Mister Cee, Brooklyn DJ, hip-hop legend, Notorious B.I.G., Hot 97, New York City hip-hop, DJ legacy, Calvin Lebrun, music industry, hip-hop history
Explore the life and legacy of Mister Cee, the iconic Brooklyn DJ who shaped New York City’s hip-hop scene and nurtured talents like the Notorious B.I.G. Discover his journey from the streets of Bedford-Stuyvesant to the pinnacle of radio fame on Hot 97, his impactful contributions to music, and the enduring legacy he leaves behind in the world of hip-hop.
Renowned Brooklyn disc jockey Mister Cee, a pivotal figure in the hip-hop movement of New York City during the 1990s and an early supporter of the Notorious B.I.G., has passed away at the age of 57.
Skip Dillard, the brand manager at WXBK 94.7 The Block NYC, where Mister Cee hosted a program, confirmed his passing on Wednesday. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Mister Cee, known for his influential mixes that dominated New York’s radio airwaves for years, was a prominent DJ on Hot 97 for over two decades until he departed in 2014. He played a significant role in producing the Notorious B.I.G.’s first album, “Ready to Die.”
Calvin Lebrun, better known as Mister Cee, was born in August 1966 in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn. Raised by his grandparents, he was drawn to DJing through his uncle’s influence, as he shared on the Rock The Bells satellite radio show in November.
He expressed that his DJing passion was fueled by early exposure to hip-hop groups like World Famous Supreme Team and Awesome Two through the radio.
Mister Cee achieved his dream of broadcasting on Hot 97, but eventually left due to changes in the station’s musical direction. In a 2014 interview with The Times, he stated, “I might be the answer for now, but I don’t think I’ll be the answer five or 10 years from now.”
Chris Green, a promoter at Capitol Musical Group, described Mister Cee to The New York Times as a pivotal link between the station’s past and present.
In 2013, Mister Cee briefly resigned from Hot 97 following reports of his solicitation of transgender prostitutes, sparking discussions about his sexuality in a genre often marred by homophobia. He returned to the station but left permanently in 2014.
Despite these challenges, Mister Cee remained revered in the music scene, continuing to DJ in clubs and on various radio shows. Before his death, he hosted a throwback show on 94.7 The Block NYC. Following his passing, the station paid tribute by airing his 2022 mix dedicated to the Notorious B.I.G.’s would-be 50th birthday.
Besides the Notorious B.I.G., Mister Cee had collaborated with Big Daddy Kane and aided in the rise of 50 Cent among others in the rap industry.
Details about Mister Cee’s surviving family members were not provided immediately.
In a 2021 Kitchen Talk podcast episode, Mister Cee showed a childhood photo of himself with a record, a gift from his father before his death in 1993, the year Mister Cee joined Hot 97. Reflecting on this, he remarked, “And he said to me, ‘I knew this is what you were going to do.’”
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