Videos: Playa

Cheers 2 U

Playa was an American R&B/hip-hop trio. 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.

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.
[edit] Joining Swing Mob

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."
[edit] Part of Swing Mob

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.
[edit] Cheers 2 U

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.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums

1998: Cheers 2 U
2003: Never Too Late (shelved)

[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" (from the Dr. Doolittle soundtrack)
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