Hot 97 Dj Cipha Sounds says goodbye to New York City’s WQHT Hot 97.1 FM radio show where he served for almost two decades. Cipha made the anouncement earlier this afternoon [Jan.27]; severing his ties with the infamous hip hop station while noting that he was terminated.
The rumors from the NY Daily, suggest that Cipha Sounds ‘pink slip’ came one day after he issued his discomfort on his weekly ‘Juan Epstein’ podcast with friend Peter Rosenberg from his switch from his post on the morning segment with Ebro and Rosenberg to a ‘glorified mixer’ , and then again from his afternoon slot that he hosted when Angie Martinez abruptly left and went over to rival station WWPR Power 105.1 FM.
During the podcast interview Cipha says he gave his blessings and support to newly announced radio jockey ‘Nessa Nitty’ who will be leading the afternoon slot from 3pm – 7pm but he also stated that he wasn’t sure if he would return to the station given the recent shift.
” I would have been happy if I got the show for three months and I would have told ya’ll [the people] rock with me because it would have been a countdown. The more I started asking questions, the more little things started to come out. “
” Now, looking back now, I realized that our corporate bosses don’t know me…. I called up Nessa personally, and I said to her alot of funny s–t going on at the station, not funny business, just weird shit happening when they tell you when you have to leave. Nothing against you personally. “
“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 thing, and then a boss of another station came in and became our boss and told me another thing – Cipha.
All nice people, all different opinions on what the show should be and how it should run. “
If your an employee you must follow the rule of thumb and never speak ‘negatively’ of your employer and or the company, and clearly the newly hired director and co-executives were displeased and issued an immediate termination. Personally, I think the writings were on the wall here and they were looking for the right moment to get rid of Cipha. This was too timely, and strategic might I add.
Sidebar: I’m still pondering as to why Cipha would speak on this issue on his podcast and it seemed like Peter Rosenberg fueled the fire by initiating the conversation. However, Hot 97 has already started to gentrify, so there’s no shock over here.
” After 17 years, I’m leaving Hot 97. I’m changing my relationship status from it’s complicated to ‘single’ . It’s been an amazing ride – from intern to weekends to the morning show host , to fill the Angie’s seats in afternoons.
Many years ago of incredible, life-changing experiences and enough amazing memories to lost five lifetimes. The next move is already underway and I promise its going to be huge. Follow me at @ciphasounds. “
Cipha has enough talent and experience under his belt. In his twenty-year work experience he’s served as A&R, VJ, and DJ, for major record labels and MTV. Cipha also has his stand-up comedy show ‘Don’t Get Gassed’ which he’s gained much success since its inception in 2007. I’d say there’s much to be proud of here.
Interestingly Rosenberg touched on something that I heard the previous director, Karlie Hustle mentioned during a post interview after her departure from Hot 97 last year. Hustle says that when you have mastered you ‘skill set’ at job where you have been successfully great for a number of years, you then think about tapping into other dreams and or careers that you’ve never had a chance to do because of your commitment to ‘your job’.
Could it be that Cipha is now ready to do the same?
Gonna respond to everyone, I promise. This line at unemployment is crazy tho. Why did I do this on blizzard day?? Stupid ciph, stupid A photo posted by Cipha Sounds (@ciphasounds) on
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