Video After The Jump
In this episode of People's Party, Talib Kweli and co-host Jasmin Leigh sit down with comedian, DJ, radio & tv personality, as well as close friend of Kweli -- Cipha Sounds. The interview spans Cipha making a name for himself DJing for some of the biggest names in hip-hop to later finding a new calling and success in the world of comedy.
Topics include Cipha cutting his teeth in broadcasting as a mix show DJ on Funkmaster Flex's evening show with Hot 97 in New York. He talks about how he found his love of Reggae music, where his surname originated from, Funkmaster Flex's under-appreciated role in underground hip-hop, and why Cipha wanted to become a DJ in the first place. He goes on to speak about his time as an A&R for Rawkus and Tommy Boy and outlines why he feels he wasn't a success in that role. He then reflects on what it was like being on tour with Lil' Kim and tells the story about one of the several times he was shot at while being her road with her. Cipha also shares his perspective of the N-word, speaks on his friendship with Peter Rosenberg with whom he hosted the 'Juan Epstein Podcast,' and he's asked if he felt like he was done dirty at the time he departed from Hot 97.
Later Cipha speaks on what it means to be signed to Roc Nation, and what his relationship with Jay Z has been like over the years of working together. Cipha tells about the two of them never missing the chance to take sarcasm shots at each other and goes on to tell how he met HOV when he was just getting his career off the ground with two singles under his belt at the time. He notes how much working with Jay and Roc Nation really helped him understand the music business. Cipha also touches on his taking a hiatus from radio and tv to pursue a career as a comedian, and talks about the hard road he faced like many others in that industry. He tells how he met Dave Chappelle, how that friendship inspired him, his love for improv, and his contributions to TruTV's 'Laff Mobb's Laff Tracks' comedy show. Finally Cipha goes into his outspokenness on the dangers of food addiction, which he's struggled with over recent years.
TIMESTAMPS:
4:33 -- Cipha is asked about his strong connection to Reggae music, and how that came about. He explains how he gained his affirmation for the genre when he got started on Hot 97, being asked to do the Reggae sets, then later getting deeper into the culture when he visited Miami and experienced the dancehall scene down there. Cipha also gets into how he got his surname through his immersion into the Five Percent Nation philosophy, details all the important things he learned under the tutelage of Funkmaster Flex while working at Hot 97, and they discuss how much Flex is underappreciated for his role in underground getting it's fair share of radio play during the 90's.
11:34 -- Cipha gets asked how he was able to stay relevant within the mainstream and underground worlds simultaneously. Cipha gets into how his interest in DJing had nothing to do with girls and free booze, with only a mindset of pushing the culture forward. Talib goes on to ask Cipha about his time being an A&R for Rawkus and Tommy Boy, asks what he feels makes a good A&R, and why they are considered the boogeyman of the industry. Cipha gets into how he viewed the role, how he felt like he was good at it, but why that didn't necessarily translate into being a successful one with a rude awakening he experienced when he assumed others valued loyalty as much as he did with his help of getting Rick Ross signed to a record deal.
19:12 -- Cipha gets into his experiences being on tour with Lil' Kim, recounting a story that involved Kim screaming in the greenroom during a show, and flipping over a table, leading to guns getting drawn, and bullet holes in their van as they peeled off from the scene. Cipha also talks about bringing Jarret Myer, the co-ceo of Rawkus to hardcore hip hop clubs to help him get an ear to the street. They later discuss the N-word and how it's use among hispanics is viewed differently in and outside of New York, Cipha speaks to his own personal rules of using the word, and Talib talks about how he's been finding himself using it less as he matures.
31:10 -- Cipha speaks to his friendship with Peter Rosenberg, with whom he hosted the 'Juan Epstein Podcast' on Hot 97. Cipha notes how many fights they had during the course of them working together, but always coming back through the common bond of their deep love for hip hop, and both having the same vision of the music coming first. Talib goes on to ask Cipha if he feels like he was done dirty when he was 'fired' from Hot 97, not taking his loyalty into full consideration. Cipha responds by outlining how it was a dark time at the station when it all occurred, reflects on what he learned from the experience, and shares his response to people that ask him why Flex didn't save his job.
38:01 -- Talib asks Cipha about his relationship with Jay-Z, and what it means to be signed to Roc Nation. Cipha tells how he got on with HOV when they were both in London while Cipha was DJing for Lil' Kim and Jay was on his first big tour during the release of his debut album 'Reasonable Doubt'. He details his friendship with Jay being similar to that of his mom's, constantly taking sarcasm shots at each other. He then goes on to tell about the notable people that he introduced to Jay, including Damien Marley, Rianna, Tru Life as well as others, and how working with Roc Nation really opened his eyes on how to operate effectively in the music business.
42:30 -- Jasmin asks Cipha about him stating that he left Hot 97 to pursue a career in comedy. He reflects on the long hours he spent in his basement sharpening his skills in comedy like he did DJing, only to realize the real way to stand-up success is on stage with a live audience and experiencing what it's like to bomb. Cipha also goes into how he met Dave Chappelle and became his regular DJ on the Chappelle Show, outlining how nonchalant he seemed when he found out he landed a regular spot on Comedy Central. They also discuss Cipha's love of improv, his hand in getting 'Laff Mobb's Laff Tracks' off the ground, and comedian's funerals.
53:31 -- Cipha gets asked about his straight-edge lifestyle, even though "he always looks high as f*ck", and why he feels the need to speak out about the dangers of food addiction being his number one struggle over so many years. He explains the things he felt that led to his substantial weight gain. He gives the reasons why he feels food addiction is the most dangerous drug. He speaks to how the covid-era has been especially hard for a guy like himself.
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