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Mister Cee

Not to be confused with Mr. Cee.

Calvin LeBrun (August 17, 1966 – April 10, 2024), known professionally as Mister Cee or DJ Mister Cee, was an American DJ, broadcaster, record executive, and radio personality. Credited with the discovery of both rappers, he guest featured on Big Daddy Kane's 1988 debut album Long Live the Kane, and served as associate executive producer for the Notorious B.I.G.'s 1994 debut album, Ready to Die.[1][2][3] Mister Cee is widely considered to be a pioneering figure in East Coast hip hop.[4]

Mister Cee
Mister Cee in 1997
Mister Cee in 1997
Background information
Birth nameCalvin LeBrun
Also known as
  • The Finisher
  • The Wallop King
  • DJ Mister Cee
Born(1966-08-17)August 17, 1966
New York City, U.S.
DiedApril 10, 2024(2024-04-10) (aged 57)
New York City, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • Disc jockey
  • record executive
  • radio personality
  • broadcaster
Years active1987–2024
Formerly of

Life and career

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LeBrun was born on August 17, 1966,[5] in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City. At a young age, he learned how to DJ from a crew called DJ Knight and the Knights of Hollywood.[2] In high school, he met rapper Big Daddy Kane. After graduation, he worked for several messenger companies, including Airborne Express,[6] until he began deejaying for Kane in the late 1980s. He appeared on the track "Mister Cee's Master Plan" from Kane's 1988 debut album, Long Live the Kane,[2] and was a member of the Juice Crew, alongside rapper Roxanne Shante.[7][8]

In the early 1990s, he gained popularity as a radio DJ, showcasing the music of rising artists. His radio shows Throwback at Noon and Friday Night Live would air respectively on New York radio stations Hot97 and WBLS.[3] During this time, Mister Cee discovered the Notorious B.I.G., otherwise known as Biggie Smalls,[9][10] after meeting the rapper through his DJ 50 Grand.[2] He would serve as B.I.G.’s mentor,[11] help record B.I.G.'s demo and facilitate the deal that got Notorious B.I.G. signed by Sean "Diddy" Combs to Bad Boy Records.[2]

In 1998, Mister Cee became a member of The Flip Squad, which included Mark Ronson.[12] He influenced many popular artists, including Alicia Keys,[13] and was referenced in Jay-Z's Death of Autotune.[14] He was one of the first DJs to play Fetty Wap's "Trap Queen" in 2014, helping launch the rapper's career.[14] Aside from his contributions in music, Mister Cee also helped develop a new flavor called "Island Punch Finisher" for Tropical Fantasy soft drinks.[15] In 2008, the video game Grand Theft Auto IV featured a realistic Mister Cee character on a rap radio station titled "102.7, the Beat".[16]

In 2013, his sexuality entered the public debate after his repeated arrests for soliciting prostitution from trans women.[17][18][19] Challenged by his radio cohost Ebro Darden, he was partly secretive, but denied being gay.[18][19] The controversy persisted until he publicly acknowledged that, while not seeking sex with trans women, he had sought activities such as oral sex,[18][20] and questioned his sexuality.[21] As a result of the controversy and the station's new plans for music, he resigned from Hot97 temporarily in 2013 and permanently in 2014, moving to his show on WXBK.[4] Despite the prevalence of homophobia in the hip hop community at the time, he received support from many notable hip hop figures, including Questlove.[22]

In 2020, Mister Cee became the host of Sirius XM's “The Set It Off Show” on LL Cool J's Rock the Bells Radio, a position he held until his death.[23]

Death

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LeBrun died in New York City on April 10, 2024, at the age of 57 due to "diabetes-related coronary artery/kidney disease." LeBrun's cause of death was confirmed in an official statement from the family.[24][10][25] Numerous recording artists and broadcasters expressed their condolences on social media, including 50 Cent, Faith Evans, Queen Latifah, Fat Joe, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Chuck D, Busta Rhymes, Raekwon, Ed Lover, Memphis Bleek, and Hot 97 DJ Peter Rosenberg.[26][27][28]

Legacy

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Mister Cee is considered a legendary figure in hip-hop and one of the greatest DJs of all time.[4] DJ Premier called Mister Cee an "icon", 50 Cent called Mister Cee a "legend",[14] and Peter Rosenberg called Mister Cee "one of the most important and impactful DJs of all time".[26] Common called Mister Cee "one of the most important people ever in hip-hop" and said "thank you for what you’ve done for the Culture, the Music and for Us."[29] Wyclef Jean added that Mister Cee was “one of the greatest pillars of hip-hop music”.[30] Busta Rhymes stated, "I just want people to understand how much Mister Cee really meant. I hope everybody can understand how significant of a blow this is to our culture as a whole...we’re not letting Mister Cee’s legacy die. We’re going to make sure your legend lives for infinity."[31]

