Mister Cee, the longtime New York DJ at Hot 97 who is often credited with discovering The Notorious B.I.G., died of diabetes-related coronary artery and kidney disease, his family confirmed in a statement provided to AllHipHop. The Medical Examiner of New York City confirmed the cause of death after he passed at the age of 57, last week.
“On behalf of the Lebrun, Wilson, Calixte families we want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support for our brother, uncle, nephew Calvin ‘DJ Mister Cee’ Lebrun in the wake of his untimely passing. It’s a huge loss for our entire family, the borough of Brooklyn, and the entire Hip-Hop Community,” the family said. “The Medical Examiner of NYC determined that his cause of death was Diabetes related coronary artery/kidney disease. Details about the public funeral service will be announced shortly. We ask that you please respect the family’s privacy during this extremely difficult time. Thank you.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK–FEBRUARY 11: DJ Mister Cee (aka Calvin LeBrun) and Big Daddy Kane appear at a video release party for a Big. Daddy Kane (aka Antonio Hardy) music video project on February 11, 1991, in New York City. (Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
As for his relationship with The Notorious B.I.G., Cee served as a producer on his 1994 debut studio album, Ready to Die. He reflected on their relationship during an interview with Rock the Bells, last November. “The first time I met him was when his DJ, 50 Grand, rest in peace, brought Big to my house. The plan was we were going to redo the basement demo that he and 50 Grand put together,” Mister Cee recalled at the time. “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. We weren’t in a studio. We were at my house. I did it with two turntables, just cutting the record back and forth. We had a little cheesy mic that was better than the mic 50 Grand had at his house.”
Upon news of Cee’s death, many noteworthy names in hip-hop shared condolences on social media including DJ Premier, 50 Cent, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Peter Rosenberg, Queen Latifah, and more. Be on the lookout for further updates on Mister Cee on HotNewHipHop.
On Wednesday (April 10), 94.7 The Block on WXBK played a recording of Mister Cee’s 2022 mix tributing Biggie Smalls on what would’ve been the late rapper’s 50th birthday. “Sky’s The Limit” rang with a different tone amid news that the legendary radio DJ and historic hip-hop cultural contributor, real name Calvin LeBrun, had passed away at the age of 57 due to unknown causes at press time. Also known as The Finisher or The Wallop King, Cee was an instrumental figure in rap from the late 1980s onward. Upon news of his tragic loss, DJ Premier, 50 Cent, DJ Jazzy Jeff, MC Lyte, Peter Rosenberg, Queen Latifah, and many more shared their heartfelt condolences.
Mister Cee is one of the greatest DJs in the history of New York hip-hop, known for over two decades of being one of many figures who made Hot 97 a juggernaut. From Brooklyn’s public-access station 91.5 WNYE to WBLS and his acclaimed mixtapes, he stands as one of the genre’s great tastemakers. The depth of the Brooklyn native’s knowledge, love, and passion for the culture extended not just to his ’80s and ’90s roots, but also to more contemporary talents. While figures like him might be harder to come by with each passing change of the media guard, his hard work is a testament to the power of hip-hop culture and a beacon for any fan, participant, benefactor, or spectator of it.
Mister Cee and Big Daddy Kane appear at a video release party for a music video project on February 11, 1991 in New York City. (Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Calvin LeBrun’s hip-hop story begins as a young Bed-Stuy lad inspired by the World Famous Supreme Team and his late uncle’s crew, DJ Knight and the Knights of Hollywood, to make it in the radio space. His first big break was becoming the DJ of his high school friend Big Daddy Kane in the late 1980s, one of the most significant lyricists of his (and all) time. Mister Cee and his scratches appeared on Kane’s “Mister Cee’s Master Plan” off his 1988 debut, and he nabbed various other credits on the MC’s subsequent albums.
He was also a part of the legendary Juice Crew in the late 1980s alongside Mr. Magic, Roxanne Shante, Kool G Rap, and many more titans whose reverberations are still felt today. Throughout all this, Mister Cee’s popularity as a radio DJ and personality grew exponentially. His shows on Hot 97 and WBLS beginning around 1993 (Throwback at Noon and Friday Night Live) focused on putting on rising artists and playing hip-hop and R&B classics. Even though The Finisher had already etched his name into the history books, an even greater opportunity arrived through a childhood friend.
DJ 50 Grand introduced Mister Cee to a young Biggie Smalls in the early 1990s, and they all re-recorded The Notorious B.I.G.’s demo to get his name out there. Their dreams manifested, as this led to Big’s Bad Boy Records deal and widespread recognition. Cee even got an associate executive producer credit on Biggie’s massive debut album, 1994’s Ready To Die. However, in a November 2023 interview with Rock The Bells, he remembered his Best Of Biggie Smalls mixtape from 1995 as the project that “changed [his] life.” The Wallop King was revered for his 120-minute mixtapes as opposed to 60 or 90-minute material. These were characterized by a non-stop approach to the music that was largely uninterrupted by DJ drops, sounds effects, or run-it-backs.
Mister Cee also joined Funkmaster Flex’s Flip Squad collective of New York DJs, and both got a lyrical shoutout from none other than Jay-Z on his 2009 single “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune).” According to Hot 97, he also helped folks like 50 Cent, Alicia Keys, and Hov himself find the audiences that would lead them to massive success. But after Biggie passed away in 1997, LeBrun knew that he could do more than uplift stars on the come-up. He began paying tribute to hip-hop’s fallen legends on his shows as well, a heartening tradition that he maintained up until his passing.
