HOT 97 Mornings with Mero

On this episode of Mornings With Mero, the crew reacts to Rihanna revealing she has over 100 unreleased songs since her 2016 album ANTI. The crew also discuss artists holding unreleased music.

On this episode of Mornings With Mero, the crew discusses a Bronx woman and her 8-month-old baby killed in a balcony fall. In addition, Barack Obama’s new podcast and Will Smith’s upcoming “215” project with DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Mero, Miabelle, Kaz, and Shani Kulture break down Jay-Z potentially taking a 50% stake in Rihanna's Fenty Beauty and also discuss Chris Brown's custody fight with Diamond Brown.

It's Messy Monday on Mornings With Mero with Miabelle, Kaz and Shani Kulture. The crew discusses the Spike Lee Yankee Stadium incident, while callers share why they walked out on a date, plus Hip Hop Jeopardy and SYD ticket giveaways for Brooklyn Paramount.

Celebrity Co-Host Jim Jones talks about his early working years before music, sharing some of the jobs and experiences that helped shape his path.

Mero, Miabelle, Kaz and Shani Kulture kick off Wine Pon It Wednesday on Hot 97. On this episode MiaBelle talks on Diddy "apparently" living his best life in prison. Mero shouts out Spanish Heritage Month & also dives into a major Brooklyn 7 train story.

Rick Ross is reportedly taken into custody following a domestic incident, with Jasmin Kendrick sharing an alleged account of an incident involving Ross. Miabelle covers new laws in NYC, rent stabilization, SNAP changes and subscription rules.

Joanna Grell, co-chair of the “Freeze the Rent” campaign, joins the show to discuss the rent freeze starting today, October 1st. In “Do Tell Miabelle” We learn that Mayor Mamdani joined Nas in a YouTube video and visited the Bronx School of Hip Hop.

Mero, MiaBelle, Kaz and Shani Culture kick off Wine Pon It Wednesday on Hot 97. On this episode MiaBelle talks on Diddy "apparently" living his best life in prison. Mero shouts out Spanish Heritage Month & also dives into a major Brooklyn 7 train story.

Miabelle holds it down with Kaz as Jim Jones steps in to help keep the morning moving while Mero takes the day off. The conversation covers relationships, breakups and the idea of people changing after they leave a relationship, along with a tragic Midtown bicycle accident and a deeper look at New York City’s e-bike and scooter culture.  Music takes center stage with a look at Stevie Wonder and the release of previously unreleased material connected to the legendary Songs in the Key of Life era. Jim Jones also talks about his early working years before music, sharing some of the jobs and experiences that helped shape his path. The discussion also touches on the current job market and the challenges people are facing while looking for work. Then it’s time for Trauma Bond Tuesday, where listeners call in with the songs that carried them through heartbreak, betrayal and difficult relationships. From Alicia Keys and Lauryn Hill to Al Green and Keyshia Cole, the episode breaks down the ultimate heartbreak anthems and the memories attached to them. A full morning of music, New York culture, relationships, real-life stories and conversation on Hot 97.

It's Power to the People Thursday on Mornings with Mero. The Kid Mero, MiaBelle, Kaz, Shani Kulture and DJ Kast One start with a City Council bill to add speed bumps, medians and barriers in residential neighborhoods. Issa Rae's viral Variety Power of Women's speech about rich white men running Hollywood, which lands right before the Paramount and Warner Bros. merger.

The crew talks about guns found in city high schools and the tragic deaths of two Rutgers grads at Spring Street. They also back Macklemore as Ed Sheeran's tour falls apart and break down Drake's FOMO short film. Then the Hot Topic sets off a Caribbean rice war, with Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Trinidad all calling in. 

MiaBelle keeps the chair warm with Celebrity Co-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. 

On this Friday edition of Mornings with Mero, Mero, MiaBelle, Kaz, Shani Kulture, and DJ Kast One get the Tri-State ready for the weekend with blunt workplace talk, major New York headlines, pop-culture news, and the return of the Friday “Fry Your Opps” Hot Topic. The crew kicks off with a conversation about quitting jobs, two-week notices, workplace burnout, and knowing when it is time to walk away. 

 The crew discusses Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s political future, Mahershala Ali’s stalled Blade reboot, and the reality of creative projects that get developed, funded, and never make it to the public. 

