Known as the place “Where Hip-Hop Lives,” New York’s globally recognized #1 radio station HOT 97 has teamed up with VH1 to give as an insiders point-of-view into the world-renowned radio station with the premiere of “This Is HOT 97.” The show starts Monday night, March 31 at 10:30 PM ET/ PT.
We have already watched the first episode of “This Is HOT 97” that will premiere tonight on VH1 and it seems to be more of a satire about radio station life. Imagine if the “The Office” added a hip-hop music element to it and you would have “This is Hot 97.”
In first episode alone, viewers will get to see Kanye West, Macklemore, and a few other celebrities to go along with the Funk Master Flex’s and Angie Martinez’s of the world.We had the opportunity to talk to current PD and morning show host, Ebro, Peter Rosenberg, Cipha Sounds, and Laura Stylez about their roles and what we can expect from the entire season of “This is Hot 97.”
After listening to their morning show quite a few times and finally talking to them, I can confirm that they are definitely an entertaining and comical bunch with just the right touch of sophistication when it’s necessary. After watching the first episode of the show, it seems to be like a satire As I watched it I felt like I was watching the hip-hop music version of “The Office.” Was that the intention behind the show?
Peter Rosenberg: Absolutely! You said the magic words. That was exactly what we were going for. The influence behind our show is like “The Office,” “30 Rock,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and all of those shows like that. But we are definitely on another level than all of those shows but that is definitely the feel of the show.
As I watched previews of some of the upcoming shows, I see that they followed you Peter into what looks to be your home. Does the show tap into all of your personal lives or does it mostly remain at the station?
Peter Rosenberg: It gets the most personal for me because I am a hog. I was very quick to volunteer. My wife has an aspiring television career as well so I thought it was a good idea.
Cipha Sounds: He pimped out his wife!
Peter Rosenberg: Yeah I did. My wife is hot! Actually there is not a lot in people’s home but they do follow us outside of the station. I think i’m the only one who was actually filmed in my home. (CLICK 
RADIO FACTS:I often listen to your morning show and I watched various youtube clips of the show. Will there be any of those classic debates between Peter, Cipha Sounds, and Ebro regarding commercial and underground hip-hop music and what should be played on the station?
Ebro: I don’t think we will because we do that stuff on the radio and we are trying to offer something different for the TV show. We kept it more about having a good time at the radio station but we definitely will still have those debates on the radio station, online, and shit like that. This show is really a good time and about allowing the world to come in and see some people working at the radio station that care about each other and having a good time doing it.
Ebro I know you are still handling PD duties until you all find a replacement but since you have officially stepped down as the PD of Hot 97 to do the morning show will we actually see the new PD on any episodes of “This is Hot 97?”Ebro: Yeah if we could ever find one!
Peter Rosenberg: Last time I checked Ebro was still doing all the work.
TheIndustry.biz : I know the show is like a satire but do any of you think the show will aid in dispelling any myths or misconceptions about radio or Hot 97?
Ebro: With this show We are tying show that once we get off the air, our office is just like your office. We got cool as jobs and we need to bring in celebrities but we also have office politics, we argue about food, and who messed up the bathroom. It shows how we are just regular people like everyone else and we have a great job.
TheIndustry.biz : Laura, In the first episode, Cipha and Rosenberg were sort of playfully treating you like you are a rookie. Is that one of the ongoing themes we will see throughout the season?
Laura Stylez: Well I am the newest one of the show and it happens but I’m not a rookie.
Ebro: You are new to the major leagues. Laura: Angie and Flex have been here forever but I am not that new.
Ebro: You wouldn’t be able to sit at the the adult table yet.
Laura Stylez: But I’m here and I may be a little new but I don’t like to admit it.
TheIndustry.biz : Looking at the show another theme seems to be that Cipha and Rosenberg are the self-proclaimed stars of the show. How true is that or who in the room will emerge as the real star?
Everybody: We all are stars! Peter Rosenberg: This is a show with 7 stars trying to come together to be one star. This is about establi