In 2014, Mister Cee officially left Hot 97 due to differing from its new musical direction. This followed issues surrounding his arrests for prostitution soliciting and controversy stemming from his publicly revealed attraction to transgender women. While this situation was hotly debated at the time, it opened up a larger conversation around homophobia in hip-hop that, although incomplete, has led to significantly progressive strides to combat it. But that doesn’t mean that his hard work ever dwindled or became overshadowed. For example, LeBrun introduced the world to Fetty Wap with his future hit “Trap Queen” in 2014 on Hot 97.
The media industry also celebrated Mister Cee with much respect and adoration, such as his guest appearance in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV as a radio DJ. After leaving Hot 97, he continued to do radio shows, such as WXBX’s aforementioned The Block on 94.7 for throwback classics from hip-hop and R&B, and he posted his mixes online. Cee’s final slot on air was The Set It Off Show on SiriusXM’s Rock The Bells Radio. Testimonies of his greatness, like those from Capitol Records promoter Chris Green, identify him as “the glue between the old and the new” across his many programs. For the indelible seeds he planted and his staunchly good-natured approach to media and hip-hop culture, there is no more fitting or deserved title. Rest In Peace Mister Cee.
We have lost the iconic Mister Cee. 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.
Calvin LeBrun, better known as Mister Cee or DJ Mister Cee, a high-profile personality for New York radio station Hot97, has reportedly died at the age of 57, according to multiple New York hip-hop personalities including MC Lyte and former colleague Peter Rosenberg.
We have lost the iconic Mister Cee. 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.
Cee rose to fame in the pioneering Golden Era of the late ’80s when he worked alongside Brooklyn rapper Big Daddy Kane on his groundbreaking debut album, Long Live The Kane. Cee was also widely credited with being one of the first supporters of The Notorious B.I.G., promoting Biggie’s 1991 demo tape; his support is credited for The Source giving Big early publicity via its “Unsigned Hype” column, which led to Sean “Diddy” Combs hearing the tape and signing Biggie to Uptown, then to the newly formed Bad Boy Records.
Cee became the focal point for a heated debate about sexuality in hip-hop when he was arrested for picking up prostitutes in 2011 — either drag queens or trans women (it’s a little unclear, as coverage back then was less… “enlightened”) — and the controversy sparked widespread discussion across the hip-hop blogosphere. In May 2013, he went on-air to deny being gay but admit to enjoying “fellatio with a transsexual: a man that looks like a woman.” Again, the language of the time was a lot less precise and discussion was a bit rougher — although not by much (see: J. Cole’s “Pi” verse).
Although no cause of death for Mister Cee has been reported, social media is already alight with respectful homages and well-wishes for his family, friends, and former co-workers at Hot97. He’s got a legacy set in stone, and he will be missed.
Mister Cee, one of the top-flight DJs in hip-hop history and a beloved figure in the community, has passed away at the age of 57. HipHopDX and numerous publications have confirmed the news. Mister Cee’s contributions will never go unnoticed, especially due to their incredible impact. Born in 1966 and raised in Brooklyn, New York, his name is tied to influential rap groups and iconic artists such as Biggie. Furthermore, his other major work was done at some of the most well-known New York stations like RADIO 103.9 and Hot 97. The news of Mister Cee’s passing has been leaving everyone in shock as they send their thoughts and prayers to his family.
Just yesterday, Cee promoted a new show for Rock The Bells Radio on his social media. “2NITE!!! THE SET IT OFF SHOW WIT @djmistercee AIRING MON-THURS 10PM-12MID(EAST COAST) 7PM-9PM(WEST COAST) ON LL COOL J @llcoolj ROCK THE BELLS RADIO @rockthebells ON SIRIUS XM CHANNEL 43!!! @siriusxm PLAYING CLASSIC/TIMELESS HIP HOP FROM THE 80’s 90’s & 2000’S!!!”
We have lost the iconic Mister Cee. 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.
Cee’s peers have been remembering him across social media platforms including Peter Roseberg. “We have lost the iconic Mister Cee. 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.” He even had to wrap up one of his shows early today after finding this tragic news out. At the time of writing, his cause of death is a developing story. Rest in peace Mister Cee aka “The Finisher.”
What are your thoughts on Mister Cee passing away? What will you remember him most for? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Mister Cee and this developing story. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the world of music. Our thoughts and condolences go out Mister Cee’s family and friends during this difficult time.
Rest in peace to DJ Mister Cee. News about the late New York and hip-hop icon is pouring into social media.
Born Calvin LeBrun on Aug. 17, 1966, Mister Cee had a storied career as an american DJ, broadcaster, record executive, and radio personality on New York’s 103.9 and Hot 97.
Known as “The Finisher,” Mister Cee also executive produced The Notorious B.I.G.’s 1994 debut album, Ready to Die. He most recently could be heard on Rock the Bells radio on SiriusXM and contributing to 94.7 FM The Block, amongst other hosting and events across the New York City area.
The Source will update this post with more details from Mister Cee’s family as they become available.
Messages remembering Mister Cee will be shared below.
We have lost the iconic Mister Cee. 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.
R.I.P to the legend MR. Cee God bless him, to all his family and friends I send my condolences. 
Damn yo smh 
