New York City DJ Mister Cee dies at age 57, Hot97 confirms

NEW YORK -- Legendary New York City DJ Mister Cee has died, the radio station Hot97 confirmed Wednesday.

Mister Cee, whose real name was Calvin LeBrun, was an influential figure in hip-hop. He was the DJ for Big Daddy Kane and his producing work for Biggie Smalls -- the Notorious B.I.G. -- helped launch the rapper to superstardom.

Mister Cee's "Throwback at Noon" show on Hot97 was one of the most popular programs at its time. More recently, he was on Audacy's "94.7 The Block."

"He was on the airwaves for Hot97, shaping and molding the culture," said Chuck Creekmur, CEO of AllHipHop.com.

CBS New York spoke to Mister Cee in 2023 as New York City celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and reflected on how the music and culture has changed over the decades.

"Back then, we was just getting like cassette tapes ... and these cassette tapes would float all around the city, so that was our email so to speak," Mister Cee said at the time.

His craft started early on from his home in Brooklyn, where his heart always was.

"He called himself 'the Finisher' because he was the man that would close out the set, the party," Creekmur said.

After his family announced his death Wednesday, reactions poured in from the music, including DJ Jazzy Jeff, who posted, "Rest in peace DJ Mister Cee."

Hot97's Peter Rosenberg remembered him as "one of the most important and impactful DJs of all time."

"Mister Cee knew that he was loved. He felt that love from our community everywhere he went," Creekmur said.

Mister Cee was 57 years old. His cause of death has not been released.