The crew recaps Monday Night Lights at Hidden Tiger, where fans, friends, and special guests came out for football, drinks, and classic Mornings with Mero energy. MiaBelle breaks down the widespread airport disruption that affected major Northeast airports after an air-traffic-control data circuit failed and a construction-related cable cut impacted the backup system. 

On this September 21 episode of Mornings With Mero, the crew debates Drake, borough pride, Pusha T and the next crossover superstar. They also discuss Converse removing an ad.

On this Friday episode of Mornings With Mero, the crew discusses Michael B. Jordan, Colin Kaepernick, parenting, and college and wellness. Plus Hip Hop Jeopardy, Bryson Tiller ticket giveaways and more.

On this episode of Mornings With Mero, the crew discusses Macklemore, Drake’s FOMO visual project, and bringing back real-world skills in the age of technology and AI. The crew also discusses Chingy and his son’s conversation on fatherhood.

The crew talks the NY Latino Film Festival, Tory Lanez and food cravings. Plus Victoria Monét ticket giveaways and more.

The crew discusses Colin Kaepernick’s response to Jay-Z and the debate around accountability, business and the NFL.

Dave East joins Mornings With Mero to talk Harlem, basketball, music, Tupac and the culture of clout. Plus Hip Hop Jeopardy, listener giveaways and snack talk.

Chef Quie Slobert of Charles Pan-Fried Chicken joins Mornings With Mero to discuss Harlem’s fried chicken legacy, community, youth programs and taking the restaurant worldwide.

The crew discusses newly released 9/11-era air-quality records and celebrates Stevie Wonder’s upcoming New York performance honoring Songs in the Key of Life.

The crew debates accountability, public controversy and redemption surrounding Kanye West, Kid Cudi and Peter Rosenberg. They also discuss Fat Joe, Mark Lamont Hill, identity, language and the responsibility that comes with using derogatory terms.

Analilia Mejia joins Mornings With Mero to discuss her path to Congress, housing, healthcare, immigration and connecting with voters.

The crew discusses N.O.R.E.’s issues with Vlad TV and the Battle of Jollof’s Nigeria vs. Ghana rivalry.

The crew discusses the latest developments in the Tupac Shakur murder case following Duane “Keffe D” Davis’ guilty verdict. They also get into the ongoing 50 Cent and Rick Ross feud and whether the back-and-forth is beef or good business.

The crew debates the impact of AI and social media on hip-hop and everyday life. Mero also gets into adapting to technology, from supermarket apps to digital tickets.

The crew debates which celebrities can actually rap, including Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, Allen Iverson and Omari Hardwick, while reacting to Odell Beckham Jr.’s return and his impact on New York football.

Jim Jones joins as a special guest host to discuss his early hustle, basketball dreams, life in Los Angeles and hearing “Certified Gangsters” on HOT 97 for the first time. He also reflects on New York’s legendary club era and the attention it brought from the Hip-Hop Police.

Mornings With Mero keeps the conversation going with the latest in hip-hop, entertainment, pop culture, sports, and everything happening around NYC. Mero, Mia Bell, Kaz, Shani Culture, and DJ Kast One bring their personalities, jokes, stories, and unfiltered opinions to the biggest conversations making noise. From music and celebrity culture to the headlines, viral moments, and topics everyone is talking about, the crew keeps the morning moving with plenty of laughs, debates, unexpected takes, and real conversation. Tune in to another episode of Mornings With Mero for a mix of culture, entertainment, and NYC energy.

Maino joins the crew as guest co-host for a wild Wednesday morning on Mornings With Mero. The conversation gets straight into relationships as the crew tackles the question: would you date someone who’s already dating other people? Maino weighs in with his take while the crew debates dating, commitment, honesty and whether you can really have rules when nobody is officially exclusive. With Maino bringing his own perspective and energy to the studio, the crew keeps the conversations going with plenty of opinions, jokes and classic HOT 97 energy. It’s another morning of relationship talk, hip-hop culture and New York conversations with the crew.

