Don’t mess with Haiti. New York City radio personality Cipha Sounds’ mouth is thisclose to getting his butt sent to the unemployment line. Sounds has been suspended — indefinitely and without pay — from Hot 97 after infuriating local Haitian-Americans with an off-color “joke” about “Haitian girls” and the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

This comments sparked outrage in the Haitian community and dozens of activists and elected officials gathered outside the radio station’s Manhattan headquarters Monday morning to call for his resignation.

During the DJ’s live show — The Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg Show — on Friday, Cipha quipped that he is HIV-negative because he does not “mess with Haitian girls.” The station was flooded with calls and upset listeners also used Facebook and Twitter to voice their rage. Cipha Sounds, whose real name is Luiz Diaz, later apologized to listeners, calling it a “tasteless joke” but Haitian-Americans said saying sorry was not enough.

Hot 97 bosses first released a statement saying he would not be fired and was just a young man who had made a mistake. The controversial hip-hop station changed its tune overnight. The station has announced a three-part plan to address the fall-out from Diaz’s comment, beginning with an immediate, indefinite suspension for the DJ, who is one-third of the most popular AM broadcast in The Big Apple.

Diaz, a 15-year veteran on the turntables, will now be required to undergo sensitivity training focused on the Haitian community, specifically as it relates to the challenges its members have faced in terms of the HIV epidemic. HOT 97 also said it would work with local community leaders to promote awareness of HIV and programs to address the spread of the disease.

“Cipha made an immediate public apology and recognizes his insensitivity and the negative impact his comments have on all Haitians. 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,” said Alex Cameron, SVP/Market Manager of Emmis-New York.

“It’s a very regrettable and unfortunate circumstance for all involved and particularly because we know this is not the nature of this young man who has been an advocate of the Haitian community and a big part of our fundraising efforts for Haiti,” Cameron added. “He is committed to working with the Haitian community to make a difference and turn this negative incident into an opportunity for increased learning and awareness.”

The station’s announcement comes after a coalition of Haitian community leaders demonstrated outside the station’s headquarters Monday to call for Diaz’s immediate dismissal. Even Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined the protest.

“We are gathered here today to say to Hot 97, Cipha Sounds is guilty of a verbal hate crime,” Stringer announced to the crowd.

What do you think of Cipha’s punishment? Is it too harsh?

Cipha Sounds — a popular jock on NYC’s leading hip-hop radio station — is facing possible expulsion from the airwaves in The Big Apple after an off-color “joke” he made about HIV and women of color roused outrage among many in New York City’s vibrant Haitian community.

Cipha — real name Luis Diaz — is a 15-year veteran on the turntables, but he managed to enrage listeners Friday morning when he made this quip: “The reason I’m HIV negative is because I don’t mess with Haitian girls.”

And that’s about when all Hell broke loose.

The Bronx-born Puerto Rican immediately apologized after the station was flooded with phone calls and complaints. Cipha also found himself on the end of harsh backlash online, with users on social networking hubs like Twitter and Facebook users, slamming the deejay.

“I made a stupid, tasteless joke that was a one-liner that was taken totally the wrong way,” he said in an on-air apology. “I want to say sincerely that I apologize.”

 Cipha is one-third of The Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg Show, which airs from 5 AM to 10 AM. Diaz, Rosenberg, and K. Foxx share co-host duties in the show. Diaz, who also deejays parties and discovered Roosevelt Island songbirds Nina Sky, said during his apology that he does “nothing but rep for the Haitian people.”

“I said something stupid that I’m embarrassed about,” he added.

Many in the Haitian community refuse to accept Cipha’s backtracking and back pedaling. They want Diaz to resign or get him sacked. Haitian community leaders who plan to rally outside of the Hot 97 headquarters on Hudson Street Tuesday morning.

This isn’t the first time Hot 97 has been tossed smack dap in the middle of a racially-charged words war. In 2005, then station morning show maven, Miss Jones, was nearly sacked after she outraged Asian-Americans with “The Tsunami Song,” a slapstick parody poking fun at a natural disaster that killed thousands in the South Pacific.

We’re not sure what’s more insulting: Cipha’s racist “joke” about the health pandemic that is HIV or his assault on the English language.

“The Eerfquake?” What the hell is an “eerfquake?”

Sistahs, Stick Together and Never Settle for Less Than 100%! Equal Respect for All!

DJ Khaled has stepped forward to deny reports he was shot and killed after a four-hour police chase in Los Angeles on Monday.

Earlier this week, Internet rumours claimed a man resembling the Miami, Florida mixmaster had led cops on a race on the Hollywood Freeway before being shot by armed officers in Tinseltown.

Kanye West and T-Pain join DJ Khaled in this official music video for the track “Go Hard.”

British sources are snitching that 80′s hip-hop icons Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff will reunite for a new album in November.

“We’ve been asked so many times by fans but now Will really wants to do it…”

“We talk about it all the time but recently he came up to me and said he was very serious about it and wants to do something very soon.”

“It’s just a case of finding the time. We’re both so busy. You know, I’m on tour and he’s making movies this summer.”

“He’s the biggest superstar in the world now. We’re aiming for November.”

Jazzy’s new album “The Return Of The Magnificent” is in stores now.

Spotted At

New York City DJ Jus Ske has remixed eccentric hip-hop producer Pharrell’s album, “In My Mind,” dubbing it “My Mind Is Playing Tricks On Me.”

J.S uses instrumental tracks from songs popularized by Prince, Stevie Wonder, Outkast, Sting,
Smashing Pumpkins, Blur, and more. Jus Ske hangs on to vocals by The Neptunes’ head honcho.

DJ Jus Ske is currently signed to Allido Records and DJ’d for Pharrell on his Europe and Asia “In My Mind” tour.

Check out the album here:

http://www.zshare.net/download/my-mind-is-playin-tricks-on-me-zip.html