Kid Mero began his tenure as the new morning-show host on New York hip-hop station Hot 97 on Jan. 13, 2026 [1].

The appointment places the personality, whose real name is Joel Martinez, at the helm of one of the most influential urban radio slots in the U.S. [1]. This transition marks a significant shift in the morning lineup for WQHT 97.1 FM, a station central to the city's hip-hop culture.

Martinez stepped into the role during a period of evolution for the station. As the voice of the morning drive, he is tasked with maintaining the station's reach across the New York metropolitan area while engaging with the evolving landscape of rap music and urban entertainment.

The transition to the morning show follows a trajectory of growth for the host. By securing the primary morning slot, Martinez moves into a position of high visibility within the competitive New York City media market, a move that typically influences regional trends in music and pop culture.

While the station continues to refine its programming, the addition of Martinez represents a strategic choice in leadership for the morning broadcast. The move aligns the station with a personality capable of bridging the gap between traditional radio broadcasting and the digital-first habits of younger listeners [1].

Hot 97 remains a cornerstone of the New York City radio dial, and the morning show is its most critical time slot for listener acquisition and advertising revenue. The appointment of Martinez is intended to stabilize and grow the audience during the early hours of the broadcast day.

“Kid Mero began his tenure as the new morning-show host on New York hip-hop station Hot 97”

The appointment of Joel Martinez to the morning slot at Hot 97 reflects the ongoing effort by legacy radio stations to integrate personalities who have established digital footprints. By placing a known entity like Kid Mero in the most lucrative time slot, the station seeks to maintain its cultural relevance in a market where streaming and podcasts compete directly with traditional FM broadcasts.