Cipha Sounds is unfiltered on latest podcast.
Update 2: Cipha Sounds (somewhat) addresses leaving H0t 97 on this week’s episodes of both his own Juan Epstein Podcast, as well as The Combat Jack Show. In both podcast’s he issues a new statement, in a way only Ciph could:
Hot 97 is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I have ever known in my life.
He also speaks on the new improv related TV series he is working on with Alicia Keys, life after Hot 97, being an Uber drivier, weight loss, and a lot more. Check both podcasts out, and keep up with the latest on Cipha (including the dates he is appearing at comedy venues in NY, like the legendary Comedy Cellar) via his Instagram
For residents of New York City and the surrounding tri-state area, there are a few names that are synonymous with Hot 97 and urban radio in general. Of course media icon Funkmaster Flex, DJ Cipha Sounds and Angie Martinez, who recently parted ways with the station, joining the rival Power 105.1. Cipha, who has been with Hot 97 for over 17 years, made his bones as an on-air personality, club DJ and record producer. In recent years, he has expanded his repertoire to include his love of stand-up & improv comedy.
In the fallout of Angie Martinez’ abrupt announcement that she would be leaving her coveted 3pm time slot at Hot 97 to join rival station Power 105.1, it was revealed that Cipha Sounds would be taking on the spot she left behind (until further notice). Ciph was then placed at the 12am More Fire Mix time slot alongside DJ Drewski. With so many moving parts, today Cipha revealed that he has felt some level of discontent and frustration with the way things have panned out.
While speaking with colleague Peter Rosenberg on their hugely popular Juan Epstein podcast, Cipha Sounds explained his side of events following Angie’s departure.
“I never knew if it was mine if I could make it mine, I would’ve loved it,” Cipha replied. “One boss told me one thing, another boss told me another thing, they then fired one of those bosses, another boss came in an told me one things, and then a boss of another station came in and became our boss and told me another thing. All nice people, all different opinions on what the show should be and how it should run.”
It has also been revealed in the past that Power 105.1 has offered him a position with the station in the past but he declined because of a justified sense of loyalty to Hot 97. Within the past month, it was announced that California native Nessa Nitty would join the station, taking over Angie’s old time slot. Though he clarified he has no issues with Nitty, (having reached out to her before the podcast aired), he says he would have preferred that the higher ups at Hot 97 told him about the decision to bring her on prior.
“The girl who got the show, oh they’ve wanted her for a long time they have a hard on for her. So then why didn’t you tell me?”
Through it all, Cipha Sounds expressed a sincere level of uncertainty in regards to his future but maintained that regardless of if he remains at Hot 97 or not, above all, he wants the station to be highly successful.
Listen to the podcast in its entirety below.
UPDATE: After voicing his frustrations on yesterday’s episode of Juan Epstein, the afternoon podcast he hosts with Peter Rosenberg, the tenured and revered DJ Cipha Sounds has announced his departure from HOT 97 in an official press release, effective immediately. Read it below.
For Immediate Release
