View source for Static Major

{{Short description|American singer and rapper (1974–2008)}}
{{redirect|Stephen Garrett|the British film and TV producer|Stephen Garrett (producer)}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Static Major
| image             = Static Major.jpg
| alias             = {{hlist|Static|Static/Major}}
| birth_name        = Stephen Ellis Garrett, Jr.
| birth_date        = {{birth date|1974|11|11|}}
| caption           = Static Major in 2001
| death_date        = {{death date and age|2008|2|25|1974|11|11|mf=yes}}
| death_place       = Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
| years_active      = 1990−2008
| birth_place       = [[Louisville, Kentucky]], U.S.
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]|[[Hip hop music|hip hop]]<ref name=rapbasement />}}
| occupation        = {{hlist|Record producer|singer|rapper|songwriter}}
| past_member_of    = {{hlist|[[Playa (band)|Playa]]|[[Swing Mob]]}}
| label             = {{hlist|[[Def Jam]]|[[Universal Records (1995−2006)|Universal]]|[[Blackground Records|Blackground]]}}
}}

'''Stephen Ellis Garrett Jr.''' (November 11, 1974 – February 25, 2008), known professionally as '''Static Major''' (and previously as '''Static'''), was an American [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] and [[Hip hop music|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 (Lil Wayne song)|Lollipop]]", which peaked atop the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and received [[RIAA certification|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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wdrb.com/wdrb-in-the-morning/popular-louisville-producer-and-songwriter-receives-long-overdue-lifetime-achievement/article_d91b3f7a-ae30-11ee-b027-33bc6d57de80.html|title=Popular Louisville Producer and Songwriter Receives Long Overdue Lifetime Achievement|date=January 8, 2024}}</ref>

Prior, he formed the R&B trio [[Playa (band)|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 (song)|Cheers 2 U]]", which entered the top 40 of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and preceded the release of their [[Cheers 2 U|sole studio album]] (1998). Garrett also worked in tandem with Swing Mob cohort [[Timbaland]] to co-write [[Ginuwine]]'s 1996 single "[[Pony (Ginuwine song)|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 (Aaliyah song)|Try Again]]" and the near-entirety of her [[Aaliyah (album)|self-titled third album]] (2001); the releases debuted atop the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], respectively.<ref name=rapbasement>{{cite web|url=http://www.rapbasement.com/news/david-banner/david-banner-speaks-on-static-major-death.html|title=David Banner Speaks On Static Major Death|date=February 26, 2008|publisher=Rapbasement.com|access-date=November 16, 2008}}</ref>

== Career ==
{{expand section|date=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 (Ginuwine song)|Pony]]" which became a major hit and a milestone in both Garrett and [[Timbaland]]'s careers.<ref name=cl>{{cite web|url=http://concreteloop.com/2008/02/stephen-static-garrett-1976-2008|date=February 26, 2008|title=» Stephen "Static/Major" Garrett – (1976–2008)|access-date=November 16, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108175005/http://concreteloop.com/2008/02/stephen-static-garrett-1976-2008|archive-date=January 8, 2009}}</ref> Garrett later became a member of the [[Def Jam]] group Playa, who were most known for their hit single "[[Cheers 2 U (song)|Cheers 2 U]]". Playa released an [[Cheers 2 U|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 (film)|''Dr. Dolittle'' soundtrack]], and the [[Romeo Must Die (soundtrack)|''Romeo Must Die'' soundtrack]] singles "[[Come Back in One Piece]]" and "[[Try Again (Aaliyah song)|Try Again]]" (her only [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] number-one single). The songs "[[More Than a Woman (Aaliyah song)|More than a Woman]]", "[[We Need a Resolution]]", "[[Rock the Boat (Aaliyah song)|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 (album)|Aaliyah]]''.<ref name=vibe /><ref name=cl />