Mornings With Mero gets into a heated relationship conversation as Mero and the crew debate whether it’s okay to date someone who is also dating other people. The conversation centers on honesty, commitment, possessiveness and being upfront about your intentions. Mero explains that he doesn’t believe people own each other and says that if you’re not ready to fully commit, the other person should be free to do what they want as well. Callers from New Jersey, the Bronx and around New York City weigh in, with the conversation repeatedly coming back to one major point: honesty. Then it’s time for Hip Hop Jeopardy, with callers testing their knowledge of East Coast Hip Hop, R&B, culture and Southern Hip Hop. A caller from New Rochelle gets stumped by a question about a posse cut featuring Noreaga, Big Pun, The LOX, Cam’ron and Nature, while Gail from Queens correctly answers “Lovers & Friends” and wins tickets to see Usher and Chris Brown at MetLife Stadium. The show also gets into Wine Pon It Wednesday, with Shani Culture and Mero celebrating their Caribbean roots, discussing Haiti, the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Labor Day and island food like Johnny Cakes, bakes and saltfish. Plus, plenty of jokes and classic Mornings With Mero energy throughout the show.

It’s Messy Mental Health Monday on Mornings With Mero! Mero, Mia Belle, Kaz, Shani Culture and DJ Kast One get into a real conversation about men’s mental health and the different ways men and women are treated when dealing with mental health struggles. Mero opens up about anxiety, ADHD and the pressure men can feel to keep pushing through instead of being given space to work through what they’re experiencing. The crew also discusses how mental health can affect the way the public views celebrities and whether men are given enough understanding when they struggle publicly. Kanye West becomes a major example of that conversation as the crew talks about his public behavior, mental health struggles and the importance of context while still holding people accountable for their actions. The show also brings the usual Monday energy with Hip Hop Jeopardy, where callers battle through East Coast Hip Hop, R&B, Southern Hip Hop and culture questions, including a caller winning tickets to see Chris Brown and Usher. Plus, plenty of jokes, opinions and unpredictable Mornings With Mero moments to kick off the week!

It’s FRIED-DAY on Mornings With Mero! Mero, Mia Belle, Kaz, Shani Culture and DJ Kast One kick off the Friday show with jokes, wild childhood stories, old-school games and another round of Hip Hop Jeopardy. The crew also talks about artists getting booed early in their careers, including Lauryn Hill’s legendary Apollo story, while Mero shares his own experiences dealing with hecklers. Plus, the show gets nostalgic about growing up with outdoor games, basketball, board games and finding ways to stay entertained before everything was available at your fingertips. Then Mia Belle breaks down the highly anticipated Joe vs. Donell Jones Verzuz, with the crew discussing Donell Jones’ catalog, his performance and bringing out 702, while Joe comes ready to compete with powerful vocals and surprise appearances from 50 Cent, Yayo and Uncle Murda. The crew debates the battle and gives Joe the edge while celebrating the return of R&B competition. Plus, Jordan’s final day as an intern, more old-school slang, Hip Hop Jeopardy and plenty of unpredictable Friday energy!

Mero, Mia Bell, Kaz, Shani Culture and the crew are back with another wild morning on Mornings With Mero. Mero kicks things off with a hilarious breakdown of why family vacations aren’t really vacations for parents, while the crew shares their own stories about road trips, kids, family reunions and trying to escape the chaos. The crew also gets into a study linking major music releases to an increase in car accidents and debates whether certain songs really make people drive differently. Plus, Hip Hop Jeopardy gives one lucky listener $100 to spend at Stop & Shop. Then, Oscar Napa, founder of legendary Uptown destination Locksmith, joins the show to talk about the restaurant’s NYC roots, its evolution, food, nightlife and the hospitality that keeps people coming back. Oscar also talks about Locksmith’s unforgettable Knicks playoff atmosphere, including Mamdani pulling up to watch the Knicks and experience the energy inside the Washington Heights staple.

Mero, Mia Bell, Kaz and Shani Culture get into the debate over gentle parenting, strict parenting and whether kids should be allowed to curse. The crew also breaks down surrogacy, adoption, foster care and some wild stories surrounding parenthood. Plus, they dive into 2K, microtransactions and gaming culture before putting listeners to the test with Hip Hop Jeopardy! for a chance to win $100. Then it’s Wine Pon It Wednesdays, with the crew celebrating their cultures and sharing hilarious stories about growing up as first-generation kids, traveling back to their family’s homelands, childhood summers, culture shock and what it means to feel connected to both New York and “back home.”

Mero, Mia Bell, Kaz, Shani Culture and DJ Kast One get into a packed morning of hot takes, jokes and real conversations. The crew breaks down Stephen A. Smith being called out over his comments about Black women and debates whether he needs to take accountability and “take his licks.” They also get into the different levels of an apology, old-school CD memories, classic R&B, and whether Essence got its list of the greatest R&B songs right. The crew keeps the conversation moving from Stephen A. Smith and celebrity accountability to the nostalgia of buying CDs and discovering albums before streaming changed everything. They debate what makes an R&B song truly timeless, share some hilarious personal takes, and put another caller through the pressure of Hip Hop Jeopardy. It’s another unpredictable morning full of music, culture, comedy and plenty of opinions.

