Mero’s First Show Is Set for January 13, One Month After Hot 97 Canceled ‘Ebro In The Morning’ After a 13-Year Run
The Kid Mero is officially stepping into one of the most influential morning radio slots in the country, taking over mornings at Hot 97 following the cancellation of Ebro In The Morning.
The station announced Monday that Mero will debut “Hot 97 Mornings with Mero” on Tuesday, Jan. 13, marking a major shift in New York hip-hop radio after the end of a 13-year run for its longtime flagship show.
Mero framed the move as both personal and cultural, describing Hot 97 as a cornerstone of his upbringing and of New York City’s identity. In a statement, he said the opportunity goes beyond a career milestone, calling it a responsibility to carry forward the station’s legacy while adapting it for a new media era. He emphasized that the show will balance humor, honest conversation, and cultural relevance, promising an experience that feels authentic to the city and its listeners.
Station leadership signaled confidence in the decision. Kudjo Sogadzi, EVP of Content & Growth at MediaCo, described Mero as a natural extension of the station’s brand, pointing to his deep ties to New York culture, his fearlessness, and his ability to connect with the community.
Executives said the new morning show is designed to reset the tone of the station while creating moments that resonate across radio and digital platforms.
Mero succeeds Ebro Darden, whose departure from Hot 97 last month sparked significant debate within hip-hop media. On his final day on air, Darden accused station ownership of pushing him out because of his outspoken political views, arguing that broader corporate pressures and licensing concerns were reshaping what voices were allowed on mainstream platforms. His comments highlighted tensions between commercial media interests and political expression, particularly within urban radio.
Reaction to the end of Ebro In The Morning was mixed. Some listeners credited the show with shaping hip-hop conversations nationally, while others blamed it for what they view as a decline in New York’s dominance in the genre.
The controversy spilled into artist circles as well, with Drake openly taunting Darden and co-host Peter Rosenberg after the show’s cancellation, reigniting a long-running feud that had previously intersected with Drake’s public clashes involving Kendrick Lamar.
Adela Loconte/Variety
Since leaving the station, Darden, Rosenberg, and Laura Stylez have pivoted to a daily YouTube show, joining a growing number of media personalities shifting away from traditional radio in favor of independent digital platforms. The move underscores how rapidly the audio and commentary landscape is changing, even for long-established voices.
Mero enters the role with an established audience of his own, hosting the Victory Light with The Kid Mero podcast and co-hosting 7PM in Brooklyn alongside Carmelo Anthony. His appointment signals Hot 97’s bet that personality-driven programming and cultural fluency can anchor its next chapter.
