Most DJs spend their entire life in the shadows. No matter how well they control the crowd or dazzle on the decks, they remain anonymous lost in the darkness. Yet Cipha Sounds is not most DJs. Whether hosting HOT 97 Morning Show for over 7 years, DJing and doing stand-up around the world, or producing & hosting his own comedy shows Cipha radiates personality, driving every project. “Double Stuf Comedy” at The Stand or his improv show “Take It Personal” at UCB theatre are just a few of the current shows taking over the city. Just as comfortable on stage as he is behind the turntables, Cipha has carved out a distinct voice in music and comedy over the past 15 years.

Cipha got his first break interning for Funkmaster Flex and earned opening slots at legendary NYC nightspots like the Tunnel and the Palladium. Soon after that, Cipha found himself spinning for Lil Kim, Mos Def and Jay-Z on national tours, and rocking private parties & album release galas for superstars like P. Diddy, Eminem and Mariah Carey. Most importantly, Cipha learned how to break new records, helping turn once-unknowns like Sean Paul, 50 Cent, Pitbull, Rick Ross, Rihanna into superstars, while maintaining a healthy sense of humor on the mic.

Cipha’s ear for talent made him a natural A&R executive, a position he has held with labels ranging from Rawkus, Tommy Boy , Neptunes’ Star Trak imprint with Pharrell Williams, and Roc-A-Fella with Jay-Z. In 2003, he took an even bigger leap into the music industry and began hosting “Sucker Free” and “TRL” on MTV. In the past few months Cipha has become the first comedian to sign to ROCNATION management and has teamed up with Alicia Keys to develop a Television Series.