Who was DJ Mister Cee?

THE music industry lost one of its own on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, with the passing of legendary DJ and record producer, DJ Mister Cee.

In recent years, DJ Mister Cee was best known as a broadcaster and New York City radio personality, but the iconic DJ will leave behind a legacy that places him among hip-hop’s most legendary stars.

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Who was DJ Mister Cee?

DJ Mister Cee was an American DJ, radio personality, and record producer.

He was born on August 17, 1966, in New York City.

Mister Cee was raised in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn.

During high school, he met rapper Big Daddy Kane, who inspired him to pursue a career in the music industry.

Antonio Hardy, known professionally as Big Daddy Kane, is best known for his iconic work as a hip-hop MC, or master of ceremonies.

After graduating high school, Mister Cee worked as a messenger for several companies, including Airborne Express, to support himself while making music.

In 1988, he and Big Daddy Kane released Kane’s debut album, Long Live the Kane.

To this day, the album is regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop albums of all time.

Beyond recording music for some of hip-hop’s biggest names, Mister Cee was also a member of two influential groups throughout his career.

In 1998, he joined The Flip Squad, a group of NYC hip-hop DJs.

The group, founded by Funkmaster Flex, also included Big Kap, Biz Markie, DJ Enuff, Cipha Sounds, Frankie Cutlass, DJ Riz, Mark Ronson, and DJ Doo Wop.

DJ Mister Cee was also a part of the Juice Crew, a hip-hop collective made up of artists based in and around Queensbridge.

Also known as the Queensbridge Houses, the public housing development is located in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens.

Notable members included DJ Mr. Magic, MC Shan, Masta Ace, Big Daddy Kane, Craig G, Kool G Rap, and Biz Markie.

In recent years, DJ Mister Cee was also known to moonlight as a radio personality on New York’s Radio 103.9 station.

The station used to play urban adult contemporary music, but as of 2024, differs from Cee’s hip-hop roots as it plays predominantly traditional Christian music.

Still, DJ Mister Cee found time to continue pursuing his hip-hop dreams, regularly playing at events around New York City.

While DJ Mister Cee’s cause of death is still unknown, tributes have begun to pour in from famous collaborators and fans alike.

“We have lost the iconic Mister Cee,” tweeted radio DJ and TV presenter Peter Rosenberg.

“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 added.

“RIP to an absolute legend,” tweeted one X user.

“RIP Mr. Cee gone but never will be forgotten,” wrote another, alongside multiple praying hands emojis.

The G-Listed, Waddie G’s blog on “pop culture, gay culture, Black culture, love, travel, and social,” also tweeted their condolences.

“Rest In Power to the legendary DJ Mister Cee,” they began.

“His legacy lives in the golden era of hip-hop every since he executive produced the debut albums of Kool Moe Dee and The Notorious B.I.G.”

“His 30+ year deejay career was also influential in NYC’s hip-hop and rap radio stations and events. Rest well, Legend!”

Which albums did Mister Cee produce?

Despite his most famous moniker, DJ Mister Cee wasn’t just a DJ.

He was also a talented record producer, producing tracks and albums for some of hip-hop’s biggest names.

His “biggest” client, no pun intended, was rapper Christopher George Latore Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or just “Biggie.”

DJ Mister Cee was partly responsible for discovering Biggie, too.

After Biggie’s release from jail in 1991, he made a demo tape, Microphone Murderer, which was promoted by the Juice Crew.

The tape eventually made its way into the hands of Sean “Puffy” Combs, also known as Diddy, who signed Biggie to his label on July 14, 1992.

DJ Mister Cee became the associate producer for Biggie’s 1994 debut studio album, Ready to Die, which included the hit singles Juicy and Big Poppa.

DJ Mister Cee also produced the 1995 mixtape, The Best of Biggie, which features “a variety of b-sides, remixes, and unreleased tracks including his appearance at MSG with Kane and Pac, and his incredible freestyle over 5 minutes of West Coast beats,” according to Mix Cloud.

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What was Mister Cee’s real name?

DJ Mister Cee went by several stage names throughout his decades-long career.

This includes the stage name Mister Cee, which he went by for the majority of his career.

He also went by The Finisher and The Wallop King at different points of his life.

His real name, however, was Calvin LeBrun.

According to his Instagram, DJ Mister Cee still used one of his older monikers, The Wallop King, as his booking email.

He was also regularly booked as “The Finisher, Mister Cee.”

DJ Mister Cee also had a few variations of his iconic stage names, including DJ Mista Cee, Mister C, Mr. Cee, and Mr. C., according to Discogs.