Hot 97 DJ Apologizes for ‘Don’t Mess With Haitian Girls’ Joke

Members of the Haitian community are calling for a boycott against New York City on-air personality DJ Cipha Sounds, after he made unflattering comments regarding Haitian women and HIV-prevention.

The DJ, who hosts a show on local radio station, Hot 97, jokingly remarked that he doesn't have sex with Haitian women for fear that he will contract the virus. "The reason I'm HIV negative is 'cause I don't mess with Haitian girls," he said. The remark outraged some Haitians who took to flooding the station's lines with complaints and posted their disapproval via Twitter and Facebook.

Following the backlash, the 34-year-old issued an on-air apology. "I made a stupid, tasteless joke that was a one-liner that was taken totally the wrong way," he said. "I want to say sincerely that I apologize. I do nothing but rep for the Haitian people, but I said something stupid that I'm embarrassed about." Despite the apology some local Haitian leaders remained outraged and have called for the DJ to get fired. They are also planning to rally outside the station today.

Cipha is one-third of 'The Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg Show,' which airs weekday mornings from 5AM to 10AM, alongside co-host Peter Rosenberg and radio personality K. Fox.