The Kid Mero and Kaz are publicly blasting their own bosses at HOT 97, accusing management of creating a miserable work environment.
During a recent livestream, the morning radio personalities shared their frustrations with the New York Hip Hop institution in an unusually public denunciation.
“There’s a guy who gets paid two more zeroes than you, and you’re like, what does this guy even do?” Mero said, questioning the compensation gap between executives and contributors.
Kaz described the past several months as particularly difficult.
HOT 97 New York radio drama continues, the new hosts Mero & Kazeem go off live on air about their bosses this week for 15 minutes straight unfiltered, while adding that their ratings are better than The Breakfast Club – "the worst place I’ve ever worked at" – "weekly meetings and there’s the guy who makes 2 more 0s than you and youre like what does this guy even do… do not be discouraged we are in the era of independent media…" – "this is the worst place I’ve ever worked at in my life… this board that’s like 95 years old… I understand where Ebro Laura and Rosenberg are coming from…" (via Hot 97 Youtube stream)
— Victor Baez | Club Ambition (@itsavibe) October 17, 2026
“It hasn’t been a fun few months here,” he said. “We love HOT 97 and it sucks what it’s become.”
The livestream is no longer available on HOT 97’s YouTube channel, although independent creators preserved clips. Former morning host Peter Rosenberg also weighed in with his thoughts on owner MediaCo, accusing the company of relying on staffing cuts.
“They are trying to make this station work, and the only thing they’ve done as a company is fire people,” Rosenberg said.
Rosenberg made headlines almost a year ago after the station canceled Ebro in the Morning in December and several longtime DJs reportedly left. Meanwhile, DJ Akademiks has offered to replace Mero for $5 million if the station parts ways with him.
