Mister Cee, DJ Who Helped Discover Notorious B.I.G., Dead at 57

DJ Mister Cee (né Calvin LeBrun) has died, according to a statement released by his employer, radio station Hot 97. He was 57.

“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,”  began 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.”

The channel's statement continued: “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.”

LeBrun's cause of death was not immediately known.

Mister Cee, also known as “The Finisher,” notably discovered hip-hop legend The Notorious B.I.G. The DJ was introduced to Biggie by friend DJ 50 Grand. The two then collaborated on the demo, and soon enough, The Source's Unsigned Hype column caught wind of it, which ultimately 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." 

Eventually, Mister Cee would go on to serve as the associate executive producer on Biggie’s debut album, Ready to Die, in 1994.

Along with discovering Biggie’s career, the Brooklyn-born DJ was known for his work before then when he was a DJ for Big Daddy Kane. The DJ was later featured on Kane’s 1988 debut album, Long Live the Kane. The late DJ is heard on the track “Mister Cee’s Master Plan.”

His career then led him to host “Throwback at Noon” on HOT 97, where he exhibited his encyclopedic knowledge of hip-hop and skills behind a turntable. The station and sister station WBLS 107.5 also paid tribute to the longtime DJ in a collaborated Instagram post on Wednesday, April 10.

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. 🕊️”

Early collaborator Big Daddy Kane also shared his condolences in an Instagram post featuring a throwback image of the two, with the simple caption, "NO WORDS!!! 🤲🏾."

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The Hip Hop Museum also shared a touching tribute: “Starting as a mobile DJ, he quickly mesmerized audiences with his impeccable blending of beats and innovative scratching techniques. With an extraordinary career that spanned almost four decades, his skills on the turntables, unwavering passion for music, and unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries left an indelible mark on the industry.”

The caption continued: “Today, as we mourn the loss of DJ Mister Cee, we remember his extraordinary contributions to Hip Hop. May his legacy continue to inspire future generations of artists, reminding us all of the enduring power of music and the transformative spirit of those who dare to forge new paths. Rest in peace, DJ Mister Cee ‘The Finisher.’ ”