In 2005, Garrett collaborated with R&B group [[Pretty Ricky]] on their song "Juicy".<ref name=vibe /> He was featured on [[Lil Wayne]]'s chart-topping 2008 song "[[Lollipop (Lil Wayne song)|Lollipop]]", which he co-wrote.<ref name=vibe>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2008/02/static_major_dies/ |magazine=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |title=Producer Static major, of Former R&B Group Playa, Dies |access-date=November 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080826070139/http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2008/02/static_major_dies/ |archive-date=August 26, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=New Music: Lil Wayne f/ Static – 'Lollipop'|url=https://www.rap-up.com/2008/03/11/new-music-lil-wayne-f-static-lollipop/|access-date=April 22, 2021|website=Rap-Up|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Lollipop by Lil Wayne Featuring Static Major {{!}} Billboard The Hot 100 Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2008-05-03?rank=1|access-date=April 22, 2021|magazine=Billboard|date = January 2, 2013}}</ref> The music video for "Lollipop" was dedicated to his memory.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2IH8tNQAzSs|title=Lil Wayne - Lollipop (Official Music Video) ft. Static|website=Youtube|date=June 16, 2009 |access-date=July 1, 2012}}</ref>

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 ==
Garrett died at age 33 at the Baptist Hospital East in [[Louisville, Kentucky]], on February 25, 2008, from complications of a medical procedure.<ref>{{cite web|title=Static Major: the forgotten genius behind Aaliyah's hits|url=https://www.dummymag.com/features/static-major-the-forgotten-genius/|first=Ruth|last=Saxelby|work=Dummy|access-date=April 12, 2021|date=November 11, 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=leoweekly |date=2009-03-19 |title=Static Major's doctor speaks |url=https://www.leoweekly.com/2009/03/staticmajors-doctor-speaks/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=LEO Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref> After his sudden death, Garrett's wife alleged [[Medical malpractice|medical negligence]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-03-12 |title=Static Major's Family Want Privacy Law Exception |url=https://www.contactmusic.com/news/static-majors-family-want-privacy-law-exception_1097601 |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Contactmusic.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=YoRapper |date=2008-03-16 |title=Lil Wayne's Producer/Singer Static Major Dead {{!}} Yorapper |url=https://www.yorapper.com/lil-waynes-producersinger-static-major-dead/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Posthumous releases ==
Garrett was featured posthumously on Drake's 2018 song "[[After Dark (Drake 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 (Aaliyah song)|Poison]]". The song featured [[The Weeknd]], who was credited as a co-writer alongside Garrett and [[Belly (rapper)|Belly]]. "Poison" contains vocals recorded by Aaliyah shortly before her [[2001 Marsh Harbour Cessna 402 crash|death]] in 2001. Garrett can be heard delivering background vocals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thatgrapejuice.net/2021/12/poison-new-aaliyah-song-featuring-the-weeknd-confirmed-drop-this-week/|title='Poison': New Aaliyah Song Featuring The Weeknd Confirmed to Drop This Week|website=That Grape Juice|date=December 14, 2021|access-date=December 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/aaliyahs-posthumous-song-with-the-weeknd-poison-coming-soon-report-news.144584.html|title=Aaliyah's Posthumous Song With The Weeknd "Poison" Coming Soon|last=Zidel|first=Alex|website=Hot New Hip Hop|date=December 14, 2021|access-date=December 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/aaliyah-and-the-weeknd-to-appear-on-new-collaborative-single-poison-3119944|title=Listen to Aaliyah and The Weeknd's collaborative new single, 'Poison'|website=NME|date=December 17, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/poison/1600120783?i=1600120796|title=Aaliyah & The Weeknd – Poison (single)|date=December 17, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021}}</ref>

== Discography ==
=== Singles ===
==== As a lead artist ====
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2" |Title
!rowspan="2"|Year
!Peak chart positions
!rowspan="2"|Album
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[R&B Songs|US<br />R&B]]
|-
! scope="row"| "Bus Stop Breezy"
| 2006
|—
| rowspan="4" |''Suppertime''
|-
! scope="row"| "Your Valentine"
| rowspan="3"|2007
|—
|-
! scope="row"| "I Got My"<br />{{Small|(featuring [[Lil Wayne]])}}
|98{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

|-
! scope="row"| "Till the Wheels Fall Off"<br />{{Small|(featuring [[Pretty Ricky]])}}
|—

