Mister Cee

Biography

Calvin LeBrun (August 17, 1966 – April 10, 2024), known professionally as Mister Cee or DJ Mister Cee, was an American DJ, broadcaster, and radio personality. He guest appeared on Big Daddy Kane's 1988 debut album Long Live the Kane and served as associate executive producer for the Notorious B.I.G.'s debut album, Ready to Die (1994); widely considered to be a pioneering figure in 1990's East Coast hip hop, LeBrun is often credited with having discovered both rappers.

Life and career

LeBrun was born on August 17, 1966, in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City. At a young age, he learned how to DJ from a crew called DJ Knight and the Knights of Hollywood. In high school, he met rapper Big Daddy Kane. After graduation, he worked for several messenger companies, including Airborne Express, until he began deejaying for Kane in the late 1980s. He appeared on the track "Mister Cee's Master Plan" from Kane's 1988 debut album, Long Live the Kane, and was a member of the Juice Crew, alongside rapper Roxanne Shante.
In the early 1990s, he gained popularity as a radio DJ, showcasing the music of rising artists. His radio shows Throwback at Noon and Friday Night Live would air respectively on New York radio stations Hot97 and WBLS. During this time, LeBrun discovered the Notorious B.I.G., otherwise known as Biggie Smalls, after meeting the rapper through his DJ 50 Grand. He would serve as B.I.G.’s mentor, help record B.I.G.'s demo and facilitate the deal that got Notorious B.I.G. signed by Sean "Diddy" Combs to Bad Boy Records.
In 1998, LeBrun became a member of The Flip Squad, which included Mark Ronson. He influenced many popular artists, including Alicia Keys, and was referenced in Jay-Z's Death of Autotune. He was one of the first DJs to play Fetty Wap's "Trap Queen" in 2014, helping launch the rapper's career. Aside from his contributions in music, LeBrun also helped develop a new flavor called "Island Punch Finisher" for Tropical Fantasy soft drinks. In 2008, the video game Grand Theft Auto IV featured a realistic Mister Cee character on a rap radio station titled "102.7, the Beat".
In 2013, his sexuality entered the public debate after his repeated arrests for soliciting prostitution from trans women. Challenged by his radio cohost Ebro Darden, he was partly secretive, but denied being gay. The controversy persisted until he publicly acknowledged that, while not seeking sex with trans women, he had sought activities such as oral sex, and questioned his sexuality. As a result of the controversy and the station's new plans for music, he resigned from Hot97 temporarily in 2013 and permanently in 2014, moving to his show on WXBK. Despite the prevalence of homophobia in the hip hop community, he received support from many notable hip hop figures, including Questlove. Addressing the incident in 2021 on a podcast hosted by Maino, LeBrun said that being outed made him feel dead and likened the experience to a funeral, stating that in his mind "a whole funeral scene unfolded: who came and didn’t come, who was mourning, who was laughing from the back of the pews." In the same interview he identified himself as a "Try-sexual" meaning that he was "willing to try anything", and affirmed that he was attracted to trans women.
In 2020, LeBrun became the host of
SiriusXM's “The Set It Off Show” on LL Cool J's Rock the Bells Radio, a position he held until his death.

Death

LeBrun died in New York City on April 10, 2024, at the age of 57 due to "diabetes-related coronary artery/kidney disease." LeBrun's cause of death was confirmed in an official statement from the family. Numerous recording artists and broadcasters expressed their condolences on social media, including 50 Cent, Faith Evans, Queen Latifah, Fat Joe, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Chuck D, Busta Rhymes, Raekwon, Ed Lover, Memphis Bleek, MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane, DJ Jazzy Jeff, journalist Elliott Wilson, and Hot 97 DJ Peter Rosenberg.

Legacy

LeBrun is considered a legendary figure in hip-hop and one of the greatest DJs of all time. DJ Premier called Mister Cee an "icon", 50 Cent called Mister Cee a "legend", and Peter Rosenberg called Mister Cee "one of the most important and impactful DJs of all time". Common called Mister Cee "one of the most important people ever in hip-hop" and said "thank you for what you’ve done for the Culture, the Music and for Us." Wyclef Jean added that Mister Cee was “one of the greatest pillars of hip-hop music”. Busta Rhymes stated, "I just want people to understand how much Mister Cee really meant. I hope everybody can understand how significant of a blow this is to our culture as a whole...we’re not letting Mister Cee’s legacy die. We’re going to make sure your legend lives for infinity."