Playa (band)
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Playa is an American R&B trio. Comprised of members Steve "Static" Garrett, Smokey, and Black, Playa is best known for their 1997 hit single, "Cheers 2 U", produced by longtime collaborator Timbaland. Static is notable for being a successful songwriter of hit singles and album tracks for artists such as Ginuwine, Aaliyah, Truth Hurts, and Brandy.
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[edit] History
[edit] Early years
The three members of Playa all originate from Kentucky, and styled their act after R&B stars Jodeci. After impressing Jodeci member DeVante Swing by imprompt a cappella versions of Jodeci songs backstage after a Jodeci concert, Playa was signed to DeVante's Swing Mob label with Elektra Records. Other members of Swing Mob were young hopefuls such as Missy Elliott, Timbaland & Magoo, Ginuwine, and Tweet. By 1996, most of the Swing Mob artists--Playa included--had left DeVante for better luck elsewhere. They participated to the famous "The Show, the After Party" Jodeci album in 1996 (chorus).
[edit] Success
Playa was soon signed to Def Jam Records, becoming the third major act on its Def Soul label after Montell Jordan and Case. Although they only released one album, 1998's Cheers 2 You, they had a Top 40 pop hit and Top 10 R&B hit with its title track, which went on to become one of Timbaland's best-known productions.
A second Playa album has appeared on Def Jam's release schedule infrequenly since 1999, although no further albums have been released. Playa has provided guest vocals and whole solo tracks on two of Timbaland's albums: 1997's Timbaland & Magoo album Welcome to Our World and 1998's Tim's Bio: From the Motion Picture: Life From Da Bassment. Static, who co-wrote Ginuwine's first single, "Pony", went on to become a prominent R&B songwriter, and is especially noted for writing hit songs for Aaliyah such as "Are You That Somebody" (1998, on which Playa performs background vocals), "Try Again" (2000), and "We Need a Resolution" and "More Than A Woman" (both 2001).
Playa was supposed to release an album in 2001, but it never happened. Black "Digital Black" released an album in 2005 with some unreleased Playa songs. Smokey is now Smoke E.Digglera ([1]). He has released 2 solo albums in 2006: "Personal, Pain & Pleasure" and "Sittin' on a Goldmine" . He has signed an European singer named G.No the same year ([2]).
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- 1998: Cheers 2 U
[edit] Singles
- 1998: "Don’t Stop the Music"
- 1998: "Cheers 2 U"
- 1998: "I Gotta Know" (featuring Foxy Brown, from the How to Be a Player soundtrack)
- 1999: "Your Dress"
- 2000: "Woozy" (from the Romeo Must Die soundtrack)
- 2001: "Incense Burning"
- 2003: "Never Too Late"
[edit] Soundtrack and compilation contributions
- 1997: "Joy", from Welcome to Our World by Timbaland & Magoo
- 1997: "Smoke In 'Da Air", from Welcome to Our World by Timbaland & Magoo
- 1998: "Birthday", from Tim's Bio: From The Motion Picture: Life from Da Bassment by Timbaland
- 1998: "Your Dress", from the Dr. Doolittle Soundtrack
- 1999: "Playboy Like Me", from the Blue Streak Soundtrack
- 2000: "Woozy" from the Romeo Must Die Soundtrack
- 2001: "Incense Burning" from the Exit Wounds Soundtrack