|}

==== As a featured artist ====
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year
! scope="col" colspan="10" | Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;" | [[List of music recording certifications|Certifications]]
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album
|-
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Billboard Hot 100|US]]<br /><ref name="US1002">{{cite magazine|title=Lil Wayne Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=lil wayne|chart=Hot 100}}|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|access-date=May 13, 2012}}</ref>
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US<br />R&B/HH]]<br /><ref name="USR&B2">Peak chart positions for guest appearances on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the United States:
* "Crank It Up": {{cite magazine|title=David Banner Album & Song Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=david banner|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs}}|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|access-date=May 13, 2012}}
* "Lollipop": {{cite magazine|title=Lil Wayne Album & Song Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=lil wayne|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs}}|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|access-date=May 13, 2012}}</ref>
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Hot Rap Songs|US<br />Rap]]<br /><ref name="USRap2">{{cite magazine|title=Lil Wayne Album & Song Chart History: Rap Songs|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=lil wayne|chart=Rap Airplay}}|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|access-date=May 13, 2012}}</ref>
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref name="AUS">{{cite web|title=Discography Lil Wayne |url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Lil+Wayne |work=australian-charts.com |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=May 13, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030133907/http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Lil%20Wayne |archive-date=October 30, 2010 }}</ref>
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Canadian Hot 100|CAN]]<br /><ref name="CAN2">{{cite magazine|title=Lil Wayne Album & Song Chart History: Canadian Hot 100|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=lil wayne|chart=Billboard Canadian Hot 100}}|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|access-date=May 13, 2012}}</ref>
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Media Control Charts|GER]]<br /><ref name="GER">{{cite web|title=Chartverfolgung / Lil Wayne / Single|url=http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Lil+Wayne/14958/?type=single|work=musicline.de|publisher=[[Media Control Charts]]|access-date=May 13, 2012|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110132758/http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Lil+Wayne/14958/?type=single|archive-date=January 10, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Irish Singles Chart|IRE]]<br /><ref name="IRE">{{cite web|title=Discography Lil Wayne|url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Lil+Wayne|work=irish-charts.com|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=May 13, 2012}}</ref>
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand|NZ]]<br /><ref name="NZ">{{cite web|title=Discography Lil Wayne |url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Lil+Wayne |work=charts.nz |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=May 13, 2012 }}</ref>
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Swiss Music Charts|SWI]]<br /><ref name="SWI">{{cite web|title=Lil Wayne (Charts)|url=http://hitparade.ch/artist/Lil_Wayne|work=hitparade.ch|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=May 13, 2012|language=de}}</ref>
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br /><ref name="UK">{{cite web|title=Lil' Wayne Featuring Drake|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/lil%27%20wayne%20featuring%20drake/|publisher=[[The Official Charts Company]]|access-date=May 13, 2012}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|"Crank It Up"<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">([[David Banner]] featuring Static Major)</span>
| 2004
| — || 87 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|
| ''[[MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water]]''
|-
!scope="row"|"[[Lollipop (Lil Wayne song)|Lollipop]]"<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">([[Lil Wayne]] featuring Static Major)</span>
| 2008
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 32 || 10 || 22 || 28 || 3 || 39 || 26
|
* [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]: Diamond<ref name=RIAA>{{cite web|title=Gold & Platinum: Lil Wayne |url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Lil_Wayne&format=&go=Search&perPage=50 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201065348/http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Lil_Wayne&format=&go=Search&perPage=50 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |access-date=May 13, 2012 }}</ref>
* [[Recorded Music NZ|RMNZ]]: 2× Platinum<ref>{{cite certification|region=New Zealand|type=single|title=Lollipop|source=radioscope|access-date=2025-01-12}}</ref>
| ''[[Tha Carter III]]''
|-
! scope="row"| "After Dark"<br />{{Small|([[Drake (musician)|Drake]] featuring [[Ty Dolla Sign]] and Static Major)}}
|2018
|41
|28
|—
|63
|40
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"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.}}
|
* [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]: Gold<ref>{{cite certification|region=Australia|certyear=2024|type=single|access-date=18 June 2024}}</ref>
|''[[Scorpion (Drake album)|Scorpion]]''
|-
! scope="row"| "Luv Is Dro"<br />{{Small|([[Jack Harlow]] featuring [[Bryson Tiller]] and Static Major)}}
|2020
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|
* RMNZ: Gold<ref>{{cite certification|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist==Static Major|source=radioscope|access-date=2025-01-12}}</ref>
|''[[Thats What They All Say]]''
|-
|colspan="14" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
|}

