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Playa, on the cover of their Cheers 2 U LP. From left to right: Static, Black, and Smokey

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 imprompu a cappella 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, 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.

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: From the Motion Picture: Life From Da 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", "Loose Rap", and "More Than A Woman" (all 2001).

Playa was supposed to release an album in 2001, but it never happened. Black "Digital Black" released an album in 2005 with some unreleased Playa songs. Smokey is now Smoke E.Digglera ([1]). He has released 2 solo albums in 2006: "Personal, Pain & Pleasure" and "Sittin' on a Goldmine" . He has signed an European singer named G.No the same year ([2]). a new Playa album is now in the works.

• 1998: Cheers 2 U

• 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"
• 2000: "Woozy" (from the Romeo Must Die soundtrack)
• 2001: "Incense Burning"
• 2003: "Never Too Late"

• 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

• Official Website
• Playa (band) at All Music Guide
• Smoke's Youtube Channel
• Smoke's MySpace Page
• Static's MySpace Page
• Black's MySpace Page
• Don't Stop The Music (Video) at YouTube
• Cheers 2 U (Video) at YouTube