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Hot 97’s radio shake-up has turned the New York City radio scene on its head. On Monday (January 12), the radio station revealed that popular media personality, The Kid Mero, would be taking over their 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. morning slot.
Joe Budden Shows Skepticism Over Hot 97’s Rollout
Mero will have a tough act to follow. In December, the radio station nixed its flagship show Ebro in The Morning with Laura Stylez and Peter Rosenberg after 13 years. Following the announcement, Joe Budden expressed skepticism about the incoming Hot 97 host.
“This is what I think: I ain’t y’all. I laughed for a long time when they announced Mero, and that was it,” he started.
Joe said that the main thing he is skeptical about is Mero’s supporting cast. During the rollout of Hot 97’s Mero stands alone in the promo poster. Which is what it feels is “putting a lot of pressure” on the incoming host.
“I’m like, ‘Where the f*ck everybody else?’ Either they saved a whole lot of money, because who the hell is Mero just up there,” Joe continued. ” They didn’t even announce a crew, a friend… On the poster, it’s just Mero…. Don’t announce me by myself. Somebody’s gotta be behind me. He just looks lonely in the picture. We just fired five n****s and Laura. Ebro walking around Apple and sh*t. You’re putting a lot of pressure on one man.”
Joe budden podcast reacts to kid mero getting the hot 97 morning show position pic.twitter.com/ESoUHQvnO7
— joebuddenclips/fanpage (@chatnigga101) January 14, 2026
Despite Joe’s skepticism, Mero does come with an extensive media history. He was initially one of the co-hosts of the Desus and Mero show, which aired on Vice network and eventually Showtime. Currently, he is a co-host of 7 P.M. in Brooklyn, a talk show that he does with NBA Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony.
However, only time will tell if Hot 97 made the right decision.
