Capital Steez

Courtney Everald Dewar Jr. (better known by his stage name Capital Steez; stylized as Capital STEEZ; July 7, 1993 – December 23, 2012), was an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York. He was a founder of the Brooklyn-based rap collective Pro Era, along with childhood friend Joey Bada$$. Capital Steez was also a co-founder of the Beast Coast movement, which consists of three main groups based in Flatbush: Pro Era, Flatbush Zombies, and The Underachievers. Capital Steez committed suicide on December 23, 2012, jumping from the roof of the Cinematic Music Group headquarters aged 19. Both Pro Era and Beast Coast went on to gain international success in the years following his death.[edit]

The death of Capital Steez triggered an immediate and profound outpouring of grief within the hip-hop community, particularly among members of the Pro Era collective and fans of underground rap. Tributes poured in from peers such as Joey Bada$$, Kirk Knight, and Danny Brown, who frequently referenced him in their lyrics and social media posts. Streaming numbers for his catalog saw a sharp surge immediately after the news broke; tracks like Vibe Ratings and Free The Robots experienced significant increases in plays on platforms like Spotify and SoundCloud. Fan vigils were held spontaneously outside the Cinematic Music Group building and at various locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan, where attendees gathered to light candles and share memories.

Courtney Everald Dewar Jr., known professionally as Capital Steez, died on December 23, 2012, at the age of 19. He was discovered dead in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, New York City, following a fall from the rooftop of the Cinematic Music Group headquarters located at 35 West 18th Street. The New York City Police Department investigated the incident and concluded that his death was a suicide by jumping, though this remains an unconfirmed official stance in the absence of a released document. His final days were marked by intense promotion of the number 47, which he believed signified the end of the world.

Capital Steez's funeral was a private ceremony held shortly after his death on December 23, 2012. The specific date, location, and burial site were kept confidential by the Dewar family and were never disclosed to the public. A memorial mural dedicated to Capital Steez was painted in his honor in Brooklyn, serving as a landmark for fans to pay respects. Following his death, his estate continued to release unreleased material, including the album 47 Shift scheduled for release in 2026.[edit]