Playa (band)
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.
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 impromptu acapella 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.
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: Live from Tha 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).