Essentially, if it wasn’t for Calvin LeBrun, hip hop may have never gotten one of its most influential rappers of a generation and perhaps of all time.
LeBrun, also known as DJ Mister Cee, passed away today (April 10). Born in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY in 1966, Cee would meet fellow legend Big Daddy Kane in high school and would become his deejay, launching a career that would take him around the world and ultimately landed a gig at NYC’s Hot 97 radio station for several years. In the 90s, he would be introduced to (yet another legend) The Notorious B.I.G. and would help record his demo tape, and was essentially the catalyst that got Biggie signed to Bad Boy Records.
Cee was also a talented producer as well, nothing placements on both Kane’s 1988 debut album Long Live The Kane and B.I.G.’s 1994 debut Ready To Die, and was an associate executive producer on the latter.
He was 57. The cause of death, at the time of this piece, is unknown.
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Best guide to hip hop, soul, reggae concerts & events in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles & New York City + music, videos, radio and more
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Saturday, Nov 7 @ Greek Theatre, Berkeley
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Saturday, Nov 14 @ Fox Theater, Oakland
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Thursday-Sunday, Nov 19-21 @ Fox Theater, Oakland
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Saturday, Nov. 21 @ UC Theatre, Berkeley
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