Steady B's original DJ was Grand Dragon K.D., 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. Steady B and Grand Dragon K.D. released a few early classic Hip Hop 12" singles on the Pop Art label in 1985, neither of these early 12" singles feature on albums: Take Your Radio / Fly Shanté featuring Roxanne Shanté Just Call Us Def / Just Call Us Def Steady B and his DJ, Grand Dragon K.D., appeared at "UK Fresh 86" at Wembley Arena on July 19, 1986, known as the Hip Hop Woodstock. Recordings of his set disappointingly only featured one track "Do The Fila" his answer to Joeski Love's "Pee-Wee's Dance".
C.E.B.
In 1991, Steady B formed the hardcore hip hop group C.E.B., with fellow, local Philadelphia emcees 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 it was also an acronym for the names of the group's three members. The trio released its only album, Countin' Endless Bank, on Ruffhouse Records in 1992. The single "Get the Point" reached #5 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles. The album was poorly received.
On January 2, 1996, Steady B, along with C.E.B. bandmate Cool C, and another local Philadelphia rapper, Mark Canty, attempted a bank robbery at a PNC bank branch in Feltonville. During the botched heist, in which 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. 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. The incident inspired the song "Slipped Away," 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 to his role in the crimes to police during interrogation. 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. Incriminating statements by Canty were also admitted into evidence at Steady's trial. On October 30, 1996, Steady was convicted of the second-degree murder of Officer Vaird. On December 13, 1996, Steady B was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
