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Hot 97 Suspends DJ Cipha Sounds for Haitian Comment

Posted Dec 22nd 2010 12:30PM by Nadeska Alexis
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On-air personality DJ Cipha Sounds has been suspended from his post at New York City's Hot 97 radio station after making a controversial comment earlier this week, which triggered members of the Haitian community to boycott the station.

Cipha, who co-hosts the station's morning show alongside hip-hop personality Peter Rosenberg, outraged Haitian listeners after making the joke, "The reason I'm HIV negative is 'cause I don't mess with Haitian girls." Although Cipha was quick to issue a full, on-air apology after making what he admitted was a "tasteless" joke, the station was immediately flooded with complaints from listeners.

On Wednesday, it was announced that the 34-year-old morning show host would be suspended indefinitely from his post at the station. A representative for Hot 97 explained that despite Cipha's apology, it was important to show listeners that their concerns were taken seriously. "Cipha made an immediate public apology and recognizes his insensitivity and the negative impact his comments have on all Haitians," explained Alex Cameron, SVP/Market Manager of Emmis-New York, the company which owns the station. "The Haitian community is an important part of our listenership whom we respect and value. The suspension is an indication of the importance we place on delivering a product that respects our Haitian audience." The DJ will also partake in "sensitivity training" that focuses on Haiti and the serious nature of the HIV/AIDS problem within the country.

DJ Cipha Sounds is a co-host of 'The Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg Show,' which airs weekdays morning from 5AM to 10AM on Hot 97.

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News, Busted, Say What!
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zaida

I understand how that comment may offend someone of Haitian decent especially with all that has happened in Haiti, but I also feel like it was a joke. Yes it was insensitive but it was a joke. If you listen to the radio show every morning you would know that they make tasteless jokes like that all the time about their own race and people ignore it.

January 04 2011 at 1:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

fabmovements

I know that he was making a joke, but it was not a joke in my mind i am not haitian but i know that HIV is a serious topic for any group, especially for black and latino americans, or did he forget that he was puertorican. It was a an idiotic comment on his part, many haitians are behind the scenes and in the forefront in the industry, i just hope that he didn't create too much bad blood.

December 28 2010 at 10:15 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jimmy Cain

It was offensive because it was true. Everybody knows the Haitians are riddled with AIDS and breed lik rats.

December 25 2010 at 2:41 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

kkildow69

Lita, I think you forgot the LO in front. Your comment is insane and clearly shows your lack of knowledge of the Haitian health stats. Flap your C-Sucker at someone else!

December 24 2010 at 10:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

lita

Looking at this guy's photo, he couldn't get that Haitian woman to have sex with him unless the lights were off and two bags were over his head--just in case someone turned the lights on. What a pig.

December 24 2010 at 8:52 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

stonehouse976

Look.....Every single person, at one time or another in their lifetime, has said something that was in poor taste that they had to go back later and apologize for. This case is no different.....except in the fact that while most people only think bad stuff in their head and don't talk about it, this guy actually did talk about it.....and now everybody wants to Crucify him!

December 24 2010 at 8:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

kkkabee246

IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT HERE WHY DON'T YOU LEAVE FOR YOUR WONDERFUL COUNTRY. BYE BYE

December 24 2010 at 8:26 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Gregory Schwartz

Unfortunately, Haitti is a total mess. You can blame the political leaders who are all crooks. Almost a year after the quake, the country is still in ruins. They received millions of dollars that the politicians stuffed in their pockets. So many countries contributed to their rebuilding efforts and the place looks like the earthquake happened last week. No improvements to be seen anywhere. Haitti is the poorest third world nation in the world. They always will be. Such a shame. We cant help them they are doomed>

December 24 2010 at 8:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

tripledawg3

RICK.....HE WASNT MESSING AROUND HE TOLD THE TRUTH
HE DOES NOT MESS WITH HAITIAN GIRLS AND HE IS HIV -
AND HE WAS ONLY TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE WHO DIDNT KNOW AND I THANK HIM VERY MUCH FOR THE FACT HE HAS AMERICAS YOUNG MEN BEST INTREST AT HEART.

BEST INTREST AT HEART

December 24 2010 at 8:14 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

The Jamaican

A artist from Jamaica sing about Gay people and they protest at his concert and that song was like 10yrs old if my memory is correct now he is in jail setup or or his own doing each of us have a destiny and you have to think about others because it also can affect us in the future.

December 24 2010 at 8:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply