Hi Jesus,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Playa consisted of three members from Louisville, Kentucky: Stephen "Static Major" Garrett (lead songwriter, vocalist, and eventually one of the most important R&B songwriters of his generation); Jawaan "Smoke E. Digglera" Peacock (vocalist, producer, and songwriter); and Benjamin "Digital Black" Bush (vocalist and songwriter).

The group is one of the most influential R&B groups that casual music fans often overlook. Although they released only one studio album (Cheers 2 U), they played a pivotal role in shaping the futuristic R&B sound of the late 1990s and early 2000s through their songwriting, vocal arrangements, and close collaboration with Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Ginuwine, and the rest of the Swing Mob collective.

"Hollywood" is an unreleased Playa recording that has circulated among collectors and fans for years. It was recorded during the sessions for the group's planned second album after Cheers 2 U, an album that Def Soul ultimately shelved. As a result, "Hollywood" never received an official commercial release.

The song is notable because it showcases the mature, harmony-rich sound Playa was developing after Cheers 2 U. By that point, Static Major, Smoke E. Digglera, and Digital Black had become even stronger writers and vocal arrangers, and many fans believe the unreleased material could have surpassed their debut album.

If this is determined to be the *only* reel from that recording, it could surpass my otherwise conservative valuation.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

Playa reel tape for "Hollywood"
Recorded for Universal / Blackground, produced by Static, engineered by Stephen George and Michael Berman, at Battery Studios, New York City, dated 6/5/2003
Quantegy 499 reel
1.5 X 2500
CONDITION: unknown
PROVENANCE: acquired in an online auction
$ 600-900*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia