Mero's off, so Mia Belle keeps the chair warm with special guest host Jim Jones for a Messy Monday. Kaz, Shani Kulture, producer J-Rod and Rainey on cameras are all in the building. The crew gets through the nor'easter, theories about the Brooklyn sewer climbers, and a Delta flight from Barcelona that filled with smoke. That sets up Jim's stories about getting kicked off a flight and flying with Big Pun before 9/11.

Jim looks back on the old label days as Eve talks about fighting for "Let Me Blow Your Mind." He calls the VMAs a commercial music show and explains why award shows have lost their spark. He weighs in on Ferg dropping "A$AP" from his name and how he still wears Diplomat proudly. He also tells how he passed on Rick Ross, Drake and J. Cole. It's all capped off with Instagram's new face-blur soft launch, a DJ Cocaine call-in, Hip Hop Jeopardy for Schoolboy Q tickets, and the "Let's Rap About It" 50th-episode gala on October 10 at American Dream.

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>