Cipha Sounds Effect Known as much for breaking records as for his professionalism and talent, DJ Cipha Sounds is changing the face of the music business. A serious and dedicated DJ, 25-year-old CIPHA SOUNDS is a true music fan who is knowledgeable about all kinds of music from underground hip hop to eighties electronic music. Essential to any hard core party, club gig or upscale industry event, Cipha continues to have an undeniable impact on the music industry. Born in the Bronx, Cipha moved with his family to Long Island in 10th grade. Shy by nature, Cipha had trouble relating to his suburban peers and turned to music as his creative and emotional outlet. When his stepfather gave him two old turntables, Cipha rigged them up and taught himself to spin, discovering his natural talent for DJ'ing. With hopes of becoming a professional DJ, Cipha studied the skills of legendary DJ's Premiere, Pete Rock, Scratch, and Kid Capri. An internship with Wildman Steve and DJ Riz proved to be fruitful as the duo took Cipha under their wing. Riz, a member of the elite group of New York City DJ's known as Flip Squad, began taking Cipha to parties where he watched Riz work the crowd. Eventually Riz asked Cipha to open for him and helped launch his career as a first class DJ. The opportunity of a lifetime presented itself when Lil' Kim asked Cipha to go on the tour with her, a job he stayed at for a year and a half. The tour took him across the country and to Europe and bought him tremendous acclaim and notoriety. Upon his return, FunkMaster Flex took Cipha in to be a part of his Big Dawg Pit Bull crew of DJ's. Soon thereafter, Cipha became the featured DJ at clubs where he had once opened for others. Instantly, the jobs rolled in at New York's major clubs including: Limelight, Palladium, Tunnel, Webster Hall, China Club, Club Cheetah, NV, Spa and Speeed. Cipha's hard-hitting style was quickly recognized by the most important players in the music industry. The most sought after gigs were offered to him and he exceeded even the toughest audience's expectations. He's played gigs ranging from parties for the Notorious B.I.G., Noreaga, Busta Rhymes, Nas, DMX, Shaquille O'Neal, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, Lil Kim, Eminem, Neptune's, Spike Lee, Fat Joe, Puff Daddy to Mariah Carey's Halloween and New Years Eve Parties to the Puerto Rican Day Parade, The Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation Benefit and The Fresh Air Fund. MTV has also hired Cipha to co-host MTV Jams with Flex during the summer of 1998 and to appear on MTV Spring Break Cruise. He currently hosts and is the DJ of his own show on Hot 97 New York on Saturday mornings, and recently was featured in the Spike Lee's movie "25th Hour" starring Rosario Dawson, Ed Norton and Barry Pepper. Cipha's popularity is no accident; his ability to "read a room" is uncanny. He can play aggressively, changing records fast for hungry and demanding crowds and can also spin laid back classics for industry functions. Cipha's choice of records is always on the money. His taste for hit music that other DJ's won't touch is remarkable. Single-handedly, Cipha is responsible for breaking artists like Juvenile, OutKast, 50 Cent, and Eminem and as well as songs like " Gimme the Light" by Sean Paul and "Grinding" by The Clipse. Other DJ's now take their cue from what Cipha is playing. This golden ear for fresh talent inevitably led Cipha to an A&R gig for Rawkus Records, TommyBoy Records and now The Neptunes Record Label, STAR TRAK Records, where he handpicks and develops future MC's. Although Cipha's goals are far-reaching, he never wants to stop DJ'ing. Says Cipha, "I live this". Still, he hopes to produce albums, act and own and run his own record label. Already Cipha has co-produced FunkMaster Flex's Mix Tape, Volume III and has a solo project in the works. Cipha Sounds has also started his own production company, JACK MOVE INC., which develops and produces new musical acts into stars of tomorrow, such as R&B twin sister group - NINA SKY. NINA SKY is slated for debut album release on Jack Move Inc./Next Plateau/Universal Records in late 2004, and DJ Cipha Sounds and his production company are producing the group. With his technological background, A&R instincts, and raw talent, there is no doubt that Cipha will accomplish all of these goals and that he is poised to conquer the music industry. Indeed, there is nothing he can't do. In addition, some of CIPHA SOUNDS other accomplishments include - resident dee jay for the very popular Comedy Central Network Show "Dave Chappele Show", and Comedy Central's 13th Year Anniversary Show @ The Hammerstein Ballroom with Comedians - DL Hughley, Wanda Sykes, SNOOP DOGG, and a host of other star entertainers, comedians, and performers. Cipha Sounds' latest radio accomplishment includes his own Satellite Radio Show - "The Cipha Sounds Effect" on SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO. Also, CIPHA SOUNDS has appeared numerous times on BET's 106&Park and BET's Rap City. You always catch CIPHA SOUNDS each and every Saturday morning from 9am to 2pm on his own weekly radio show, "CIPHA SATURDAYS' on Hot 97.1fm, where he is as clever and witty as you can imagine, being the On-air Radio personality and disc jockey. In addition to his own show, you can always tune into Hip Hop Radio in New York and get a laugh or two with Cipha Sounds, during FUNKMASTER FLEX'S Radio Show (Monday to Saturday) from 7pm to 12midnight, where CIPHA SOUNDS fills in weekly as an On-Air Personality talking with listeners and callers! It SOUNDS like a real successor has arrived! Join in. Back to DJs