Steady B

Among the earliest Philadelphia rappers to attract attention were Schoolly D and the Fresh Prince, later recognized as actor/rapper Will Smith; Steady B, born Warren McGlone, stood alongside them in that initial wave. His approach combined battle raps and freestyle lyrics in a manner that captured the precise period of hip-hop between Run-D.M.C. and Public Enemy. When at peak form, he wove intricate metaphors and clever wordplay over minimal yet infectious drum patterns. Yet, like many 1980s rap releases, his projects often leaned on contrived concepts and awkward storytelling to complete their track lists. Following five albums that achieved uneven commercial results, he launched the hardcore outfit C.E.B. alongside Cool C to refresh his sound and commercial prospects. That lone C.E.B. effort underperformed, after which Steady receded from view. Remaining silent might have served him better, but 1996 brought convictions for both Steady and Cool C in a failed armed robbery and murder. To escape the threat of execution, Steady admitted his role in the robbery and received a sentence of life imprisonment without parole.