The hip-hop world is in mourning following the tragic loss of DJ Mister Cee. Hot 97 reported on Wednesday (April 10) that Mister Cee — born Calvin LeBrun — passed away at the age of 57. His cause of death is not yet known.
Born and bred in Brooklyn, Mister Cee served as the official DJ for Big Daddy Kane and he’s perhaps best known for discovering the iconic The Notorious B.I.G. Also known as The Finisher, Cee is credited as an executive producer on Biggie’s legendary 1994 debut Ready to Die.
In an interview with Rock The Bells last year, DJ Mister Cee crowned his Best of Biggie mixtape as his favorite in his decorated career. “That mixtape changed my life. It changed everything. My brand, my life,” he said.
Plenty of tributes and heartfelt condolences have poured in from around the hip-hop community. Mister Cee played a role in helping elevate the careers of local artists such as 50 Cent, who showed Cee love following news of his shocking passing.
“R.I.P to the legend MR. Cee God bless him, to all his family and friends I send my condolences,” the G-Unit mogul wrote to X.
DJ Premier saluted Cee: “Damn! Endless memories in this HIP HOP CULTURE. REST PEACEFULLY TO THE FINISHER… DJ MISTER CEE LOVE YOU BRO!”
While fellow New Yorker and Public Enemy frontman Chuck D added: “Rest In Beats my man. A good dude to the fullest. @djmistercee.”
DJ Mister Cee spent 21 years working at Hot 97 and helming his storied Throwback at Noon segment. He greatly impacted those who worked alongside him at the station.
“We have lost the iconic Mister Cee,” Peter Rosenberg wrote. “I listened to him yesterday and am in complete shock. He was a dear friend to all of us, a wonderful man, and one of the most important and impactful DJs of all time. I love you Cee.”
Jay-Z even gave Mister Cee a shout-out on 2009’s “D.O.A.” alongside DJ Funkmaster Flex. “I made it just for Flex and Mister Cee, I want n—-s to feel threatened,” he raps.
Mister Cee is credited with introducing Fetty Wap to the Metropolitan area when he was one of the first to play his now-certified-diamond anthem “Trap Queen” on the Hot 97 airwaves during the summer of 2014.
Billboard sends its condolences to Mister Cee and his loved ones. Check out more reactions to his passing below.
