Mero, Mia Bella, Kazeem, and Shani Kulture kick off Friday with a packed episode of Mornings With Mero. The crew talks self-awareness after Mero reflects on attending Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt 30th anniversary listening session, the legendary hip hop conversations that followed, and why sometimes you have to know when it’s time to go home.

The team dives into Phoenix Flex’s viral Summer Jam controversy, the debate around AI in music, vocal authenticity, and whether artists are embracing trends instead of creating their own sounds. Plus, they discuss the rise of 80s-inspired hip hop records and why every successful sound eventually gets copied.

It’s Hip Hop Jeopardy time! Callers compete for Summer Jam tickets with questions covering East Coast hip hop, culture, R&B, and Southern hip hop.

Later, the crew talks about AI-generated images, protecting your identity online, social media privacy, and the fear of people using artificial intelligence to profit from someone’s likeness. They also share stories about family parties, teaching younger generations classic hip hop, and passing down musical history.

Catch Mornings with Mero on HOT 97, Weekdays from 6am-10am

<p>Catch Mornings with Mero on HOT 97, Weekdays from 6am-10am</p>

HOT 97 Mornings with Mero

HOT 97 Mornings with Mero is a weekday morning radio show on New York's Hot 97 (6 a.m. to 10 a.m. EST), hosted by The Kid Mero (Joel Martinez) starting January 2026. The show features Mero's signature Bronx energy, comedic commentary, current events with a focus on New York City and hip-hop culture.  

<p><a href="https://hot97.com" data-ved="2ahUKEwi00rqp6cKSAxWJFFkFHQ8FKYoQgK4QegQIARAB" data-hveid="CAEQAQ" data-processed="true">HOT 97 Mornings with Mero</a>&nbsp;is a weekday morning radio show on New York's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rap-up.com/article/the-kid-mero-new-hot-97-morning-show-host" data-processed="true">Hot 97</a> (6 a.m. to 10 a.m. EST), hosted by The Kid Mero (Joel Martinez) starting January 2026. The show features Mero's signature Bronx energy, comedic commentary, current events with a focus on New York City and hip-hop culture.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

7.10.26 | Mornings With Mero: Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt Celebration, Hip Hop Jeopardy & The AI Image Debate

7.17.26 — Mornings With Mero breaks down Odell Beckham Jr.’s viral explanation of where his NFL money goes, including taxes, family responsibilities, and the reality behind athlete wealth. The crew discusses whether athletes are overpaid, Kyle Kuzma’s comments, and why context matters when talking about professional sports money.

Mero, and the crew also talk about how the creator economy has changed the way people approach hobbies, why everything doesn’t need to become a hustle, and the importance of enjoying things just for the love of it.

Plus, the crew debates phone culture at concerts, shape-ups and hairlines, celebrity dating age gaps, and gets a surprise wrestling conversation with WWE superstar Jacob Fatu. Jacob opens up about his legendary wrestling family, his journey from struggling years to the biggest stages, his Samoan wrestling roots, and how passion helped save his life.

Don’t miss Hip Hop Jeopardy, Summer Jam ticket giveaways, and more from Hot 97’s Mornings With Mero.

Odell Beckham’s Money Breakdown, The Death of Hobbies, Jacob Fatu Talks Wrestling Legacy & More

Mero, Mia, Kaz, Shani Kulture, and special guest host Will Mills break down Time Magazine’s Top 100 Creators of 2026, celebrating names like Drewsky, IShowSpeed, Mark Phillips, Kev On Stage, and more. The crew talks about how internet creators have become the new generation of entertainers, the importance of originality, consistency, and building a real community.

Mero shares a wild story from the SPs about an older woman trying to connect with him through her “Guru” story, sparking a hilarious conversation about recognizing when someone is shooting their shot. The crew debates flirting, mixed signals, and how people interpret attention differently depending on who it comes from.

Then it’s time for Hip Hop Jeopardy, where callers battle for Summer Jam tickets with questions covering East Coast hip hop, culture, R&B, and Southern rap. Plus, Will Mills talks comedy, viral moments, crowd work, and why creators have to stay true to their own style.

The conversation continues with internet debates around comedians, religion, freedom of expression, and knowing what kind of show you’re signing up for. Will also shares hilarious roast stories before the crew debates getting kicked out of clubs, security guards, and the ultimate embarrassment of being thrown out as a grown adult.

7.16.26 — Mornings With Mero: Time’s Top Creators, Hip Hop Jeopardy & Will Mills Brings The Chaos

Mero is joined by Brooklyn’s own Will Mills for another unpredictable episode of The Mind Of Mero, diving into fatherhood, relationships, food debates, and the wild conversations that always come up when the cameras are rolling.

Mero and Will break down the realities of raising kids, with Will sharing what it’s like being a proud father of six. The guys discuss the difference between having one child versus multiple kids, balancing responsibilities, co-parenting, blended families, and why keeping things focused on the children is the most important part of parenting.

The conversation gets real as they talk about relationships, cheating, trust, heartbreak, and the complicated emotions that come with love and loyalty. They also discuss baby mama drama, stepfathers, and the challenges of being involved fathers while navigating complicated situations.

Plus, Mero and Will debate the state of New York’s food scene, from the rising prices of donuts and the “donut economy” to beef bacon vs. real bacon, gentrification, and the foods that people refuse to compromise on. The guys also share hilarious food stories, including questionable peanut butter sandwich habits and the strange things people do in the kitchen.

Don’t miss another round of Hip Hop Jeopardy as callers test their music knowledge for a chance to win Summer Jam tickets, with questions covering classic R&B, Dr. Dre, Warren G, and more.

7.10.26 | Mornings With Mero: Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt Celebration, Hip Hop Jeopardy & The AI Image Debate

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