LisaRaye is calling out Yung Miami, and the crew gets into the latest celebrity drama, internet reactions, and why some OGs have absolutely no problem saying what’s on their minds. Mero and the crew keep it raw as they break down the conversation and everything surrounding it. Mero also opens up about getting older and how your guilty pleasures get guiltier, from late-night cereal and fast food to realizing your body doesn’t recover like it used to. The crew also talks Russell Westbrook’s retirement, Lionel Richie throwing shots at Chris Brown, and legendary figures who eventually stopped filtering themselves. The conversation keeps moving through social media clapbacks, NYC politics, daycare costs, and Mero’s son’s basketball game as the crew jokes about Gen Alpha being allergic to the paint and obsessed with shooting threes. Then it’s time for Hip Hop Jeopardy, putting the Tri-State’s hip-hop knowledge to the test before the crew gets into the greatest hip-hop beats of all time.

Mero and the crew are back with another wild morning, breaking down the realities of getting older and how your guilty pleasures get guiltier. From late-night cereal turning into a full-blown disaster to realizing the days of Taco Bell, White Castle, and reckless eating are officially behind you, Mero gets brutally honest about aging. The crew also gets into Russell Westbrook’s retirement, Lionel Richie taking a hilarious shot at Chris Brown, why legendary OGs eventually stop filtering themselves, and the unwritten rules of clapping back at people online. Plus, Mero talks parenting, basketball, Gen Alpha’s obsession with three-pointers, and why everybody suddenly thinks they’re nice on the driveway. Then it’s time for Hip Hop Jeopardy, where callers put their hip-hop knowledge to the test for a chance to win. Another chaotic, hilarious, and completely unfiltered morning with Mero and the crew.

Mero and the crew are back with another wild morning, breaking down the realities of getting older and how your guilty pleasures get guiltier. From late-night cereal turning into a full-blown disaster to realizing the days of Taco Bell, White Castle, and reckless eating are officially behind you, Mero gets brutally honest about aging. The crew also gets into Russell Westbrook’s retirement, Lionel Richie taking a hilarious shot at Chris Brown, why legendary OGs eventually stop filtering themselves, and the unwritten rules of clapping back at people online. Plus, Mero talks parenting, basketball, Gen Alpha’s obsession with three-pointers, and why everybody suddenly thinks they’re nice on the driveway. Then it’s time for Hip Hop Jeopardy, where callers put their hip-hop knowledge to the test for a chance to win. Another chaotic, hilarious, and completely unfiltered morning with Mero and the crew.

Mero and the crew are back with another wild morning, breaking down the realities of getting older and how your guilty pleasures get guiltier. From late-night cereal turning into a full-blown disaster to realizing the days of Taco Bell, White Castle, and reckless eating are officially behind you, Mero gets brutally honest about aging. The crew also gets into Russell Westbrook’s retirement, Lionel Richie taking a hilarious shot at Chris Brown, why legendary OGs eventually stop filtering themselves, and the unwritten rules of clapping back at people online. Plus, Mero talks parenting, basketball, Gen Alpha’s obsession with three-pointers, and why everybody suddenly thinks they’re nice on the driveway. Then it’s time for Hip Hop Jeopardy, where callers put their hip-hop knowledge to the test for a chance to win. Another chaotic, hilarious, and completely unfiltered morning with Mero and the crew.

Mero and the crew are back with another wild morning, breaking down the realities of getting older and how your guilty pleasures get guiltier. From late-night cereal turning into a full-blown disaster to realizing the days of Taco Bell, White Castle, and reckless eating are officially behind you, Mero gets brutally honest about aging. The crew also gets into Russell Westbrook’s retirement, Lionel Richie taking a hilarious shot at Chris Brown, why legendary OGs eventually stop filtering themselves, and the unwritten rules of clapping back at people online. Plus, Mero talks parenting, basketball, Gen Alpha’s obsession with three-pointers, and why everybody suddenly thinks they’re nice on the driveway. Then it’s time for Hip Hop Jeopardy, where callers put their hip-hop knowledge to the test for a chance to win. Another chaotic, hilarious, and completely unfiltered morning with Mero and the crew.

