Celebrating The Legacy Of DJ Mister Cee: A Pioneer In Hip-Hop History

I had the privilege of admiring my Uncle Calvin from afar. Considering he was a renowned disc jockey, more commonly known as DJ Mister Cee, I didn’t see much of him growing up—mostly at family gatherings, or while he was working various events around New York City. Still, from hearing his voice on the radio to seeing his soda sold in stores, Calvin LeBrun, a.k.a. DJ Mister Cee, became an influential figure in my life. He also happened to be a hip-hop giant.

Known as “The Finisher,” DJ Mister Cee played a critical role in helping introduce Biggie Smalls—a.k.a. “The Notorious B.I.G.”—to the world. His contributions to hip-hop are undeniable, yet, in recent years, some promoters and critics have tried to downplay his accomplishments. However, you can’t rewrite hip-hop history or overlook Mister Cee’s significant role in it.

Working With Biggie Smalls

Calvin LeBrun was born on August 17, 1966, and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He was of Trinidadian descent and raised in the borough’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood in Lafayette Gardens, a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) complex known as the “LG projects.” His grandparents raised him, and he grew up listening to hits by artists such as Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder. He always recounted how his late uncle Barry, a DJ on a crew called DJ Knight and the Knights of Hollywood, fostered his love for music and taught him the trade.

During his senior year at Sarah J. Hill High School, LeBrun met Antonio Hardy, known as Big Daddy Kane, and became Hardy’s official DJ. They joined the iconic hip-hop group, the Juice Crew, in 1988. After high school, LeBrun worked for several messenger companies, including Airborne Express, which he quit after the release of Big Daddy Kane’s first album, Long Live the Kane, in 1988.

In 1992, he was introduced to Christopher Wallace, who would become known as Biggie Smalls. LeBrun collaborated with Wallace to transform his original home-based demo into a four-track sample that helped kickstart the rapper’s career. He recalled, “The plan was we were going to redo the basement demo that he and 50 Grand put together. We had a little cheesy mic that was better than the mic 50 Grand had at his house.”

The Freestyle With Tupac

One of the most memorable moments from LeBrun’s relationship with Biggie occurred at the 1993 Budweiser Superfest. The festival, held at Madison Square Garden in New York, primarily featured R&B and soul acts like Bell Biv DeVoe and Patti LaBelle. However, Big Daddy Kane put on a hip-hop show to remember, featuring Tupac Shakur, Biggie, and others.

“We were the only hip-hop act on the show,” LeBrun recalled. “We had 10 minutes, and so Kane just decided to bring everybody on stage.” My father, Darrell LeBrun, noted how Calvin played a famous breakbeat before Kane introduced his special guest to the crowd. The moment was electrifying as Kane yelled, “Where’s Tupac and Biggie?” and the crowd erupted.

Big Scoob kicked off the freestyle rap, followed by Biggie’s now-famous line, “Where’s Brooklyn at? Where’s Brooklyn at?” Tupac quickly joined in, and LeBrun was able to record the session. Earlier that day, despite refusal from the sound technician to allow any recording, LeBrun wouldn’t take no for an answer. He purchased a cassette and managed to record the set, which wouldn’t gain popularity until after Biggie’s shocking death in March 1997.

How DJ Mister Cee Became a Mixtape Master

Calvin LeBrun transitioned from working for Big Daddy Kane to becoming a DJ on HOT97, New York City’s top hip-hop station. He took the air every day for the throwback at noon, as well as on Fridays for “Friday Night Live.” His ability to command a set filled with love and good vibes made him a beloved figure in the hip-hop community.

During this time, LeBrun started a “Best Of” mixtape series. In 1995, a year after Biggie’s debut album release, he released the Best of Biggie mixtape, featuring the Madison Square Garden show and other classics. He later created mixtapes for Jay-Z, Method Man, and others, cementing his status in the hip-hop world.

LeBrun was the first to play records for many artists on the radio and in clubs. While primarily known for advancing Biggie’s career, he also paved the way for performers like 50 Cent and Alicia Keys. His savvy business skills included establishing an endorsement deal with the Tropical Fantasy soft drink brand and lending his voice to the 2008 video game Grand Theft Auto IV.

The Challenges Behind the Scenes

Behind the scenes, LeBrun faced legal troubles. He was arrested in May 2013 for allegedly soliciting an undercover police officer posing as a prostitute. A couple of months later, he resigned from HOT97 after an audio recording depicted him allegedly offering a drag queen money for sex. LeBrun was candid about this tumultuous time in his life, recalling it in multiple interviews.

Although he returned to HOT97, he ultimately resigned again in November 2014 after 21 years as a DJ for the station. He later worked at WXBK 94.7 until his untimely death on April 10, 2024, from diabetes-related coronary artery and kidney disease.

LeBrun dedicated nearly 40 years to his craft as a DJ, building a legacy that won't be forgotten. Just as his uncle helped foster his love for music, he fostered many others' love for hip-hop, including mine. For that reason, I am thankful.