It's Power to the People Thursday on Mornings with Mero. The Kid Mero, Mia Belle, Kaz, Shani Kulture and DJ Kast One start with a City Council bill to add speed bumps, medians and barriers in residential neighborhoods. Then they get into Issa Rae's viral Variety Power of Women speech about rich white men running Hollywood, which lands right before the Paramount and Warner Bros. merger. City Council members are also pressing Mayor Mamdani over his work with influencers and his use of Signal. Mero weighs traditional journalism against the new guard and tells the story of J. Cole asking if he was a blogger or a writer.

Kirk Franklin previews his new album, I Am What I Am, with a GloRilla track that samples Shawty Lo's "They Know." Callers celebrate birthdays, businesses and wins, including Soul Santa Solomon. On the Mind of Mero, Mero warns that online privacy is disappearing. Hip Hop Jeopardy gives away Usher and Chris Brown tickets. Lyricist Lounge founders Anthony Marshall and Danny Castro celebrate 35 years, talk about cultural wellness, and share news of an official Lyricist Lounge Day. The show closes with a freestyle from YOD ahead of his new album, Bread and Butter, out September 25.

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>

Mornings With Mero | Issa Rae Calls Out Hollywood, Mamdani's Influencer Heat and Kirk Franklin Samples GloRilla, Plus Lyricist Lounge Turns 35 | 9-24-26