Warren McGlone (born September 17, 1969 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania),
known by the stage name Steady B, was an American rapper and emcee
who, along with Schoolly D, the Fresh Prince, and Three Times Dope,
was one of the first wave of Philadelphia-area rappers to gain notoriety
in the mid to late 1980s. Steady B was a member (and de facto leader)
of Philadelphia's Hilltop Hustlers crew. Steady B's musical career
was relatively short-lived, and he is currently serving a life sentence
in a Pennsylvania state prison for his role in the murder of a Philadelphia
Police officer during a botched bank robbery in January, 1996.
With an appealing blend of battle raps (most notably against LL
Cool J, and local Philadelphia rap rivals Three Times Dope and the
Fresh Prince) and freestyle lyrics, Steady B's style reflected the
post-Run-D.M.C./pre-Public Enemy era of hip-hop. His original DJ
was Grand Dragon K.D., who was later replaced by DJ Tat Money, who
later became the DJ for Kwamé and A New Beginning. At his
best, Steady mixed well-written metaphors and wordplay with sparse,
yet catchy, drum tracks. Steady B released five albums over the course
of his career, with mixed success.
[edit] C.E.B.
In 1991, Steady B formed the hardcore rap group C.E.B., with fellow,
local Philadelphia rappers Cool C and Ultimate Eaze, in an effort
to update his style, and record sales. C.E.B.'s name was a backronym
for "Countin' Endless Bank", but was also an acronym for
the names of the group's three members. The trio released their only
album Countin' Endless Bank on Ruffhouse Records in 1992. The single "Get
the Point" reached #5 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles.[1] The
album was poorly received, and Steady B faded into musical obscurity.
[edit] Legal issues
On January 2, 1996, Steady B, along with C.E.B. band mate Cool C,
and another local Philadelphia rapper, Mark Canty, attempted a bank
robbery at a PNC bank branch in Philadelphia. During the botched
heist, where Steady B served as the getaway driver in a stolen minivan,
Philadelphia Police Officer Lauretha Vaird, who responded to the
bank's silent alarm, was shot and killed by Cool C.[2][3] Officer
Vaird, an African-American woman and the single mother of two children,
was the first female Philadelphia Police officer slain in the line
of duty.[4] The incident inspired the song "Slipped Away (The
Ballad of Lauretha Vaird)", which appeared on Philadelphia trio
G. Love and Special Sauce's album Yeah, It's That Easy.
Steady B was arrested at his apartment shortly after the bank robbery.
Two handguns left at the scene by Cool C and Canty, including the
murder weapon, were traced back to Steady, and he eventually confessed
his role in the crimes to police during interrogation.[5]
At his trial, the State presented evidence, including testimony
from Steady's wife, that Steady B, Cool C, and Canty met at Steady's
apartment shortly after the robbery, where they watched media coverage
of the event on television, and discussed their escape.[5] Incriminating
statements by Canty were also admitted into evidence at Steady's
trial.[5]
On October 30, 1996, Steady was convicted of the second degree murder
of Officer Vaird.[2] On December 13, 1996, Steady B was sentenced
to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.[5]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Solo albums
Album information
Bring the Beat Back
* Released: July 25, 1986
* Chart positions: #44 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
* RIAA certification:
* Singles: "Get Physical," "Stupid Fresh," "Bring
the Beat Back"
What's My Name
* Released: August 21, 1987
* Chart positions: #49 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
* RIAA certification:
* Singles: "Believe Me Das Bad," "Use Me," "The Hill
Top"
Let the Hustlers Play
* Released: September 13, 1988
* Chart positions: #56 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
* RIAA certification:
* Singles: "Serious"
Going Steady
* Released: October 17, 1989
* Chart positions: #51 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
* RIAA certification:
* Singles: "Going Steady"
V
* Released: February 5, 1991
* Chart positions:
* RIAA certification:
* Singles:
[edit] Group album
Album information
Countin' Endless Bank
* Released: January 19, 1993
* Chart positions:
* RIAA certification:
* Singles: "Get the Point"