| Playa | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, Hip-hop, Rap |
| Years active | 1990–2003 (trio); 2007-present (duo) |
| Labels | Def Jam |
| Associated acts | Big Season Muzik, Timbaland, Ginuwine, H-Town, Jodeci, Aaliyah, Magoo |
| Website | PlayaMusicOnline.com |
| Past members | |
| Static Major Smokey Digital Black |
|
Playa was an American R&B/hip-hop group. Composed of Smoke E. Digglera (also known as Smokey), Digital Black (also known as Black), and the late Static Major (also known as Stacks), Playa is best known for their 1998 hit album, "Cheers 2 U", produced by longtime collaborator Timbaland. Static was notable for being a successful songwriter of hit singles and album tracks for artists such as Ginuwine, Aaliyah, Truth Hurts, Lil Wayne and Brandy. The group (without Static) reunite to a form a R&B supergroup with Ginuwine & H-Town.
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Originally rappers, The three members of Playa all originate from Louisville, Kentucky, and formed while the guys were still in high school. Smokey and Digital Black met through a mutual friend who thought the guys would sound good together, while Smokey and Static met in church while performing in a gospel group. Alongside other guys, the three men that would eventually form Playa created a group called A Touch of Class.
As A Touch of Class, the men impressed DeVante by performing a cappella versions of Jodeci songs backstage after a concert in 1991/1992. The guys were then signed onto DeVante's Swing Mob label with Elektra Records in 93/94. Magazines such as Vibe or The Source attribute the signing to Static's close friendship with the boss and producers of the DeVante Recording Label. The group finally became Playa after DeVante heard the guys sing and called them "lil playas."
Other members of Swing Mob were young hopefuls such as Missy Elliott, Timbaland & Magoo, Ginuwine, Tweet, and Renee Anderson. By 1996, most of the Swing Mob artists—Playa included—had left DeVante for better luck elsewhere. They participated in the production of Jodeci's The Show, The After Party, The Hotel album in 1995. During this time, the men of Playa learned production and built up a catalogue of material that would later be released as part of their Cheers 2 U album.
In 1998, Playa released their album, Cheers 2 U. The album featured production by Timbaland and had two singles. The album's first single, "Don't Stop The Music" reached #26 on the R&B charts, while the second single, "Cheers 2 U" reached #10.
After three years of Static's death, the group reunites to form a supergroup with former collaborator Ginuwine & fellow friends H-Town for a album.