Cipha Sounds, born Luis Diaz on April 19, 1976, is a multifaceted American DJ, comedian, and media personality of Puerto Rican heritage. He is widely recognized for his contributions to the music and entertainment industry, particularly as a DJ and television host.
His career began in 1996 when he interned with Wildman Steve and DJ Riz at New York's Flip Squad. This opportunity led to gigs at various clubs, ultimately catching the eye of Lil' Kim, who invited him to tour with her for a year and a half across the U.S. and Europe. Upon returning, Cipha Sounds joined Funkmaster Flex's Big Dawg Pitbulls crew on Hot 97, where he became a prominent mix show DJ and later launched his own show, Cipha Saturdays.
In addition to his radio work, he hosted The Cipha Sounds Effect on Sirius Satellite Radio's Shade 45 from 2004 to 2008, collaborating with notable personalities like Angela Yee. He also co-created The Juan Epstein Podcast with Peter Rosenberg, which transitioned into a popular morning show on Hot 97.
Cipha Sounds has the distinction of being one of the first to introduce artists like Rihanna and Rick Ross to NYC radio audiences. His tenure at Hot 97 lasted over 17 years, where he eventually took over Angie Martinez's afternoon slot. In 2015, he signed with ROC Nation, continuing his influential presence in the entertainment landscape. Sounds also made his mark on television, serving as DJ on Comedy Central's Chappelle's Show and hosting MTV's Direct Effect, later known as Sucker Free.
