Cunnigan became an enthusiastic fan, eventually buying a guitar from his local music store.

[2] Cunnigan's guitar playing and showmanship earned him respect among his fellow students, including members of the Crips gang.

[2] He also taught guitar to fellow students, including D-Roc the Executioner, who later joined Body Count.

[3] Ernie C also produced demo tapes that led to the signings of Stone Temple Pilots and Rage Against the Machine, as well as the Forbidden album for Black Sabbath.

He managed to win at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, which was held in March 2021, when he was nominated for the second time for the song "Bum-Rush" from the group's seventh album Carnivore.