December 2011

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We had an opportunity to speak with DeVante Swing as we celebrate the life of songwriter/producer Stephen "Static Major" Garrett. Static along with his group Playa were originally discovered by him. Others who were discovered by DeVante would include Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Ginuwine and Tweet. Garrett died in Feb 2008.

Swing reflected on what it was like working with Static and shared some memories he had of him.

Tell us your first memory of meeting Static and his group Playa?

Oh man, I’m going to have to take it back! I met Static in Louisville where he’s from. Jodeci went on a tour and Static’s group came backstage and sung for me. I liked them ever since then. I went to New Jersey after and they called me every day until I eventually got them in Jersey. I had Missy and everyone else there. As far as Static, we used to talk on the phone all the time with his group and they used to sing for me.

What type of potential did you see in Static from the start? He was singing and also rapping.

Well, Static just had that certain swag with him. You can always tell when somebody has it. He had the “It Factor”. His swag was on point and he was witty with his words.

He didn’t start off rapping, I told him to start rapping. People that were around Static felt the energy from him. He just had all kind of talent. He could whistle ad-libs. People sing riffs like Whitney, he could whistle riffs. A lot of people can’t do, it’s hard to do. A lot of people can sing, but they can’t whistle. Anything he did, he put little things into it.

We noticed you and Static were featured in songs and videos. What were your plans for Static?

We were like Batman and Robin. He held me down. Whenever I went anywhere I would take Static with me because he was my man. We just vibed off each other. With music and whatever else, Static was a singer and I was a player, so it just made sense.

What was like a day in the life of Static in Da Bassment?

Everybody had their little area, but Static had an overall responsibility to write and make others as hot in the camp. I had main writers in the camp.

It was Static, Missy and me. Static’s main thing was if I needed a slick line, I would get Static because that was his department. You know if you wanted something hot, you would go to Missy or Static. He came to be an artist and then he learned how to write from being around it. He always had his own thing that made him stick out. I just kind of rounded up the sharp edges and smoothed it out.

Is there a specific memory that sticks out with Static?

I got millions of memories with Static. There’s so many. I’d have to sit for hours and think about the best one to tell you. They’re all good memories. It was like family. It was like with a brother or a sister, there are so many good memories.

A lot of people only know Static, but you were able to know Stephen Garrett. What can you tell us about him as a person?

Stephen Garrett was a nice, bright person. He was a real person. You don’t meet too many real people and at the same time, he was a good friend.

What is your favorite song that Static wrote?

“Try Again”. The one he wrote for Aaliyah. That song is a timeless song. I like “So Anxious” too. It was hot. I like a lot of songs he wrote for Ginuwine. Static got hits after hits!

What would you like to see done to carry on Static’s legacy?

For people who have been in this game and contributed something that’s not here anymore, they have award shows. Maybe they should have something like that, so we don’t forget people like him. There’s a lot of people that have come and gone, but he was one of the special few people. People should recognize all that he’s done.

[Edited 12/31/11 4:44am]

hmm. Never heard of him

You've never heard of Jodeci's DeVante Swing? Zonks!

Devante looks nothing like his old self.

MadamGoodnight said:

Devante looks nothing like his old self.

Rick James said it best.

Anyway, Static was real talented. RIP

Timmy84 said:

MadamGoodnight said:

Devante looks nothing like his old self.

Rick James said it best.

Anyway, Static was real talented. RIP

True, and R.I.P. to Static Major.

DEVANTE GOT SOME LONG ASS FINGERS!

No, never heard of static major

Static wrote 3/4 of Aaliyah's musical career, he's all over the Timbaland/Missy clique, Ginuwine's Bachelor album was technically his debut project.

He was also part of this group,,,,

[img:$uid]http://images.uulyrics.com/cover/p/playa/album-cheers-2-u.jpg[/img:$uid]

He was def one of the most promising lyricists in R&B, his death was a great loss.

MadamGoodnight said:

Devante looks nothing like his old self.

I personally don't see a disturbing difference and it's a pic from a distance where he's wearing a cap + glasses.

His weight still seems the same and there's the gap of a few years that he wasn't that much in the media. Everyone changes a bit when they grow older, but again i can't say that it's a disturbing look.

*sigh* I miss the days when Aaliyah, Timbaland, Missy, Playa, Ginuwine, Nicole Wray, Gina Thompson and Magoo had the scene on LOCK! Back when Timbaland's beats were blazing up every track

They look like fools.

smoothcriminal12 said:

They look like fools.

You do know one of them in the picture is dead right?

Timmy84 said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

They look like fools.

You do know one of them in the picture is dead right?

...nvm

[Edited 12/31/11 14:09pm]

scriptgirl said:

No, never heard of static major

Lollipop, Lil Wayne?

One of my faves ft. Static:

^^^ I LOVE that song

Harlepolis said:

Static wrote 3/4 of Aaliyah's musical career, he's all over the Timbaland/Missy clique, Ginuwine's Bachelor album was technically his debut project.

He was also part of this group,,,,

[img:$uid]http://images.uulyrics.com/cover/p/playa/album-cheers-2-u.jpg[/img:$uid]

He was def one of the most promising lyricists in R&B, his death was a great loss.

Yes it was

Here's a few demos he did for Aaliyah

He wrote this jam for Destiny's Child. He was adept at penning really good lyrics.

ViintageJunkiie said:

Here's a few demos he did for Aaliyah

HE WROTE THOSE SONGS?

Good songwriter. Had no idea he did all that

Harlepolis said:

Static wrote 3/4 of Aaliyah's musical career, he's all over the Timbaland/Missy clique, Ginuwine's Bachelor album was technically his debut project.

He was also part of this group,,,,

[img:$uid]http://images.uulyrics.com/cover/p/playa/album-cheers-2-u.jpg[/img:$uid]

He was def one of the most promising lyricists in R&B, his death was a great loss.

Static was what U call a "Ghost Writer" a lot of hip hop producers would use him to create songs and put there names on it. Dr Dre was one. Static created "So Additive" by Truth Hurts. But it was credited to Dr. Dre. He was a genius that didn't get credit. He put Lil Wayne on the map with "LoLi Pop" But Lil Wayne gave him props and let him co-star in the video for it. He had his own sound. He also created my favorite song by Aaliyah(Also dated). "Are U That Somebody". That whole Timbaland Ginuwine/Missy click owes a lot to him. I miss that whole sound they had. It was special & so was he.

He's done a lot of great productions with artists that worked with Timbaland. Another great song is Come As You Are from the Afrodisiac album.