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United States Cipha Sounds has transitioned from a renowned hip-hop DJ and radio personality to a respected stand-up comedian and television host.
Since then he has DJ'd for Mos Def, Jay Z and Rihanna, and at private parties for J.Lo, Mariah Carey, and more. He also serves as a brand ambassador for Monster...
From 2003 to 2006, Sounds was a DJ for Comedy Central's Chappelle's Show, for 19 episodes.
In April 2006, he became the host of MTV's urban music video program Direct Effect which later became Sucker Free.
He also had a comedy series on Tidal.
Luis Diaz, known professionally as Cipha Sounds, was born on April 19, 1976, in The Bronx, New York City. His early life in the birthplace of hip-hop fostered a deep connection to music. Despite considering a path in the armed forces, he pursued his passion for DJing, a skill he cultivated using an old turntable and mixer at home. His career began formally in 1996 as an intern with Wildman Steve and DJ Riz of New York’s Flip Squad. This initial exposure led to an opportunity to tour with artist Lil’ Kim for a year and a half, spanning across the United States and Europe, establishing his early professional footprint in the music industry.
Upon his return to the U.S., Cipha Sounds joined Hot 97, where Funkmaster Flex invited him to be part of the Big Dawg Pitbulls crew. He became a mix show DJ on Funkmaster Flex’s evening show and eventually secured his own program, ‘Cipha Saturdays,’ on the same station. His influence grew further with ‘The Cipha Sounds Effect’ on Sirius Satellite Radio’s Shade 45, which he hosted from 2004 to 2008. He co-created ‘The Juan Epstein Podcast’ and later ‘The Cipha/Rosenberg Experience’ with Peter Rosenberg, a show that progressively moved into prime morning slots on Hot 97, eventually joined by Ebro Darden and Laura Stylez. Sounds is recognized for being among the first to feature artists like Rihanna and Rick Ross on NYC radio. He transitioned to Angie Martinez’s weekday afternoon slot but was later dismissed from Hot 97 in 2015 after 17 years, shortly after criticizing management.
Following his extensive radio career, Cipha Sounds ventured into comedy. From 2003 to 2006, he served as a DJ for Comedy Central’s ‘Chappelle’s Show’ for 19 episodes, an experience that encouraged him to explore stand-up comedy. He developed ‘Don’t Get Gassed,’ a monthly stand-up series at Carolines on Broadway starting in 2007, and created the improv show “Take It Personal” at Upright Citizens Brigade Theater East. He has since performed at The Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village and hosted ‘Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks’ on truTV. In addition to his entertainment roles, Sounds managed artists through his company Jack Move, Inc., and held A&R executive positions at Rawkus Records, Tommy Boy Records, and Star Trak Entertainment. He was also the senior vice president of Jay-Z’s Roc-La-Familia label in 2005.
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