him, my condolences goes out to his family, close friends and fans!
My prayers goes out to his family. I was just playing the album the other day and wondering what had happened to them. Somehow it was his time and I hope he is at peace. He will be missed and so will his music. Tragic loss but never forgotten.
Wow…terrible…I’ve still not gotten over Aaliyah’s death…what a waste of beauty and talent…
Oh wow, I met him back in the day. That is very sad to hear. I will keep his family in my prayers.
R.I.P. . . . people take care of yourselves and enjoy life.
wow. i can’t believe it. that’s crazy…
[sigh.]
lost of another talented man.
my condolences…
I agree with #24. I found it very painful, even after all these years, to watch Aaliyah’s video. It just seems impossible that such a vibrant, lovely soul is no longer with us.
Regarding this most recent tragedy, my thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by this young man’s passing.
Both Static and Aaliyah were way ahead of their time. The material he contributed to Aaliyah’s final album still trumps the majority of R&B music out today, and 7 years later, it still sounds timeless. Static, thank you for blessing us with your great contribution to music. RIP.
My heart goes out to his family, and especially Playa, Timbaland, Missy, Ginuwine, and the rest of their crew. First they lost Aaliyah, and now this? Such a shame. RIP.
Wow thats too bad. I remember him and “Cheers 2 U” was my shit when I was younger. R.I.P. Static.
seems like yesterday yall were in virginia with Larry may god bless the family you were such a talent a friend someone I looked up to on a creative level you will be missed by the whole crew but never forgotten!!! CHEERS 2 U!!
OMG!!!
R.I.P. Static!!!! one of my favourite song writers…
Another Angel fly’s away…will be missed!!!
RIP STATIC…GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
my thoughts are with the family…
A great talent has been lost! RIP Garrett..the lord loves u!!!!!
My condolences to your family & friends @ this difficult time.
xxxx
R.I.P. This just goes to show, we never know when it will be our time. Live each day like its your last. Don’t hold grudges, because life is too short for that type of stupidity. Most importantly, make sure you say “I love you”to the ones you care about as often as you can because in an instant they can be gone. My prayers and condolences go out to Stephen Garrett’s family. He was a truly asset in the music industry and will be missed.
MAY U R.I.P. YOU AND AALIYAH CAN NOW HAVE A GOOD TIME 2GETHER (IM PRETTY SURE SHE IS HAPPY 2 C YOU)! YOU WILL BE MISSED BY MANY!!!
OMG!! I’m in shock!! I can’t believe he’s dead!! It still play the ‘Cheers 2 U’ ALBUM out to this day!!! He was a truly handsome and gifted singer and songwriter. I still CAN’T believe this!! WOW!!!
May God give his family the heart to bear the loss. This is sad man!
What a sad and premature loss. His visionary and talent will truly be missed. R.I.P
Wow, rest in peace.
Rest In Peace Static/Major
I remember his work with Aaliyah –
So young and talented. Prayers that his family and friends will endure this darkness.
Rest in Paradise.
oh no! i always had a crush on him,god bless his family
Oh my god what a sad loss, I was listening Jodeci the show the afterparty the hotel yesterday and was remembering ‘da bassment’ days with him, devante,timbo and all of them…My thoughts and condolences to the family…x
My heart just dropped.I was just talking about him to a friend the other day.He had a distinctive voice.Damn.I def was a Static fan (his writing and singing style)
RIP
Rest in Peace.
May God comfort your love ones.
Is it offensive to tell the descendant’s relatives the following:? “I will miss him he was so cool and so fine.” I asked because my friend’s brother died 3 years ago from a seizure, and i told his family that a few months after his death, and they all looked at me like WTF?…i was just wondering what i said wrong, and my mother said it’s inappropriate to talk about a person’s looks after death, and that it’s just not something people want to hear, but i didn’t know that was off limits.
I was going to say the same thing about Static, but this experience stopped me, so i’ll just say RIP and he’ll be missed.
Geez, I love Playa’s album. I’m sorry for the loss.
Oh and he was in David Banners song and video “Crank it Up”.
R.I.P. I had wrote him on myspace, and he had gave me some pointers about song writing, he was a real dude.
Noooooooooooooo! I didn’t know that super producer Steve Garrett was Static form Playa! I LOVE Cheers 2 U and the other hits he wrote.
This is truly a loss. RIP Steve.
Condolence to his family and friends. RIP
i remember him and the rest of Playa being in a few Aaliyah/Missy videos
omg all the joints he produced were crazy i can’t believe it r.i.p and my deepest condolences to his family and friends.
R.I.P. to him and prayers to his family.
I loved all the songs listed Cheers 2 U is my song.
This is so sad…myself and my friend use to always talk about how talented Static was and that he demonstrated that you could be hughely successful and talented and remain in the background…
Thoughts and prayers go out to his family….
I never remember seeing his face, but I know he did the bulk of Aalyah’s last album, which is one of my favorite albums. Very sad, R.I.P.
WOOOOW!
SAD TO HEAR!
R.I.P. STATIC!!!!
R.I.P. AALIYAH!!!!
Wow…………..RIP to a very talented,gifted, handsome young man.
Such a shame when a young life passes like this,and it’s been happening so much lately,prayers to his family and friends.