Hot 97 is officially turning the page, and the station is making it loud early in the morning. The legendary New York radio brand announced it is handing its coveted morning slot to Bronx native comedian and media personality The Kid Mero. The new show, titled "Hot 97 Mornings with Mero," is set to debut January 13 and will air weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Eastern. Video Mero steps into the role with a résumé that stretches far beyond punchlines. He is a New York Times best-selling author, a Writers Guild Award winner, and a proven voice in culture who knows how to balance humor with real conversation. The show is expected to cover music, sports, current events, and the kind of city talk that feels pulled straight from the group chat. Station leadership says the decision came down to energy and authenticity. MediaCo EVP of Content and Growth Kudjo Sogadzi described Mero as a natural extension of the station’s identity, saying Hot 97 has always represented the pulse of New York and that Mero carries that same rhythm. The move follows the unexpected end of "Ebro in the Morning," which wrapped in December after more than a decade on air. The show had been a fixture since 2012 and featured longtime voices Ebro Darden, Peter Rosenberg, and Laura Stylez. Their departure marked the end of an era and opened the door for a reset that many listeners did not see coming. With Mero at the mic, Hot 97 is betting on culture-first radio, personality-driven conversation, and a morning sound that reflects the city right now. The real question is how the streets respond once the alarm clocks go off.