Mister Cee, a beloved and influential figure in hip-hop, who served as the DJ for rapper Big Daddy Kane and is credited with helping to discover The Notorious B.I.G., has died, according to his former employer, New York’s Hot 97 hip-hop radio station.
He was 57.
“As a family at HOT 97 and WBLS, we’re deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved Mister Cee,” reads the statement posted on Hot 97’s site. “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.”
“Mr. Cee’s influence stretched far beyond the airwaves, shaping the very fabric of NYC’s DJ culture,” the statement goes on to read. “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.”
No cause of death was shared.
Longtime New York radio personality DJ Mister Cee, who became a staple in hip-hop by working with rap greats like Big Daddy Kane and The Notorious B.I.G, has died, according to former workplace, HOT 97. He was 57.
The hip-hop radio station, where he worked for 21 years and became known as the host of the “Throwback at Noon” show, shared the news Wednesday after receiving confirmation from the Brooklyn-born DJ’s family.
“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; he was a pillar of our stations, bringing joy to countless listeners with his legendary ‘Throwback at Noon’ and ‘Friday Night Live’ sets,” reads a statement from the radio station.
It continues, “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.”
SiriusXM, where Mr. Cee could be heard during the 7 p.m. timeslot of LL Cool J’s Rock the Bells Radio with his show, “The Set It Off Show,” also shared news of the DJ’s death.
The channel would honor the radio host throughout the day, including at 9 p.m. Wednesday during Torae’s “That Raw” show, which will host a live tribute show, according to SiriusXM.
The radio station where he was working at the time of his death, 94.7 The Block, posted a tribute to Mr. Cee on Instagram with a caption that read, “The @947theblock family are devastated. We’ve lost one of the most important figures in the industry. Please keep the @djmistercee family, fans and colleagues in your Prayers!”
Also known as “The Finisher” and born Calvin LeBrun, Mister Cee is credited with Biggie Smalls’ rise in the industry as he helped produce the rap legend’s 1994 debut, “Ready To Die.” He was also high school classmates with Big Daddy Kane and was featured on his debut album, “Long Live the Kane,” in 1988.
