Mister Cee, Legendary New York City DJ, Dead at 57

Mister Cee, a longtime DJ for New York City’s Hot 97 radio station, has died at 57 years old.

Hot 97 reports that Mister Cee’s family has confirmed his passing, but the cause of death is currently unknown.

“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,” the station said in a statement. “Mr. Cee’s influence stretched far beyond the airwaves, shaping the very fabric of NYC’s DJ culture.”

Born Calvin LeBrun in the Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, Mister Cee broke into hip-hop during the late 1980s as pioneering rapper Big Daddy Kane’s official DJ.

Mister Cee was also one of The Notorious B.I.G.’s earliest supporters. In addition to helping to promote Biggie’s 1991 demo tape, he would serve as an executive producer on the rapper’s classic debut album, Ready to Die.

But it was at Hot 97 where Mister Cee made his most impact. During more than two decades at the station, he also helped launch the careers of superstars like JAY-Z, 50 Cent, Alicia Keys, and many more.

At the time of his death, Mister Cee was DJing for the New York City area station 94.7 The Block.

See tributes to Mister Cee from the hip-hop community 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.

— Peter Rosenberg (@Rosenbergradio) April 10, 2024