I Thought We Were Celebrating DJ Mister Cee?

HOW WE DOING A PANEL DISCUSSION TO TALK ABOUT DJ MISTER CEE AND B.I.G AND WE AIN'T TALKING ABOUT NOBODY BUT OURSELVES?

What was supposed to be a night of sharing and preserving the culture that is Hip Hop, in my opinion, was a flagrant image of truth when it came to media and music. Opportunistic hands were dealt with the focus being on oneself, as opposed to the reason why fans of B.I.G and DJ, Mister Cee were gathered in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn in the first place. The real reason we were there was to celebrate the life of Mister Cee and what had happened was, it turned into an hour and a half of personal storytelling; none of which having anything to do with the legacy of the pioneering rap dyad.

So here we are, listening to a panel discussion with influencers in the music, media and art industries, sharing their experiences. And I failed to hear the phrase “…and what Mister Cee said… what Mister Cee did/showed/had…;” I failed to hear that as the follow up for each experience given to the audience.

The panel had a DJ, (Thank God) an on air-personality, an artist who is known for his creative work-making those important to hip hop, concrete through his landmarked sculptures , and a label executive. I’m not going to name drop in this opinion piece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2pqNRRH3vM

The Billie Holiday Theater presented an opportunity for promotion and subliminal findings; yet not supported by the judiciary. All having nothing to do with keeping the legacy of Mister Cee. But it wasn’t that bad. There were moments shared of humbled beginnings, relationship building on common interest, and then some. But none that related to the experiences or mirroring that reflected Mister Cee or he and B.I.G. inclusively. They stole the audience for themselves. I did not hear, other than from the DJ present, a story; having nothing to do with the business or the elevation within these industries. Instead it was the premise and foci for a well put together event. Sharing the world of radio as a DJ and the influence Mister Cee gave to us all, helped to be the glue in saving the evening.

The DJ gave us a story that infused broadcasting, programming, music rotations and A&Ring for the perfect production. The DJ panelist didn’t mention this but, Mister Cee had a gripe with labels for the way they released music and expressed countless times over and over how it was the job of the DJ to let them know what was good music, what the people wanted to hear and what they needed to play. This often led into conversations about shelving great artists (until they were ready; the label) but that’s another story yet to be written… or streamed.

From this professional in music and radio’s point of view (I'm talking about the DJ), I heard about the day when there was no answer or usual routine from Mister Cee and how the inkling of something being wrong began to take precedence. From Mr. DJ, I heard the passion for the preservation of the culture and how Mister Cee left that with us.

From his station-mates, the on air- personality, there was nothing. However, I can recount a time when Mister Cee was at “Hot 97.1FM,” and he gave the luminary her flowers; many times and then again when making the switch to “94.7FM The Block.” Maybe she was one of the many few that he had a lot of respect for having not received her proper credit for her contribution to radio. I’m speculating only because her name was dropped. This possibly being the reason for nothing to be shared about “The Finisher.” You know the saying “…having too many people in your business…not having your best interest at heart…” Not anything. Not even words of conviction or expression about his untimely death. No clarification for what was noticeable in the days that led. No dialogue shared; no stories told. Nothing. Maybe it’s how he wanted it. If you didn’t care then, finish what you started. But a mini interview would’ve been the perfect opportunity (since everyone is being opportunistic at the Billie Holiday) to share those accolades and personal achievement acknowledgements alongside the “origin stories” told. Those took up almost an hour and a half of a two-hour segment dedicated to B.I.G and Mister. Cee.

The label affiliate there offered nothing other than talk of business ventures past, that the panel chose not to hear-but I heard it! Thievery, not under the rug but to your face for anybody who would listen to hear and understand to say something. Having the right “…choice of words…” is what Mister Cee would say, to address that. Another conversation, that I will not put in this opinion piece but will save to vent at another time-not to be forgotten.

Segwaying back to the point of purpose, when these individuals pass on, we as the fans, the content creators, the podcasters, the “new age journalist” look for the stories to be able to pass down as it is our right to hear, let it be heard and carry on with this art. It’s important to talk about culture; that is what DJ Mister Cee spoke about how “…it will die out unless someone is there to protect it…”

It was sad. It was sad to me. The disillusion of humanistic behavior on the day to day with respect to being in the workplace. The professionalism behind it all and you can't recall anything to share for us; the fans? The audience? Thirty years of hip hop culture and you have nothing to share? God Bless the DJ. This is not a gatekeeping matter. Whoever was supposed to be there was there. This was supposed to be a safe space to share. If you didn't know what to say, you could've blurted out something while respecting his life and legacy. Again, “God Bless The DJ.”

I kept my focus on the radio personality and am a bit angry because their job is to give us, the audience, facts dealing with current events in music, the arts and media. It is also their investigative duty to educate themselves as well as the audience on the purpose, which was Mister Cee and the best sources would be through his mixes and experiences. We couldn’t share in that together? All pre-recorded by the way and still online. I mean you don’t remember when “Ether” came out? When Mister Cee presented us with a confliction in picking a side; being careful not to add on to the beef? He came on the air and let the people decide who really won. Just something I remember on that day. And just with that as the example, the art of expression as a personality, through music, he didn’t touch you in some way aesthetically?

This was a safe space for sharing, reminiscing and invoking inspiration for the youth and fans who came from parts of The Bronx, North Queens, Harlem and (those who struggled to get out their homes, in the rain, who lived right around the corner) in Brooklyn. To bring that old thing back from those who still showed love. To say no one cared, on a rainy Thursday would be an understatement.

We hear the story of B.I.G all the time; it will never be forgotten. But Mister Cee, through the DJ, showed his importance, as he elaborated on over and over; it’s just unprofessional for anybody on that panel, (excluding the DJ) involved in the art of storytelling, to not give their 1- 2 about him. I mean, I’m not heavily affiliated but I know enough from a fans point of view that I could’ve spoken on the panel and allowed the memories to resurface to show off his contribution and leave something.

I can share my experiences. He threw a pen at me at the A.B.G Schultz Middle School in Hempstead Long Island. He was the DJ for a step competition and he threw a pen at me- because I wanted him to sign his-self poster. Maybe three to five years later, he came to pick up an order from the Olive Garden I was working at. I had to press the issue. But because he was such a guarded individual, it was kind of hard to get him to express any type of empathy that would equate to him being a “symp” or “soft.” He just really didn’t care. He just wanted his food. That experience ended up turning into a family shared one where we laughed it off and he apologized for what he didn’t remember. What made the whole experience better was that Olive Garden didn’t know who he was and after all the commotion was settled his breadsticks were warmer, the food was made and packed neater. So, it became an added chapter entered into the art of storytelling hip hop compilation; preserving his namesake and ensuring his life continues to live through the culture and the communities served throughout his musical career.

Those who knew Mister Cee, first hand, having been within his circumference can attest, he wasn’t the type of individual that wanted you to kiss his ass or as he would say, “vice a versa,” He kept a small circle.

Lets have something to share with generations to come about the DJs from Hip Hop’s Golden Era; “…the way it ought to be done…I hope you will still remember me…” As he wanted it to be.