Mero, Mia Bell, Kaz and the crew are back with another packed morning on Hot 97. Mero opens up about getting unexpected advice from his son, sparking a conversation about how wisdom can come from people younger than you. The crew shares their own experiences with younger family members giving them perspective and reminds listeners that you can learn something from anybody. The conversation takes a hilarious turn as the crew gets into cigarettes, New York bodegas, the rising price of a pack and Mero’s story about trying to find wraps at a Brooklyn bodega. Things get more serious when the crew learns on-air about the passing of Mecca Obe and takes a moment to remember his impact on New York’s culture, journalism and creative community. Mero and the crew then debate LeBron James, basketball fundamentals and what young players should be developing early, before expanding the conversation into soccer, youth development and the different paths athletes can take to build careers in sports. They also discuss the limited number of NBA roster spots, baseball salaries and just how difficult it is to make it professionally. Then it’s time for Hip Hop Jeopardy, as callers put their East Coast hip hop knowledge to the test for a chance to win. The crew runs through questions about Brooklyn rap history, Big Pun and Special Ed before celebrating another winner. Later, the show turns into a full-on sneaker debate after a viral graphic compares the footwear collections of some of the biggest ’90s sitcom stars: Martin Lawrence, Jerry Seinfeld, Dwayne Wayne and Will Smith. Mero and the crew break down who had the strongest collection, which sneakers have stood the test of time and which pairs are strictly products of their era. Plus, the crew talks the Dominican parade, their favorite Caribbean islands, an eclipse happening that night, the YouTube chat and plenty of the unpredictable conversations that make Mornings With Mero one of the wildest shows on Hot 97.

The Crew! Back with another round of Hip Hop Jeopardy, putting callers from Brooklyn, Long Island, Harlem and Washington Heights to the test. The crew runs through East Coast hip hop, R&B, culture and Southern hip hop with questions about Future, En Vogue, Leaders of the New School and Silk Sonic. After a few tough misses and plenty of jokes from the crew, a caller from Washington Heights gets the final question right and takes home a one-year Planet Fitness membership. Plus, Mero and the crew keep the morning moving with Hot 97 News, Flex and Nessa TV promos, Bridging Cultures, music and plenty of classic Hot 97 energy.

Mero, Mia Bell, Kaz, Shani Culture and DJ Kast One kick off Monday with Hip Hop Jeopardy, putting callers to the test with East Coast hip hop, R&B and Southern hip hop questions. The crew also debates whether it’s harder to find love after 35, with one caller suggesting arranged marriages for people over 30. Later, Mero and the crew discuss the Insecure 10-year anniversary celebrations and Amanda Seales being left out of the reunions, including her comments about having to be her own biggest cheerleader.

Mero, Mia Belle, Kaz, Shani Culture, and DJ Kast One are live for a Friday edition of Mornings With Mero. The crew debates spending real money in video games, plays Hip Hop Jeopardy for a Planet Fitness membership, swaps stories about events where nobody showed up, debates air fryers and fried salmon, reacts to Mero’s raccoon encounter, and breaks down Phoenix Flex’s AI controversy surrounding his hit “Rubbers.”

Mia Bell, Mero, Kaz, Shani Culture, and DJ Kast One are back for Power to the People Thursday. The crew debates whether MySpace should really make a comeback, checks out their wild social media algorithms, and plays Hip Hop Jeopardy for a chance to win a year-long Planet Fitness membership. Plus, Mouse Jones joins the show to talk about his journey in media, the importance of live entertainment, working with Tommy Davidson, and the return of Dead Ass Comedy to New York City.

Mia Bell takes over the Mind of Mia Bell and breaks down Trina’s comments about relationships, money, providing, and supporting your partner’s career. The crew debates 50/50 relationships, shared bank accounts, women being the breadwinners, and whether you’d be comfortable with your partner getting major attention in the public eye. Then it’s time for Hip Hop Jeopardy, with callers battling across East Coast Hip Hop, R&B, Culture, and Southern Hip Hop for a year-long Planet Fitness membership. Plus, Brooklyn and Puerto Rican boxing star Edgar Berlanga joins the show after his huge Madison Square Garden victory. Berlanga talks about getting knocked down and coming back stronger, representing New York and Puerto Rico, his championship ambitions, working with Zuffa Boxing, meeting Jay-Z, his growing presence in entertainment, his music, and his plans to expand into wrestling and other ventures.