Name: Peter Rosenberg
Age: 30
Neighborhood: West Side FO LIFE (Well the Upper West Side, really — and until I move to a new neighborhood, more than “life”)
Occupation: Hot 97 radio personality, host of the hip-hop interview series Noisemakers at 92Y Tribeca (Diddy will be his guest on July 6).
Who’s your favorite New Yorker, living or dead, real or fictional?
Tie between Woody Allen, Paul Simon, and Big Pun. I would love to have Woody and Paul on Noisemakers one day — we could re-create that scene from Annie Hall. Amazing.
What’s the best meal you’ve eaten in New York?
Food is the best thing going in this town, so that’s very tough. Chin Chin, maybe? Or a BBQ chicken burrito at Harry’s? Flor De Mayo half chicken with plantains?!
In one sentence, what do you actually do all day in your job?
I make fun of rappers that I love and hate, do some news, and generally act like a witty buffoon.
Would you live here on a $35,000 salary?
If I was still on Hot 97, yes.
What’s the last thing you saw on Broadway?
Fela! …
Do you give money to panhandlers?
My Jewish guilt always makes me give money to panhandlers if I have it, but I would rather give it to people who play music.
What’s your drink?
Diet Coke, or if I’m drinking, which is rare — a Lebowski (white Russian).
How often do you prepare your own meals?
I cook turkey burgers now and then, but more often than not I eat out, or my beautiful shiksa cooks for me.
What’s your favorite medication?
Marijuana.
What’s hanging above your sofa?
Nothing, but over my turntables is a beautiful tapestry that my dad picked up in Israel.
How much is too much to spend on a haircut?
Over twenty bucks.
When’s bedtime?
Unfortunately, almost never before 12, even though I have to be up by 4:30 a.m.
Which do you prefer, the old Times Square or the new Times Square?
My parents never even took me near the old Times Square. That said, I don’t love the new one either, beyond how it looks in photos at night.
What do you think of Donald Trump?
He has negatively affected WrestleMania more than once.
What do you hate most about living in New York?
That summer stench.
Who is your mortal enemy?
I don’t want to give these guys any light, so I’ll just say D.J.**** and Glenn Be*k.
When’s the last time you drove a car?
When I was back home in Maryland a few weeks ago.
How has the Wall Street crash affected you?
Big-time. Big-time. My whole portfolio, you know — went pshhh — like, all of my big stocks and bonds and stuff went like, woooooooooo. You know when you’re a big investor like me. I read The Wall Street Journal and keep my eye on the Nasdaq reports. I watch MSNBC and look at the numbers on the bottom. I have a TI-82 calculator just for situations like this. Buy low, sell high. You know what I’m saying.
Times, Post, or Daily News?
The most surprising thing about New York is that most people read just absolute shit on a daily basis. It’s almost disgraceful. THAT being said, I do too. The Daily News. Sorry, Dad — the Times takes too long at 5 a.m.!
Where do you go to be alone?
Outside in front of the radio station on Hudson Street. It’s not really alone, but nowhere in this city is really alone.
What makes someone a New Yorker?
The need to eat like a fat pig really late at night.
