(Star Trak / Big Dawg Pittbulls / Hot 97 / N.Y.C.)
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 the legendary DJ's Premier, 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 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 Pitbull 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, Roseland, NV, Life, Cheetahs, Nells and Speed. He has also gone overseas to such locations: London, Japan, Germany, Austria, Jamaica…etc to do the same thing he does here-TO ROCK A PARTY.
Cipha's hard-hitting style was quickly recognized by the most important players in the music industry. The most sought after venues were offered to him and he exceeded even the toughest audience's expectations. He's played at venues ranging from parties for the Wu Tang Clan, Noreaga, Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes, Nas, DMX, Shaquille O'Neal, Jay-Z, Jermaine Dupri to Mariah Carey's Halloween and New Year 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 most recently to appear on MTV Spring Break Cruise.
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, Cool Breeze and members of the No Limit camp and as well as songs like 'Horse and Carriage' by Cam'ron. Other DJ's now take their cue from what Cipha is playing. This golden ear for fresh talent inevitably led Cipha to an A and R gig for Rawkus and Tommy Boy where he hand picked and developed future MC's. Although Cipha's goals are far-reaching, he never wants to stop Djing. Says Cipha, 'I live this'. Still, he hopes to have his own record label. Already Cipha has co-produced Funkmaster Flex's Mix Tape, Volume III and has a solo project in the works, Soundbombing III. With his technological background, AandR 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.