R.I.P. - Steve "Static Major" Garrett

Steve "Static Major" Garrett died this week of unknown causes. For those who do not know, Stephen Ellis Garrett was born and raised in Louisville in a family of musicians. Growing up, he sang in the choir at his church, where his sister played piano, his mother was the musical director, and his father was the pastor.
As a member of Playa, Static began his musical career under the tutulage of Jodeci's DeVante Swing, and formed kinships with fellow members of DeVante's Swing Mob such as Missy Elliott, Timbaland, and Ginuwine. After the Swing Mob members parted company with DeVante, Static and the rest of Playa worked extensively as songwriters, co-producers, and background singers for their colleagues. Static was one of Ginuwine's main songwriters, penning the lyrics to Timbaland-produced Ginuwine hits such as "Pony", "What's So Different", and "So Anxious".
Static also wrote much of Playa's material when the group signed with Def Jam Records in the mid-1990s, including Playa's 1998 hit single "Cheers 2 U" from the album of the same name. Also in 1998, Static wrote the lyrics for Aaliyah's hit single "Are You That Somebody". Following the success of "Are You That Somebody", Static became Aaliyah's main lyricist, and wrote many singles and album tracks for the singer. Static's writing credits for Aaliyah included "Come Back in One Piece", "We Need a Resolution", "Rock the Boat", "More Than a Woman", and the number-one single "Try Again" from the 2000 film Romeo Must Die. During this period, Static also wrote for Nicole Wray ("Eyes Better Not Wander") and Destiny's Child ("Say My Name (Timbaland's Remix)") as well.
Aaliyah died in a plane crash in 2001, and Static went on to write for other artists; his later co-wriitng credits included Truth Hurts' "Addictive" and Brandy's "Come as You Are". Aside from his longtime association with Timbaland, Static also collaborated with producers Scott Storch, Dr. Dre, and Jazze Pha. In the mid-2000s, Static worked with R&B group Pretty Ricky, R&B singer Tank, and appeared on David Banner's 2004 single "Crank It Up".

Static later signed to Blackground Records, label home of Aaliyah and Tank, as a solo artist. He died on February 25, 2008 in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. The cause of death is currently pending, however it is due to complications during surgery at Baptist East hospital.

As a lover of goob music, I will miss Static. His impact on R&B music will be felt for years to come.

Static's Resume:

1996: "Pony" for Ginuwine
1997: "I Need To Be"-Mase featuring Monifah
1997: "Luv 2 Luv U (Remix)"-Timbaland & Magoo featuring Aaliyah and Missy Elliott
1997: "Luv 2 Luv U (Original Version)-Timbaland & Magoo
1997: "Smoke In Da Air"-Timbaland & Magoo featuring Playa
1998: "Intro (Interlude)-Playa Album
1998: "All The Way"-Playa
1998: "Don't Stop The Music-Playa
1998: "Derby City/Interlude"-Playa
1998: "Together"-Playa
1998: "Top of the World"-Playa
1998: "I'll B 2 C U"-Playa
1998: "Push"-Playa
1998: "Cheers 2 U" for Playa
1998: "Are You That Somebody?" for Aaliyah
1998: "Same Ol' G"-Ginuwine
1999: "Eyes Better Not Wander" for Nicole Wray
1999: "So Anxious"-Ginuwine
1999: "Final Warning/Interlude"-Ginuwine featuring Aaliyah and Static
1999: "No. 1 Fan"-Ginuwine
2000: "Say My Name (Timbaland's Remix)" for Destiny's Child
2000: "Try Again" for Aaliyah
2000: "Come Back In One Piece" for Aaliyah (featuring DMX)
2000: "We At It Again"-Timbaland & Magoo featuring Static
2000: "Simply Irresistible"-Ginuwine
2001: "We Need a Resolution" for Aaliyah
2001: "More Than a Woman" for Aaliyah
2001: "Rock The Boat"-Aaliyah
2001: "Loose Rap"-Aaliyah
2001: "Never No More"-Aaliyah
2001: "Extra Smooth"-Aaliyah
2001: "Read Between The Lines"-Aaliyah
2001: "I Refuse"-Aaliyah
2001: "It's Whatever"-Aaliyah
2001: "I Am Music"-Timbaland featuring Aaliyah and Static
2002: "Addictive" for Truth Hurts
2002: "Don't Know What to Tell Ya" for Aaliyah
2002: "Erica Kane" for Aaliyah
2004: "Come as You Are" for Brandy
2005: "Juicy" for Pretty Ricky
2006: "Tell Me" for Diddy (featuring Christina Aguilera)
2007: "On the Hotline" for Pretty Ricky
2007: "Late Night Special"-Pretty Ricky
2007: "Leave It All Up To Me"-Pretty Ricky
2007: "Peer Pressure"-Pretty Ricky
2007: "Make It Like It Was"-Pretty Ricky