R.I.P. Steve "Static" Garrett (1974-2008)

by Chris Ryan

On Monday, February 25, songwriter Stephen "Static" Garret died of an apparent brain aneurysm, robbing pop music of one its most articulate and sensitive voices, even if his own voice was rarely heard.

Born in Louisville, Garrett first made his name as a member of the late-'90s R&B group Playa, where he developed his prodigious skills as a songwriter. When Playa disbanded, Garrett became an in-house hit machine for Timbaland and Missy Elliott's Blackground Music.

It was through his affiliation with Tim and Missy that Garrett found his muse in the rising R&B star Aaliyah. Filling Aaliyah's whisper with heartache, Garrett penned indelible, bedroom dramas that expressed weary and tear-stained sentiments, filled with longing and unchained melody.

Their collaboration, along with some of Timbaland's most groundbreaking tracks, produced contemporary classics such as "Are You That Somebody," "Rock Da Boat" and, perhaps their masterpiece, "We Need a Resolution," which surgically dissected the dissolution of a relationship with Garrett's words ("Where were you last night?/I fell asleep on the couch ... I want to know/Where were you instead?") acting as the scalpel.

In a statement released by Blackground, Garrett's friend and fellow R&B artist Tank said, "We have lost one of the great songwriters of our time." In addition to his work with Aaliyah, Garrett penned the dance-floor monster, "Pony" for Ginuwine, as well as  "Say My Name (Timbaland Remix)" for Destiny's Child. He also worked with David Banner, Jay-Z, and most recently, Lil' Wayne.

Garrett, who leaves behind a wife and four children, was, at the time of his death, preparing his solo debut under the moniker Static/Major. But even if those songs never see the light of day, his other work, unlike the fading love found in his Aaliyah songs, will live forever.

Comments

[Deasia]

Hey first i want to say God bless static family and i lay my prayers in your hands and hearts i loved his voice and music and he was fine were all upset at this tragic momment in life but you'll get through it just keep the lord above first and you will stay on the right path and know that static will always be with you no matter what