Cool C

Christopher “Cool C” Roney began rapping in Philadelphia as a teen with childhood friend Steady B in Philadelphia along with a pre-fame Will Smith.

In 1989 he released his debut single “Juice Crew Dis” aimed at the Queensbridge hip hop collective Juice Crew formed by Marley Marl. This and his next two singles gained Cool C enough attention to land a contract with Atlantic Records, where he released two solo albums.

His first album I Gotta Habit peaked at #51 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums and stayed on the chart for almost 3 months in 1989. It produced his best-known song “Glamourous Life” (which heavily samples the Shelia E song of the same name) and peaked at #11 on the US Rap Chart that November. C’s second album Life In The Ghetto was released in 1990 and peaked at #72 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart.

In 1992, Cool C put his solo career on hold to form a hip hop group named C.E.B. which stood for “Countin' Endless Bank” with childhood friend Steady B and the DJ from B’s fifth album Ultimate Eaze. C.E.B. released their only album Countin' Endless Bank under the label Ruffhouse Records in 1993.

The album’s lead single “Get The Point” peaked at #5 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart in 1993, staying on the chart for almost 3 months. But it wasn’t enough to propel the group into stardom, with Ruffhouse founder Chris Schwartz explaining:

We had all the encouragement needed to think that the album would be successful. Unfortunately, they had a manager who I don’t think was in tune with reality. Nice guy, but, he kind of made it up as he went along. I was surprised C.E.B. didn’t make it bigger.

In 1996 Cool C and Steady B, along with fellow Philadelphia rapper Mark Canty, attempted a bank robbery at PNC Bank in Feltonville. Cool C fatally shot policewoman Lauretha Vaird in the abdomen then exited the building through the front door. He then exchanged gunfire with police officer Donald Patterson before escaping in a green minivan driven by Steady B.

Cool C was soon arrested and found guilty of first degree murder, three counts of robbery, conspiracy, aggravated assault, burglary and possession of an instrument of crime. In total Cool C was to serve 32 ½ to 65 years in prison. On November 1st 1996 Cool C was sentenced to death, but has received two stay of executions, one in 2006 and one in 2015. And is still alive to this day, awaiting his execution.