Audacy Classic Hip Hop “94.7 The Block” WXBK Newark/New York has announced the addition of Luis ‘Cipha Sounds’ Diaz as midday host.
Cipha Sounds will replace Nick Cannon Radio in the 10am to 2pm timeslot starting Thursday, January 26. Diaz is best known for his seventeen year run at Emmis Hip Hop “Hot 97” WQHT which included time in mornings and afternoons until his firing in 2015 for criticizing management. He has also worked for SiriusXM’s “Shade 45” and was the DJ on Comedy Central’s Chapelle Show.
He succeeds Nick Cannon Radio in middays at WXBK.
Audacy welcomes Cipha Sounds (Luis Diaz) as midday host for 94.7 The Block (WXBK-FM) in New York. He will be heard weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. beginning January 26.
“I’ve been a Cipha fan for many years, so we’re thrilled to bring him aboard the Block and add him to our weekday programming slate,” said Skip Dillard, Brand Manager, 94.7 The Block. “His talent, immersion in hip-hop culture and on-air execution will be a welcomed addition to our all-star team.”
“I am beyond excited to be returning to the airwaves in New York City,” said Cipha Sounds. “I thought I had done it all in radio and was extremely happy shifting into my comedy career, but ever since I heard The Block pop up, I realized how much I missed rocking hip-hop and R&B to the masses. It’s time for Cipha to come back home!”
Over the course of his DJ career, Cipha Sounds has helped introduce various artists, has shared the stage with some of the world’s biggest musicians and comedians, and has established himself as a respected figure in New York’s stand-up and improv scenes. He is also currently the host of truTV’s hit show “Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks.” Cipha got his start at renowned New York nightspots, before his talent for song selection and infectious personality earned him a spot at Hot 97. There, he moved up the ranks from Funkmaster Flex’s intern, to running his own show “Cipha Saturdays,” to finally hosting the coveted morning show. During his 17 years at Hot 97, and as a host on Eminem’s Sirius satellite station Shade 45, he helped launch the careers of artists like Rihanna, Rick Ross, 50 Cent, and Sean Paul.
In addition to picking hits for the radio, Cipha’s keen ear also led him to work as an A&R executive for a number of record labels, including Jay Z’s Roc-A Fella and Pharrell Williams’ Startrak imprint. He has also served as a live DJ for many artists in venues around the world and was the official DJ for Comedy Central’s “Chapelle’s Show.” He also performs standup comedy at clubs around New York City, including his weekly show at the legendary Comedy Cellar.
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com