∼Musician. Real name Stephen Garrett. A native of Louisville, Kentucky, he gained fame first in the mid-1990s as a member of the rhythm and blues trio, Playa, and later as a successful music producer, and songwriter. Together with friends simply known as Black and Smokey, Garrett formed the trio in 1995 in their native Kentucky, and soon began singing as an accapella group in the style of R&B group Jodeci. Ironically while doing one of these concerts they were discovered by Jodeci band member Devante Swing and signed to his Swing Mob Record Label with Elektra Records. Their first big success came in an appearance on Jodeci's 1995 album, "The Show, The After Party, The Hotel." Following the release of Jodeci's album the trio signed with Def Jam Records, becoming the third major act on it's Def Soul Label after Case and Montell Jordan. In 1998, their debut album, "Cheers 2 You" which was produced by Timbaland, was released with the title track becoming a Top 40 pop hit and Top 10 R&B hit that same year. After guest appearances on Timbaland and Magoo's albums, "Welcome To Our World" (1997), and "Tim's Bio: From The Motion Picture: Life From Da Basement" (1998), the trio worked on another album but by 1999 it was never released and they called it quits to focus on other projects. While Black and Smokey went onto successful solo careers, Garrett became a music producer, songwriter, and solo artist in his own right. He is credited with writing songs including "Pony" for Ginuwine, and several hit songs for the late Aaliyah including, "Are You That Somebody", "We Need A Resolution", "More Than A Woman", "Try Again", and "Loose Rap." He also contributed to the careers of Destiny Child, Nicole Wray, JoJo, David Banner, Brandy, Tank, Pretty Ricky, and Jay-Z, among several others. His last projects included helping Lil Wayne on his singles, "I Got My" and "Lollipop", as well as TQ's new single "Paradise", featuring Krayzie Bone. He died unexpectedly from a suspected brain aneurysm in his hometown of Louisville, at the age of 32.
∼Musician. Real name Stephen Garrett. A native of Louisville, Kentucky, he gained fame first in the mid-1990s as a member of the rhythm and blues trio, Playa, and later as a successful music producer, and songwriter. Together with friends simply known as Black and Smokey, Garrett formed the trio in 1995 in their native Kentucky, and soon began singing as an accapella group in the style of R&B group Jodeci. Ironically while doing one of these concerts they were discovered by Jodeci band member Devante Swing and signed to his Swing Mob Record Label with Elektra Records. Their first big success came in an appearance on Jodeci's 1995 album, "The Show, The After Party, The Hotel." Following the release of Jodeci's album the trio signed with Def Jam Records, becoming the third major act on it's Def Soul Label after Case and Montell Jordan. In 1998, their debut album, "Cheers 2 You" which was produced by Timbaland, was released with the title track becoming a Top 40 pop hit and Top 10 R&B hit that same year. After guest appearances on Timbaland and Magoo's albums, "Welcome To Our World" (1997), and "Tim's Bio: From The Motion Picture: Life From Da Basement" (1998), the trio worked on another album but by 1999 it was never released and they called it quits to focus on other projects. While Black and Smokey went onto successful solo careers, Garrett became a music producer, songwriter, and solo artist in his own right. He is credited with writing songs including "Pony" for Ginuwine, and several hit songs for the late Aaliyah including, "Are You That Somebody", "We Need A Resolution", "More Than A Woman", "Try Again", and "Loose Rap." He also contributed to the careers of Destiny Child, Nicole Wray, JoJo, David Banner, Brandy, Tank, Pretty Ricky, and Jay-Z, among several others. His last projects included helping Lil Wayne on his singles, "I Got My" and "Lollipop", as well as TQ's new single "Paradise", featuring Krayzie Bone. He died unexpectedly from a suspected brain aneurysm in his hometown of Louisville, at the age of 32.
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