NYC Radio: Hot 97 Was On Kid Mero's Bucket List

Comedian and podcaster The Kid Mero (born Joel Martinez) has launched his new morning show, "Hot 97 Mornings With Mero," on legendary New York hip-hop station Hot 97 (WQHT-FM 97.1). The program, airing weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. EST, debuted on January 13, 2026, and directly replaces the long-running "Ebro in the Morning," hosted by Ebro Darden, Peter Rosenberg, and Laura Stylez, which ended in December 2025 after nearly 13 years.

The move is seen as a strategic win for Hot 97 in its ongoing competition with rival Power 105.1. Mero, a Bronx native, brings authentic New York energy, sharp humor, and strong ties to internet and hip-hop culture. Station executives praised him as "New York" personified—authentic, fearless, and deeply connected to the community—positioning the show to set the daily tone for listeners with commentary on music, sports, culture, current events, and guest interviews.

Mero, 42, described landing the slot as a bucket-list achievement and a responsibility to carry forward Hot 97's legacy. He grew up idolizing the station, recalling blunt rides listening to Funkmaster Flex freestyles and mixtapes, calling it the "pinnacle of life." His high-energy, ad-lib-heavy style draws directly from classic radio and mixtape DJs like Flex, DJ Clue, and DJ Whoo Kid, whose ecstatic drops and enthusiasm shaped his podcast delivery.

A graffiti writer turned Twitter comedian turned podcast star, Mero rose to fame co-hosting the "Bodega Boys" podcast and "Desus & Mero" on Vice and Showtime with Desus Nice. He now hosts the "Victory Light" podcast and "7PM in Brooklyn" alongside Carmelo Anthony. 

Though a radio novice, his internet-savvy fanbase and unfiltered, foulmouthed persona make him both a natural fit and a bold risk for the station, restoring a raw, hometown vibe to Hot 97's mornings.

In his first shift interview, Mero likened the New York roots bonus to finding "a brick of cash in the trunk" of a used car—unplanned but invaluable.