Before signing with Eminem and releasing his hugely successful debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, in 2003, 50 Cent was an emerging New York rap star beefing with peers and blackballed by industry insiders while atop of the mixtape era. When 50 was blackballed, Hot 97’s Mister Cee stood by him and aided him in his early success. This was revealed by 50 during the latest interview of the Million Dollarz Worth of Game podcast.
50 credits Mister Cee as coming along in a crucial part of his career when asked by podcast’s host Wallo who supported him when New York tried to blackball him. “Mister Cee created the first show that I did, Downtown Manhattan,” answered 50 Cent “He showed up at a time, it was so crucial. I was so f*cked up. I made it to a point where I was doing shows for $8,000.”
Calvin LeBrun, better known as Mister Cee or The Finisher, was an instrumental part of several careers along the way from Big Daddy Kane to Roxane Shante to The Notorious B.I.G. to Fetty Wap. Mister Cee became an icon as a radio DJ at Hot 97 in the early 90s. Peter Rosenberg called Mister Cee “one of the most important and impactful DJs of all time”
Mister Cee passed away in April at 57. His 37-year career in Hip-Hop was fraught with controversy and 50 Cent acknowledged it and shared that he was always there for the DJ.
While explaining Mister Cee’s involvement in his career, 50 said, “Even when the funny sh*t came out … I’m like, ‘I’m not involved in any of your personal choices. What he do on when he on his personal time, that’s his personal time. I was always there for him. Even his funeral, I paid for his funeral.”
Held in Downtown Brooklyn, the Mister Cee’s memorial was attended by many in hip hop, including Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, and Fatman Scoop, who passed away on Saturday (August 31).
Hot 97 held a tribute set honoring Mister Cee at this year’s Summer Jam which included performances by Big Daddy Kane.