==== Guest appearances ====
* 1994 Brand Nu ( with Da Bassment Crew)
* 1994 "Peepin My Style "( with Da Bassment Crew)
* 1994  Another Level (with Da Bassment Crew)
* 1994  True O.G. (with Da Bassment Crew)
* 1994 Sugah Thang  ( with Da Bassment Crew)
* 1994 Joy (with Da Bassment Crew)
* 1994 Dat Funk (  with Da Bassment Crew)
* 1994 Ain't Nothing But A B Party (wit Swing Mob)
* 1995 Nothing But A B Party ( Da Bassment Crew)
* 1995 "[[Gin & Juice (DeVante Swing song)|Gin & Juice]]" (with Da Bassment Crew)
* 1998 "What Cha Talkin' Bout" (with [[Timbaland & Magoo]]) on ''[[Tim's Bio: Life from da Bassment]]''
* 1998 "Put 'Em On" (with [[Timbaland & Magoo]] on ''[[Tim's Bio: Life from da Bassment]]''
* 2000 "[[Change the Game]]" (with [[Jay-Z]]) on ''[[The Dynasty: Roc La Familia]]''
* 2001 "Loose Rap" (with [[Aaliyah]]) on ''[[Aaliyah (album)|Aaliyah]]''
* 2001 "Indian Carpe" (with [[Timbaland & Magoo]]) on ''[[Indecent Proposal (album)|Indecent Proposal]]''
* 2001 "I Am Music" (with [[Timbaland & Magoo]]) on ''[[Indecent Proposal (album)|Indecent Proposal]]''
* 2004 "I Came to Bring the Pain" (with [[Lil' Flip]]) on ''[[U Gotta Feel Me]]''
* 2004 "Crank It Up" (with [[David Banner]]) on ''[[MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water]]''
* 2005 "Juicy" (with [[Pretty Ricky]]) on ''[[Bluestars (album)|Bluestars]]''
* 2007 "Good Weather Music (Never Thought)" (with [[Troy Hudson|T-Hud]]) on ''[[Undrafted (album)|Undrafted]]''
* 2008 "[[Lollipop (Lil Wayne song)|Lollipop]]" (with [[Lil Wayne]]) on ''[[Tha Carter III]]''
* 2009 "Gotta Get Me One" (with [[Twista]]) on ''[[Category F5]]''
* 2018 "After Dark" (with [[Drake (musician)|Drake]] and [[Ty Dolla Sign]]) on ''[[Scorpion (Drake album)|Scorpion]]''
* 2020 "Luv Is Dro" (with [[Jack Harlow]] and [[Bryson Tiller]]) on ''[[Thats What They All Say]]''
* 2021 "Body Rock" (with 5AM) on ''You're Going To Be Fine''
* 2023 "Nobody Else" (with [[EST Gee]]) on ''El Toro 2''

== Notes ==
{{notelist-ua}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100529000427/http://www.staticmajorismusic.com/ Static Major official website]
*[https://www.myspace.com/demplayaboys/ Playa official website]
*[http://www.dubcnn.com/blogs/haywire/#may2008 Static Major — Lollipop: A Hard to Swallow Reality on Dubcnn]
*{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p290572}}
*[http://leoweekly.com/news/static-star Static star – Louisville's Alt-Weekly – LEO Weekly]

{{Static Major}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Static Major
|list =
{{BET Award for Viewer's Choice}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Rap Song}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video}}
{{IFPI Global Year-End}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:2008 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male singers]]
[[Category:African-American male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:African-American record producers]]
[[Category:American contemporary R&B singers]]
[[Category:American hip-hop record producers]]
[[Category:American hip-hop singers]]
[[Category:Def Jam Recordings artists]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners for rap music]]
[[Category:MTV Video Music Award winners]]
[[Category:Singers from Louisville, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Record producers from Kentucky]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from Kentucky]]
[[Category:Southern hip-hop musicians]]
[[Category:Swing Mob artists]]