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The Enduring Legacy of DJ Mister Cee

The Enduring Legacy of DJ Mister Cee

Published Wed, April 10, 2024 at 5:45 PM EDT

The family of Brooklyn's DJ Mister Cee has confirmed that he has passed. For more than 3 years Mister Cee hosted the 'Set It Off' show on Rock The Bells Radio.

"Who's the man with the master plan?" That question is asked and answered on "Mister Cee's Master Plan" from Big Daddy Kane's debut album, Long Live The Kane. In addition to being Kane's DJ, Mister Cee contributed much to our Hip-Hop culture, including his role in bringing the world The Notorious B.I.G., his role in growing New York radio station Hot 97, and giving the world its first 2 hour mix tapes.

Mister Cee told Rock The Bells that he was inspired to DJ growing up in his grandparents house under the tutelage of his uncle Barry and his next door neighbor. "They were in a DJ crew called DJ Knight and the Knights of Hollywood. That's how I started to learn to DJ," Cee revealed.

"Because of my uncle and his next-door neighbor I'm a DJ. Growing up with my grandparents, I heard all types of music playing. Gladys Knight to Stevie Wonder to The Jackson Five. I never had an interest in rapping. It was always music, music, music for me. Music was always playing in my house, and then radio in New York got popular. 

I started listening to the World Famous Supreme Team, Awesome Two, Teddy Ted and Special K. Super Rockin' Mr. Magic with Marley Marl, Chuck Chillout and Red Alert. This turned into my passion for deejaying and having that dream that one day I wanted to be on the radio."

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No DJ was doing 120-minute tapes, one hour on each side. I was always making 120-minute tapes never making 60 or 90-minute tapes. I wanted to be unique.

- Mister Cee to Rock The Bells, 2023

Matty C's "Unsigned Hype" column in the legendary Source Magazine led to the signing of many Hip-Hop artists who are now iconic. The Notorious B.I.G. is one of them, and Mr. Cee brought Biggie's demo to Matty. Matty says that it was neither his nor Mister Cee’s intention originally to shop B.I.G.’s demo.

“50 Grand, Biggie’s original D.J. who recorded the demo in his basement gave it to Mister Cee," Matty says. "Cee was dealing with MC Outloud and he wasn’t Biggie’s guy, 50 Grand was, and he knew Mister Cee from the neighborhood. Puff called me, or at least Havoc tells me that Puff called because he was a fan of Mobb Deep and they were featured on Unsigned Hype. When they got their deal on 4th & Broadway it wasn’t much later when he called and asked ‘What else you got?’ Mister Cee was named associate producer on The Notorious B.I.G.'s debut album Ready To Die.

 

Mr. Cee and Big Daddy Kane

Mister Cee played an integral part in the success of New York's Hot 97. "He wasn’t just a DJ; he was a pillar of our stations, bringing joy to countless listeners with his legendary Throwback at Noon and Friday Night Live sets," Hot 97 said in a statement. "Mr. Cee’s influence stretched far beyond the airwaves, shaping the very fabric of NYC’s DJ culture."

Mister Cee has received an outpouring of love from the Hip-Hop community.

"I'm heartbroken, wasn't expecting this at all God bless his soul" MC Lyte.

"The party will never be the same. You will be missed my brother, our friendship is forever," Roxanne Shante

"My Heart is broken! All that knew him loved him. Take the music to heaven and put the Wallop down! Rest in Peace" Ed Lover

"The Juice Crew loses another brother. God have mercy on his soul" Fly Ty

Rest In Peace DJ Mister Cee

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