Well-known NYC hip-hop DJ Mister Cee, credited with discovering The Notorious B.I.G, died at 57, according to radio station HOT 97 (WQHT).
“As a family at HOT 97 and WBLS, we’re deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved Mister Cee,” HOT 97 said. “He wasn’t just a DJ; he was a pillar of our stations, bringing joy to countless listeners with his legendary Throwback at Noon and Friday Night Live sets.
WQHT is in the coverage area of Westchester, Rockland, NYC, Nassau County on Long Island and parts of North Jersey — broadcasting on channel 97.1 FM.
Born Calvin LeBrun in Brooklyn, he grew up in Bedford-Stuyvesant and became the official DJ for rapper Big Daddy Kane after becoming friends with him in high school. Mister Cee and Big Daddy Kane went on to be a part of the legendary Juice Crew hip-hop collective, led by legend Marley Marl in 1986.
HOT 97 said he was widely known as “The Finisher” within the hip-hop world and was the DJ behind Big Daddy Kane’s 1988 debut, Long Live the Kane.
As WQHT 97.1 FM transitioned from a Top 40 and house music station to a hip-hop and R&B format in the early 1990s, Mister Cee became one of the first disc jockeys at the station and created a following with his legendary shows “Throwback at Noon” and “Friday Night Live”.
Thanks to Mister Cee, HOT 97 and WBLS became two of the leading hip-hop and R&B stations in the New York market, especially after he met The Notorious B.I.G, a fellow Brooklyn native, in 1994.
“The first time I met him was when his DJ 50 Grand, rest in peace, brought Big to my house,” LeBrun said about the fated meeting. “The plan was we were going to redo the basement demo that he and 50 Grand put together. 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 went on to serve as the associate executive producer for Biggie’s 1994 debut “Ready to Die”. By playing him on HOT 97, Biggie Smalls rose to New York City superstardom, making him one of the most legendary rappers in history.
HOT 97 said in a statement that Throwback at Noon became one of New York’s most listened-to radio programs at the time. His program also helped launch the careers of other famous artists including Jay Z, Alicia Keys and 50 Cent.
Mister Cee worked at HOT 97 for 21 years. He went on to host the noon timeslot on 94.7 The Block and host a show on SiriusXM’s Rock The Bells radio.
HOT 97 released a statement about his death, calling Mister Cee “family to his co-workers and counterparts.”
“Mister 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,” the station said.
The cause of Mister Cee’s death has not yet been released.
First appeared on www.lohud.com