Discography

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References

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  1. ^ Mister Cee, Hot 97, Archived 2006-10-26 at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Horowitz, Steven (April 10, 2024). "Mister Cee, Big Daddy Kane's DJ and Notorious B.I.G.'s Producer, Dies at 57". Variety. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Perkins, Tai (April 10, 2024). "Legendary DJ Mister Cee Has Passed Away". Hot 97. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Mayorquín, Orlando (April 10, 2024). "Mister Cee, Pioneering Brooklyn D.J., Dies at 57". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024. Before he died, he had his own show playing throwbacks on 94.7 The Block NYC.
  5. ^ Grant, Shawn (April 10, 2024). "DJ Mister Cee Reportedly Dead at 57, Messages of Love Pour in Across Social Media". The Source. The NorthStar Group. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  6. ^ "Mr. Magic and Mister Cee – 1995". 1995. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2006.
  7. ^ Brown, Preezy (April 10, 2024). "Mister Cee, Legendary Hip-Hop DJ, Dead At 57". VIBE.com. Vibe Media. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  8. ^ Alm, David (April 11, 2024). "'Roxanne Roxanne' Tells An Often-Ignored Piece Of Hip Hop History". Forbes. Advantage Media. Archived from the original on April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  9. ^ Diaz, Angel (April 10, 2024). "Mister Cee, Legendary New York DJ, Dies at 57". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "New York City DJ Mister Cee dies at age 57, Hot97 confirms". CBS News New York. April 10, 2024. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  11. ^ "thenotoriousbig on Instagram: "The family of The Notorious B.I.G extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the family of our beloved brotha Calvin "DJ Mister Cee" Lebrun on his transition. He was a dear friend and mentor of B.I.G and an unwavering committed supporter of the family over the years of B.I.G's transition. We Love and Salute you King.. RIP- One of the BEST to touch the turntables"". Instagram.
  12. ^ Gamp, Joe (February 3, 2016). "Mark Ronson and Biggie Smalls collaborator DJ Big Kap passes away, aged 45". NME. NME Networks. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  13. ^ Gonzales, Michael A. (December 20, 2013). "[VINTAGE VISION] Alicia Keys Dips Her 'Diary' in Hip-Hop". EBONY. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c Saponara, Michael (April 10, 2024). "50 Cent, DJ Premier, Chuck D & More React to DJ Mister Cee's Death". Billboard. Penske Media. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  15. ^ Deville, Chris (April 10, 2024). "Mister Cee, Legendary Hip-Hop DJ, Dead At 57". Stereogum. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  16. ^ Grove, Rashad (April 10, 2024). "Report: Legendary New York DJ Mister Cee Dies at 57". BET. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  17. ^ Soderberg, Brandon (May 6, 2013). "Mister Cee, Arrested Again for Soliciting a Prostitute, Tries to Defend Himself". Spin. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  18. ^ a b c Zach Baron (January 21, 2014). "The secret double life of Mister Cee, hip hop's most beloved DJ" Archived October 2, 2021, at the Wayback Machine. GQ. Condé Nast. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  19. ^ a b Markman, Rob (May 6, 2013). "Hot 97 DJ Mister Cee takes to airwaves after arrest: 'I am not gay'". MTV News. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  20. ^ Dillon, Nancy (January 22, 2014). "Hot 97 DJ Mister Cee opens up about transgender prostitution scandal, says he's 'absolutely not' gay in GQ interview". NY Daily News. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  21. ^ Caramanica, Jon (September 13, 2013). "Hip-Hop, Tolerance and a D.J.'s Bared Soul: He's Tired of Denial". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  22. ^ Landrum, Jr., Jonathan (April 10, 2024). "Mister Cee, a famed hip-hop DJ and key figure behind Notorious B.I.G.'s debut album, dies at 57". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  23. ^ "SiriusXM Remembers DJ Mister Cee with a Special Tribute Show". siriusxm.com. April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  24. ^ Perkins, Tai (April 10, 2024). "Legendary DJ Mister Cee Has Passed Away". Hot 97. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  25. ^ "DJ Mister Cee's Cause of Death Revealed". BET. April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  26. ^ a b Grover, Ashima (April 11, 2024). "Iconic DJ Mister Cee passes away at 57: Report". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  27. ^ "Mister Cee, pioneering New York City DJ, dies at 57". ABC7 New York. The Associated Press. April 11, 2024. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  28. ^ Stump, Scott (April 11, 2024). "Mister Cee, legendary hip-hop DJ, dies at 57. Why the hip-hop community is in deep mourning". TODAY.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  29. ^ "Common on Instagram: "GOD Bless The Soul of Mister Cee."". Instagram.
  30. ^ "Wyclef Jean on Instagram: "R.I.P to one of the greatest pillars of HIp Hop Music we all loved you rest with the Angels"". Instagram.
  31. ^ "947theblock on Instagram: "On April 30th, family and friends will be sending our dear friend THE FINISHER DJ MISTER CEE off in grand fashion."". Instagram.
  32. ^ Nevares, Gabriel Bras (April 11, 2024). "Rest In Peace Mister Cee: Remembering The DJ's Indelible Hip-Hop Legacy". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
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