Legendary New York DJ Mister Cee, Official DJ For Big Daddy Kane, Dies At 57
Mister Cee, a Brooklyn-born disc jockey who is known as the official DJ for Big Daddy Kane and is credited with discovering hip-hop legend The Notorious B.I.G., has died at 57. His hit radio shows and famed 120-minute mixtapes shaped New York City’s 1990s hip-hop scene.
The DJ’s family confirmed his death Wednesday (April 10) to his former employer of 21 years, radio station Hot 97. No cause or location of death was given.
“As a family at HOT 97 and WBLS, we’re deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved Mister Cee. He wasn’t just a DJ,” said the statement. “He was a pillar of our stations, bringing joy to countless listeners with his legendary Throwback at Noon and Friday Night Live sets.
“Mr. Cee’s influence stretched far beyond the airwaves, shaping the very fabric of NYC’s DJ culture. Our hearts are heavy as we send our love and condolences to his family and the fans whose lives he touched through his music. Rest easy, Mr. Cee. Your legacy will live forever.”
Mister Cee, born Calvin Lebrun, learned to spin records from his uncle and next-door neighbor, who belonged to a DJ crew called DJ Knight and the Knights of Hollywood, he said in a November interview with Rock the Bells. Later, Lebrun gained prominence as the official DJ for Big Daddy Kane — whom he met in high school — and the host of Hot 97’s “Throwback at Noon,” where he played old-school hip-hop classics.
Big Daddy Kane also shared an Instagram post featuring a throwback image of the two, with the simple caption, “NO WORDS!!! 🤲🏾.”
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At Hot 97, LeBrun “was the glue between the old and the new,” Chris Green, head of national radio promotions for Capitol Music Group, told the New York Times in 2014.
Mr. Cee was also known as “The Finisher” and is credited with discovering hip-hop legend The Notorious B.I.G. The DJ was introduced to him by his friend DJ 50 Grand. The two then collaborated on a demo, and soon, that led to a meeting with Sean “Diddy” Combs.
“The plan was we were going to redo the basement demo that he and 50 Grand put together,” Cee shared with WBLS 107.5. “Big was very shy. He would always talk with his head down and say, ‘Yo man, don’t be promising me nothing, man. If you say you’re going to do something, do it.’ And I’m like, nah, we’re going to redo the demo.”
Mister Cee would go on to serve as the associate executive producer on Biggie’s debut album, Ready to Die, in 1994.
Along with the stations’ tribute, rapper 50 Cent shared an Instagram post remembering the DJ. “🙏🏿R.I.P to the legend MR. Cee God bless him, to all his family and friends I send my condolences. 🕊️”
Feature image credit: WireImage/Johnny Nunez