RBL Posse

RBL Posse was formed in 1991 by Black C (Christian Mathews) and Mr. Cee (Kyle Church). Their first release, the self-produced "Don't Give Me No Bammer" came out on In-a-Minute Records and made the Billboard magazine Hot Rap Singles chart, peaking at #16. Two albums followed: A Lesson to Be Learned released in 1992, which peaked at #60 on the Billboard magazine Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and Ruthless by Law released in 1994, which surpassed their debut by making it to #23, and also made The Billboard 200 at #197. In 1995, the group produced a solo record for group member Hitman (Ricky Herd) called Solo Creep.

Their impressive sales for regional indie releases attracted interest from Atlantic Records subsidiary Big Beat, which signed the group. Before they could deliver an album, Mr. Cee was shot nine times and killed near his home on Harbor Road on New Year's Day 1996. This murder set off a wave of retaliation killings in this section of the city. Black C also lost an eye in 1988 during the San Francisco gang wars in a drive-by shooting.